Dry skin is the subject of countless advertising campaigns touting
the soothing virtues of everything from lotions and potions to pills
and gadgets and crazy diets.
The skin is the largest and most
visible organ of the human body. Because it is a living, growing organ,
it goes through changes over the course of a lifetime, depending upon
how old we are and what kind of lifestyle we enjoy.
The
moisture level of the skin is genetically determined, for the most
part. If your parents have dry skin, chances are good you will, too.
There are other factors that influence the moisture level of the skin,
including lifestyle, environment, and general state of health.
Excessive
exposure to the sun, wind, or cold climate has a very significant
effect on dry skin. Even a person who does not normally experience this
condition will notice an increase in the dryness of the skin when
exposed to these elements.
Certain chemicals, such as
cleaning solvents and detergents, tend to dry skin, too. And people
working with substances such as mortar and concrete, paper-based
packaging materials, and powdery substances such as flour and chalk
will probably want to take precautions against excessive drying of the
skin these substances cause.
One of the very best treatments
for dry skin is to avoid exposure to the substances and elements that
aggravate the condition. Sunscreens and moisturizers should be applied
frequently so protection is constant.
Drinking lots of water
on a regular basis will help minimize dry skin from the inside out.
Water hydrates the body but many other popular beverages are actually
diuretics, meaning they cause the body to excrete the body’s nourishing
moisture. Replace beverages such as coffee, tea, sodas, most fruit
drinks, and alcohol with water for maximum benefit to the skin.
To
further keep dry skin in check, limit cosmetic products to the mildest
possible formulations. Avoid shampoos, soaps, and other skin care
products that contain drying ingredients such as detergent, alcohol,
and excessive pigment and fragrance.
Whenever the best
personal care regimen using mild products and healthy lifestyle choices
still doesn’t seem to be easing the discomfort of excessively dry skin,
consult a dermatologist to rule out any underlying medical conditions
that may be causing the problem.
Since the skin is the most visible organ, it is often the messenger for distress coming from within.