Are you a victim of dry, itchy skin? Are you experiencing dry, cracked heels, eczema flares or skin rash reactions to seasonal allergies? You are not alone. There are a plethora of reasons that contribute to dry skin conditions. The trick to treatment is identifying the cause and applying the appropriate solution.
Some Common Causes
- Aging: As we grow older, our skin stops producing important lipids that are responsible for keeping the skin hydrated AND for preventing the loss of collagen.
- Hot Water: Taking hot baths and hot showers can actually melt the hydrating lipids out of the skin barrier. Remember the hotter the water, the drier the skin will become.
- Environmental: Climate can cause dry skin conditions. Particularly, hot desert climates.
- Occupational: Certain jobs including, health care professionals, restaurant workers and hair stylist’s experience dry skin. This is due to their hand washing practices. The constant immersion of their skin in the water also leads to dry, cracked skin.
- Swimming: As you may have guessed it, I am talking about chlorinated pools. Most pools add high levels of chlorine to them, which can dry out the skin.
- Skin Diseases: Skin conditions including psoriasis and atopic dermatitis (eczema) can cause extremely dry skin.
Once you are able to identify what may be triggering your dry skin, you can better access what preventive measures or treatment options to pursue. For example, if you are on the swim team, immediately shower in lukewarm water after swimming and use a mild cleanser to wash away chlorine. If you tend to stand under a scalding hot shower until the water runs cold, you are going to want to adjust your shower routine. Lets’ take a look at a few helpful solutions below.
Tips for Relieving Dry Skin
Implement New Shower Regimen
- Close the bathroom door.
- Run lukewarm water/avoid hot water.
- Limit bath/shower time 5-10 minutes.
- Wash with mild cleansers free of harmful toxins and allergens. Be sure to avoid sulfates and cocamidopropyle betaine and any glucoside surfactants. These chemicals are irritants and allergens to sensitive skin.
- Pat your skin dry with a towel that has been washed in free and clear detergent. Do not rub on the skin as this can exacerbate your condition.
- Moisturize 3-5 minutes after you pat skin dry.
Implement Proper Moisturizing Routine
As you may have guessed it, moisturizing is the most critical part of treating dry skin conditions. However, not all moisturizers are created equal and it is important to do it right. There are tons of moisturizing products on the market that contain known allergens and skin irritants within their formulas. Others, promote their formula as containing healing ingredients such as ceramides, but they do not utilize enough within their formula for your skin to experience the benefits.
Proper Moisturizing Tips
- Moisturize immediately after bathing/showering. The sooner the better.
- Moisturize at least twice daily! Up to four times will produce better results. Particularly, in cases of extremely dry skin or dry, cracked heels.
- Use TrueLipids Relieve & Protect Ointment. Ointments and heavy creams ensure proper moisture lock. Lotion is not sufficient as the only moisturizer in your routine.
- Use TrueLipids TrueTherapy Ceramide+ Cream. Ceramides help your skin’s barrier to repair itself. Particularly, ceramide 3. Your skin’s makeup is 47% ceramides. It is imperative that you replenish them for optimal skin health.
- Use the Ceramide+ Cream rather than the ointment after each hand washing.
- Avoid products that contain: lanolin, oatmeal, beeswax, olive and sunflower oils.
Wear Lip Balm
Are you one of those people who can’t leave the house without a lip balm in your pocket? Do you have one in your pocket, purse and vehicle? You may have a lip balm addiction. It is important to moisturize your lips. However, when utilizing lip balms that contain irritants, it can cause the condition to become worse.
Four things for you to avoid include: beeswax, preservatives, dyes, and fragrances. The TrueLipids TrueLips Lip Balm has been formulated without these additives. You will find it to be most effective in treating dry, cracked and chapped lips.
Use a Humidifier
Use a humidifier to relieve dryness in the air. Keep moisture levels between 40-50% and the temperature of your home between 68-75 degrees, for an optimal environment. The best place for your humidifier, is in the bedroom. This will help hydrate your skin while you are sleeping. However, if you live in a dry climate, you might consider installing a humidifier into forced air cooling and heating systems.
