Dry Skin - Symptoms and Treatment

Dry skin can be bothersome and not attractive. There can be many factors that contribute to dry skin. The weather is a huge factor in your skin, and it is uncontrollable. In the summer, or in hotter weather you skin may be greasier and breakout more. In the winter and cooler temperatures you skin may be dry and crack. The best thing you can do is use different products and when you feel the weather starting to change change your routine right away. This gives you a jump start on dealing with the changes in your skin.

Symptoms of dry skin include: flaking, itching, scaling, and peeling. You can feel and see if your skin is getting dry. This is when you should be taking care of it and changing your routine to fit the needs of your skin better. When you take care of it right away you will not have further problems. If you let it go it can be harder to correct.

In the winter you are going to need to moisturize more. Your skin is dry and the best thing to do is moisturize it with lotion. Make sure when using lotion on your face it is meant to be used on your face. The skin is sensitive there and will break out easier so know what you are putting on it. In the winter if my skin is getting dry I will sometimes skip using a toner on my face a couple nights, or one night, depending on how dry it is. You need to adjust your skin care routine depending on what you skin looks and feels like. I will also put on a thicker night cream designed for faces and put that on at night. It really helps with dry skin. i use face masks once a week, if my skin is dry, I will use a moisturizing mask. For your body use regular lotion. If my skin is dry and it is pretty bad I will put on baby oil or baby oil gel at night and let it soak in. It is messy but it works really well. Also, in the winter you might need to put lotion on your body in the morning and at night, twice a day. I normally only put lotion on once a day. Try not to shower too much, of course get in one a day, but if you workout mid-day or shower twice a day, try to cut that back to just the one shower.

In the summer you skin can also change. It usually is more greasy and can breakout more. This is because of the heat and your body is sweating more. What I do to correct this is I will first use more toner, on my face. It helps soak up the sweat and corrects breakouts. I will use it every night. In the summer I still always use a face moisturizer, but make sure it is meant to be used on the face, and that it does not have oils in it. This will make your face worse. I like to look for "dermatologist approved" on the bottle. I will skip or hardly use my night cream on my face at night. When I do my weekly face masks I will use one that has coal in it or one that helps soak up the excess oil and helps clear up and prevent breakouts. Try not to put too much makeup on, it will clog your pores, make sure you are using the right makeup that is "dermatologist tested" and it should say "will not clog pores" right on the bottle. Usually I can keep with my regular routine of putting body lotion on. I hardly have my skin on my body feel greasy. I would quit putting lotion on if that is the case. Do not use baby oil or baby oil gel at night, of course. You only need to make a few changes to accommodate your skin in the summer months.

Dry skin can also be due to medication you might be taking or an illness. Read the side effects of all your medications, if it is a problem talk to your doctor. Common skin conditions that mimic dry skin are psoriasis and eczema. Psoriasis is a disease of the immune system. Your skin will have white scales with redness, and the skin is inflamed underneath. It is painful, itchy, cracks and bleeds. Eczema is similar, your skin is red, itchy, and it is caused by inflammation. I would say that if you have either of these it is dry skin times ten, or worse. If you have dry skin that will not go away or have symptoms like any listed above see your doctor or dermatologist.

Another reason why you might have dry skin is the products you are using. If you are using a face lotion that is not the right kind for your skin, like a lotion for breakouts. It will have drying agent in there to help breakouts, it will make your skin dry. Or even your laundry detergent, you might have sensitive skin, or be sensitive to something in that product. You might have a red itchy rash. If you get a rash think if you just started a new product, but think of everything. Body soaps, laundry detergent, dryer sheets for you laundry, or maybe your boyfriend or husband is using a new aftershave or cologne. Try to pin down what might be new and irritating your skin. Quit using it and see if it clears up. Of it does, that is the problem, if it doesn't see your doctor.

There are common things you can try for dry skin. Using lotion regularly, avoid scented lotions if it irritates your skin. Do not wear wool or rough fabrics, this will irritate your skin. Use mild soaps for sensitive skin and try to find one that has moisturizers right in the soap. Do not use hot hot water, try warm water. Hot water will dry your skin out. After showering pat yourself dry, do not rub, it can be irritating. Make sure you have good humidity levels in your home. Buy a humidifier for your house, or for sure your bedroom.

Dry skin is annoying and bothersome. Try a couple things to see if it helps. If you are not finding anything that works go to your doctor or dermatologist, they can help. It might be a skin condition if it doesn't go away or get better.