What is dry skin?

Dry skin is a very common condition, which can appear at any age. It usually doesn’t present a serious problem but can often be associated with other medical conditions such as eczema, contact dermatitis and psoriasis.

What causes dry skin?

The skin is made up of many different layers and forms a natural barrier to protect our body from the outside environment. To help protect the outer layer of skin from losing water, the skin produces an oily substance called sebum. If the skin doesn’t have enough sebum, it loses water and feels dry.

Common causes of dry skin include:

Excessive bathing or showering, scrubbing of the skin while washing, or harsh soaps that dissolve the protective layer of sebum
Environmental conditions that increase water loss such as very hot dry weather or central heating. Frequent exposure to wind and sun can evaporate water from the skin, making the surface feel itchy and dry
Decreased production of sebum. This is often a factor in the elderly.
What can you do to help prevent and treat dry skin?

There are lifestyle changes that can be made which can help treat and prevent future outbreaks of dry skin.

Stop smoking
Drink plenty of water
Watch the environment – dry air (low humidity) increases the risk of dry skin. Increasing humidity can help, which can be achieved by placing a damp towel on a warm radiator.
Reduce the length of your bath or shower
Avoid harsh soaps and bubble baths
These lifestyle changes may help reduce the dryness of the skin but further moisturising may still be required in which case emollients (moisturisers) can be used.

How to choose the best emollient (moisturisers)?

There are several types and brands of moisturisers – creams, lotions and ointments. As a general rule, the greasier and thicker the moisturiser is, the better and longer it works.

Moisturisers added to the bath should generally be avoided since they are likely to make your bath greasy and slippery, increasing the chance of falling. There is no evidence that they are more effective than moisturisers applied to damp skin after getting out of the bath. This is because as you dry yourself after bathing, the “moisturiser” added to the bath water is removed on the towel therefore it is not left on the skin

The most effective moisturiser will depend on the dryness of your skin, the area of skin involved, and your preference. Try to purchase small quantities of different types, to find a product that suits you.

Some general advice on finding the right moisturiser:

Use a lotion or cream for mild skin dryness and occasional flare ups of eczema
Use a thicker cream or an ointment for moderate-to-severe dryness
A lotion is often best for areas of hairy skin
Use a cream or lotion for areas of weeping eczema
Steps to take to soothe dry skin:

Stop baths and showers from worsening dry skin.When the humidity drops or your skin feels dry, be sure to:

• Close the bathroom door.
• Use warm rather than hot water.
• Limit your time in the shower or bath to 5 or 10 minutes.
• Wash with a gentle, fragrance-free cleanser.
• Apply enough cleanser to remove dirt and oil, avoid using so much that you see a thick lather.
• Blot your skin gently dry with a towel.
• Slather on the moisturizer immediately after drying your skin.
• Apply moisturizer immediately after washing. Ointments, creams, and lotions (moisturizers) work by trapping existing moisture in your skin. To trap this much-needed moisture, you need to apply a moisturizer within few minutes of:
• Drying off after a shower or bath
• Washing your face or hands
• Use an ointment or cream rather than a lotion. Ointments and creams are more effective and less irritating than lotions.

Choose non-irritating clothes and laundry detergent. When our skin is dry and raw even clothes and laundry detergent can be irritating. To avoid this:

• Wear cotton or silk under your clothing made of wool or another material that feels rough.
• Use laundry detergent labeled “hypoallergenic.”
• Add moisture to the air. Plug in a humidifier. If you can, check your home heating system to find out if you have a humidifier on the system — and whether it’s working.

Stay warm without cozying up to a fireplace or other heat source. Sitting in front of an open flame or other heat source can dry your skin.