By Darryl Rambo

Normal skin has a soft, supple texture because of its water
content. For skin to feel soft, pliable and "normal," its top
layer must contain a minimum of 10% water and ideally between
20% and 35%. To help protect the outer layer of skin from losing
water, the skin's sebaceous glands produce an oily substance
called sebum. Sebum is a complex mixture of fatty acids, sugars,
waxes and other natural chemicals that form a protective barrier
against water evaporation. If the skin doesn't have enough
sebum, it loses water and feels dry. If environmental factors
cause more water evaporation and overwhelm the ability of sebum
to prevent water loss, the skin will shrivel and crack.

Dry skin, also called xerosis, is a very common problem,
affecting people of all ages, even infants. Most cases of dry
skin are related to one or more of the following factors:

* Decreased production of sebum is often a factor in the
elderly, since the number of sebaceous glands in the skin tends
to decrease with age. Aging also may cause blood flow to the
skin to decrease, causing a drop in sebum production.

* Loss of existing sebum usually is caused by lifestyle
factors, such as excessive bathing or showering, excessive
scrubbing of the skin while washing, or harsh soaps that
dissolve the protective layer of sebum. In some cases, the
result is dry skin over the entire body, especially among
athletes who shower several times a day. In other cases, dry
skin affects only the hands for example, in food handlers,
health care workers, homemakers, house cleaners and others who
frequently wash their hands.

* Environmental conditions that dry the skin are extreme
conditions that can overwhelm the skin's natural protective
barrier, causing moisture to evaporate. This is an important
reason for dry skin among people who live in hot desert
climates. Excessively dry indoor air also can cause dry skin and
"winter itch", particularly in people who use forced-air heating
systems. Among outdoor athletes, frequent exposure to wind and
sun can evaporate moisture from the skin, making the surface
feel itchy and dry. Even swimmers can get dry skin, since the
chemical content of pool water actually draws moisture from the
skin.

Dry skin is a common problem in people with diabetes or skin
allergies (atopic dermatitis). Less often, it can also be a
symptom of hypothyroidism, kidney failure, or Sjogren’s
Syndrome. In addition, dry skin sometimes develops as a side
effect of medication, especially some acne products that are
applied to the skin.

Sometimes, the only symptom of dry skin is itching, but usually
most people also will notice that their skin is flaky and
slightly more wrinkled than normal. Symptoms of dry skin may
worsen during the winter months, especially if you spend a lot
of time indoors.

With dry skin, you can generally make the diagnosis yourself.
Begin by examining your normal skin care routine. Do you often
take long, hot baths or showers? Do you shower several times a
day or scrub your skin surface with harsh soaps? Do you have a
job that requires frequent hand washing?

Next, examine your environmental risk factors, both indoors and
outdoors. Do you live in a dry climate? Do you usually spend
your winter months indoors without a humidifier? When you do go
outdoors, do you protect your skin with appropriate clothing or
with a sunscreen on exposed surfaces? When was the last time you
used a moisturizer?

Once you begin to take care of your skin properly, the
flakiness and itch of dry skin should improve within one or two
weeks. In many cases, a good skin care moisturizer cream will
begin to make your skin look softer and suppler within minutes.

Without proper care, dry skin can become a chronic problem that
can lead to skin thickening, cracking and bleeding. This may
increase your risk of skin infections.

You can help to prevent dry skin by taking these steps:

* Take only one shower or bath daily. Wash with comfortably
warm (not hot) water, using a soap that either has a high fat
content or contains glycerin. Limit your bath time to 10 to 15
minutes, and avoid scrubbing.

* If you are an athlete, shower off quickly after a workout or
game. Use warm water, and bring your own mild soap, since
heavy-duty "gym" brands may be too strong.

* When you finish your bath or shower, apply moisturizer while
your skin is still wet. Petroleum jelly or a thick cream is best
for sealing skin moisture.

* Cover exposed skin when you play outdoors. If you can't wear
protective clothing because of hot weather or game regulations,
apply a sunscreen with a moisturizer. If you are a swimmer,
apply a light layer of petroleum jelly before you enter the
pool.

* If your indoor air is dry during winter months, use a
humidifier to raise the humidity level.

As necessary during the day, apply a good skin care moisturizer
cream that contains at least one of the following ingredients:

• Colorless carotenoids—UV light activated, they provide
powerful antioxidant protection against the environment.

• Shea butter, evening primrose oil, and meadowfoam seed oil—
provide rich emollients to enhance the skin’s natural barrier
function and increase hydration levels.

• Parsol® 1789 and other sunscreens—shield against aging UVA
and UVB rays.

• Chamomile, cornflower, and matricaria flower extracts—this
special blend soothes the skin.

Avoid overusing antiperspirants and perfumes, since these
products can dry the skin.

If you have a simple case of dry skin, begin by trying the
suggestions outlined in the Prevention section. If your dry skin
persists, contact your doctor's office for advice.

Call your primary care doctor or a dermatologist (a doctor who
specializes in skin problems) if you have:

Dry skin that doesn't respond to nonprescription treatments
Severe itching that interferes with your ability to work or
sleep
Dry skin that cracks and bleeds, or becomes red, swollen and
painful

Overall, the prognosis is excellent. You can often prevent dry
skin by making a few simple changes in lifestyle. If dry skin
develops, there are many soothing and effective treatments
available. Most can be purchased without a prescription.

http://www.totalskincareproducts.com/skincaremoisturizercream.html

About the Author: Darryl is the owner of the website:
http://www.totalskincareproducts.com Darryl got into this
business because of his own skin and health condition. His skin
at the time was paper thin, and his cardio vascular system was
much compromised. Because of the products on his website his
skin and cardio vascular system are better today than they were
25 years ago.

Source: http://www.isnare.com

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