Dry Skin - An Effective Cure For This Winter Curse

Winter can bring many problems. The last thing that people want to do is add to those problems. Yet, this is exactly what many inadvertently do.

Modern lifestyles and technology has meant that that we all need to be aware of simple, everyday, commonsense routines that can reduce the risk of an irritating and sometimes painful personal condition.

It is a harsh fact of reality that the chill winds of winter often bring the discomfort of dry skin. Sadly, the march of time plays a role as well. The older each one of us gets, the more likely we are to suffer from skin ailments. Thus, each successive winter brings another, increased, likelihood of dry skin.

It is an unhappy fact that dry skin does not respect boundaries. In the most drastic cases, it can even inflict its unwanted presence across your entire being. However, for most people, the areas that usually display symptoms are the hands, forearms, face and lower legs. There is a simple reason for this, these are exactly the same areas of your body that we find it hardest to protect when we go outdoors in the winter.

As always, cause and effect are closely related.

A major cause of dry skin during winter is exposure to the cold winds that constantly blow. The action of cold, dry air blowing across unprotected skin will result in moisture being drawn from your epidermis and disrupting its natural moisture balance.

Suffered in an isolated bout, your body's natural regenerative properties are likely to recover from a single attack of harsh weather conditions. However, winter does not strike in one, single, swift blow. It is venturing out during these repeated cold snaps that inflicts cumulative damage to the skin.

However, even if you are one of those fortunate people who can live through the winter months without having to frequently venture out of doors, your skin will still be subject to adverse conditions.

Perhaps rather perversely, comfort does not always equate to providing the most appropriate circumstances.

During the cold months, offices, shops and homes are heated for our comfort. The relentless march of technological progress has also resulted in eliminating interior draughts and enhanced heating efficiency. It is these trends that has lead to most people experiencing increased exposure to dehumidified air, even when indoors during the winter months.

A favourite treat for many people during this time of year is to take a long hot shower or wallow, neck deep, in a steaming bath. In especially cold climates, the sauna is also popular. Most people incorrectly assume that soaking in hot water in a steam filled room will enhance their skin's moisture content?

Perhaps surprisingly, this is definitely not the case. A hot, steaming atmosphere attacks the surface layer of your skin, removing the fatty lipids that are essential for maintaining its health. Indeed, many of the soaps and cleansing products on the market today contain ingredients that are essential fatty lipid unfriendly. These lipids play an important role in maintaining the skin's correct moisture content and keeping it supple and smooth. Devoid of its natural covering of these essential fatty lipids, chapped skin can soon follow. If efforts are not made to redress the situation, the chapped skin can degenerate into soreness and split.

Faced with this array of causes, what actions can you take to help reduce the risks of suffering from dry skin? Further, if you already have dry skin, what can you do to prevent it becoming sore and itchy with regions of chapped skin?? Fortunately, there is a simple and easy skin care regime that you can adopt to help alleviate the worse effects of winter.

Firstly, always wrap up warm when you go outside. Most important are a top quality pair of gloves, hat and neck scarf. If possible choose clothing that is predominantly manufactured from natural fibres.

Another area where you easily make beneficial changes is in your home.. During the winter, many homes and offices have a far too high ambient temperature. Reducing the thermostat setting by just a couple of degrees can make a dramatic difference. You may hardly notice the reduced temperature, but your skin will greatly appreciate it. Use humidifiers to provide a more conducive atmosphere and try to maintain a healthy circulation of air.

When it comes to your ablutions, opt for warm instead of piping hot. If your skin feels tight or is crinkled after you have washed, then the water was definitely too hot. Also, buy your soap with care. Brands that are fragrance and alcohol free tend to be the brands that are kindest to your skin. Unnecessary cosmetic additives have a tendency to aggravate already sensitive skin.

Whatever soap you use, never scrub your skin with a harsh sponge or brush.

If, in spite of your best endeavours, regions of dry skin persist, then your need to look toward taking proactive intervention.

A well formulated moisturiser, with additional skin protection qualities, is an excellent way to help prevent, and treat, dry skin. Brands that can boast of being fragrance free and devoid of alcohol are to be favoured.. Remember, you are buying a skin protectant and moisturiser, not the latest beauty fashion cosmetic.

It is often the cases that the more simple the remedy, the more effective it is. So it is the case with dry skin.

These quick and easy guidelines will soon have you looking and feeling much healthier. And, remember, beauty is only skin deep.

As always, if your symptoms are severe, persistent or deteriorate suddenly, you should seek advice from your doctor.