How to care for your dry skin
Dry skin is a skin type that is characterised by roughness, tightness, and flaking and may occur in response to changes in the weather, certain medications, or simply as we get older. If you find that your skin is also itchy, rashy, stingy, and prone to redness, you likely have dry and sensitive skin.
Sensitive skin is not a skin type but rather a term that describes skin that is easily irritated and that reacts to things like environmental factors. In some cases, if the symptoms of sensitive skin don’t go away, it could point to medical conditions, like eczema or psoriasis.
In this article, we’ll look at what causes dry skin, as well as products for dry skin.
What causes dry skin?
Hot water
Our skin consists of various layers, and the outermost layer is called our lipid barrier and protects our skin from dehydration and damage. But lipids are basically just fat molecules, and this protective layer can easily be harmed by harsh products and other irritants.
Have you ever tried to clean an oily pot or pan with cold water? It is near impossible since water and oil do not mix. However, use very hot water, and the oil just slides off (not because it has dissolved, but rather because it has melted).
It is the same with our skin. That is why using lukewarm water is so important – it is hot enough to remove excess oils yet, cold enough not to disrupt the healthy fats that make up the top layer of the skin.
Changes in the weather
Many people develop dry skin conditions when the seasons change and the air gets dry. This is because of complex interactions between our skin and our environment – but in short: low humidity levels in the air pull moisture from the top layer of our skin, leaving it feeling tighter and looking dull.
So what can I use for dry skin?
Applying a moisturiser can boost your skin’s protective barrier. Especially if you use rich products that will lock in moisture, like a cream or ointment, as opposed to lotions that are much lighter. For optimal results, apply your cream or ointment directly after washing (and drying) your face and body.
Try using products for dry skin as they are formulated with ingredients that can help your skin retain moisture. For example, humectants are ingredients that help to attract water from the environment or from deeper in the skin. Another great substance that can increase moisture levels in the skin as well as soften it is emollients.
Cuticura face wash for dry skin
Even if you have dry skin, you need to wash your face twice a day. This will remove dirt and buildup that can block pores and cause problem skin.
Try Cuticura Gentle Hygiene Face Wash with Vitamin E for a mild cleanser that nourishes your skin. This face wash is ideal for those with itchy skin, because it contains chamomile extract, which is well-known for its calming properties.
Cuticura products are available at all leading supermarkets and pharmacies nationwide, as well as on Takealot.
Cuticura ointment for dry skin conditions
An ointment helps to restore the skin’s protective barrier by keeping in much-needed moisture. Additionally, Cuticura’s all-in-one ointment contains antibacterial ingredients to fight any harmful organisms that want to get through breaks in the skin’s surface, for example, where your skin is cracking when it gets extremely dry.
Find out more about the power of Cuticura’s antiseptic ointment over here.
Cuticura body cream for dry skin
Cuticura Sensitive Body Crème – Soothe & Hydrate is a fast-absorbing moisturiser for dry skin that is colourant and fragrance free. It is dermatologically tested and approved, and contains sweet almond oil (an emollient) which is packed with nutrients. This body cream addresses common symptoms of dry and sensitive skin, like itchiness and irritation, and provides 24-hour moisturisation.
Cuticura Sensitive Body Crème – Ultra Hydration also gets the green light from skin doctors and is a fantastic moisturiser for sensitive skin. Its unique formula contains more glycerine than other Cuticura Body Crèmes to help return dry and damaged skin to its natural condition.
Cuticura Sensitive Body Crème – For Very Dry Skin Conditions is your best bet for soothing dry skin that is easily irritated and that tends to be sensitive. It is hypoallergenic, fragrance and colourant free, and will provide immediate relief for dry, itchy skin.
This body cream is jam-packed with goodness and contains 5% urea, which is a humectant and emollient, as well as a component of the natural moisturisers produced by the skin. Urea also works well to treat dry skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis.
Bulbine frutescens leaf juice is also included in this cream because it is a well-known topical treatment for everything from cracked skin to rashes. But don’t take our word for it; the Cuticura Sensitive Body Crème – For Very Dry Skin Conditions has been approved by dermatologists as well as the Allergy Foundation of South Africa (AFSA).
Cuticura Sensitive Body Crèmes are available at all leading supermarkets and pharmacies nationwide, as well as on Takealot.
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PLEASE NOTE: The content provided on this site is intended for educational and informational purposes only, and in no way does it replace professional medical advice from qualified healthcare professionals.
List of references:
Dermatologists’ top tips for relieving dry skin
Sensitive skin: review of an ascending concept
Urea cream keratolytics (topical), general – uses, side effects, and more