Dry Skin Care: Causes and Helpful Household Solutions

Winter time can be the hardest time for people with dry skin because the air is dryer and it tends to take away any little bit of moisture that is already in the skin. Even slathering on excessive amounts of creams and moisturizers doesn't keep the dryness at bay.

Unfortunately, these creams and moisturizers can be really expensive and time consuming, even though they rarely help with the impact the weather and environment can have on dry skin. This can be frustrating since itchy, flaking skin can be undesirable and often makes the skin look uncared for even though it is.

One of the best ways to combat dry skin by keeping the body hydrated from the inside out. This preventative measure will also have other additional health benefits. Also, the addition of evening primrose oil supplements to your diet can strengthen skin cells and up your moisture content from the inside out as well.

Another tip that people may overlook involves ultraviolet light. Long exposure to this type of light - either by natural or artificial means - can dry out the skin too much. It is advised that when excessive exposure to the sun is expected to use sun block with moisturizers as an added benefit to your dry skin care regimen. Avoiding this and other situations that dry out the skin are recommended to keep the skin's moisture balanced.

Depending on the type of lighting in the home, there can be yet another dry skin culprit inside of your house. This is the fact that many homes have are extremely dry inside because of low humidity levels outside as well as from the drying qualities of the heat from your heating systems. Using a humidifier inside the home during the dry winter months is said to actually do a great job of remedying dry skin problems. An added benefit is the reduction of static electricity in the home!

Consider not drying off completely when you are done with your bath or shower. For many, this will be a strange habit to acquire, since we've been taught from a very young age that we need to dry off completely so as to not catch a cold. Unfortunately toweling off can remove any natural moisture that the body produces. This tip is very important to consider during dry weather. Only removing a little of the excess water with the towel after bathing, and using a body oil can do wonders for helping the skin retain its moisture. One oil to consider is olive oil - it's not just for salads any more!

Although these tips for dry skin care will do wonders for many, keep in mind that other factors play a major role in why people have dry skin. A poor diet, an underactive thyroid, and diabetes can contribute to dry skin, and should definitely be looked in to as your skin may be trying to warn you about a more serious condition. Also keep in mind that some drugs, like diuretics, antispasmodics, and antihistamines, can contribute to dry skin, and may be the real culprit in your dry skin situation.