Dry Skin Care

With so many roles for women to juggle in today’s fast paced, high pressure lifestyle, there is often very little time for self-care. With tension, worries, anxiety and age, skin becomes less active leaving it: drier, fragile, prone to wrinkles, lines near the eyes and mouth and loss of youthful color and glow.

Failure of oil glands to release enough oils to moisturize and protect the skin results in dry skin. Environmental causes like dry air, harsh wind, hormonal imbalance, usage of aggressive chemicals, cosmetics or excessive bathing with harsh soaps saps the moisture from the skin making it dryer, flakier and chapped during winter.

Caring for Dry Skin

• Cleanse and Moisturize: dry skin should be cleansed with a cold cream and alcohol-free skin fresheners to remove the cream. After cleansing, when the skin is damp it needs a lubricating emollient or a moisturizer.
• Splash your face with cold water or gently wipe the skin with rose water to tone the skin nicely.
• Avoid using highly alkaline soaps and detergents.
• Avoid the sun, harsh winds and hot baths. Use oil-based creams and make-up products only. Use soft towels or washcloths to avoid irritation to the skin while wiping it.
• Smoking deprives the skin of oxygen and nutrients it needs for good health making the skin dry and leathery.
• Chapped or cracked skin – increase consumption of water. Keep chapped areas well lubricated and protected from the elements using a good nourishing cream or moisturizer.
• Use creamy, mild, pH-balanced products such as moisture based cream gels, lotions, etc for dry skin care.

A well-balanced diet of vegetables, fruits, grains, seeds and nuts provides the body with all the necessary vitamins and minerals needed for healthy skin. Drinking water and reducing solar exposure to a minimum is also beneficial. Garlic, onions, eggs and asparagus help to keep the skin smooth and youthful. Carrots, apricots, rich in vitamins A, C keep the skin supple. Increase intake of foods like leafy raw green veggies, dairy products like yogurt, milk. Lessen fried foods, soft drinks, sugar, chocolates, junk foods, alcohol, caffeine and other foods that have diuretic effects causing the body and skin to lose fluids, vitamins and essential minerals.