Harsh soaps to blame for dry skin
Woman with good skin. Photo/FILE
What you need to know:
- Sometimes dry skin is exacerbated by frequent bathing and the use of drying ingredients in cosmetics such as alcohol in toners.
Many people worry about oily skin without realising that suffering from dry skin is far worse. Dry skin is as common as oily skin. It occurs with aging and is a problem amongst the elderly.
Contributing factors are years of exposure to sunlight, being over 30 years of age, and the use of soap and detergent.
Sometimes dry skin is exacerbated by frequent bathing and the use of drying ingredients in cosmetics such as alcohol in toners.
Overzealous facial treatments and cleansing cause face lines and dehydration.
Dry skin is characterised by a dry, rough texture that is itchy. Cracking and peeling are often present. For those whose skin is dry;
- Avoid excessive bathing with soap and antiseptic liquids. Take showers instead.
- In place of ordinary soap, use emollient cream bars, glycerine soap, oil soap and lotion soap. Use bath or shower oil when bathing.
- For severely dry skin, use emulsifying ointment which contains urea. You can buy this from drug stores.
- For normal to mild dryness, use emollient creams that are also available in chemists.
- If skin shows signs of dehydration and water loss, the consistent application of glycerin helps plump up the skin with moisture.
