HOW TO OVERCOME DRY SKIN PROBELMS

When winter arrives, the air is dry, most people complain of dry skin. It becomes worse for those who normally have dry skin. Dry skin look older than oily skin, as they show fine lines and wrinkles faster. They also flake, crack and bleed easily. Read on for 10 super easy steps recommended by dermatologists to soothe dry skin
Avoid hot baths and showers which dehydrate skin further. Try these for dry skin

1. Use warm water
2. Don’t shower for more than 5 minutes
3. Wash with a gentle and fragrance-free soap
4. Don’t apply too much soap so that it whips up a thick lather
5. Don’t rub your skin dry with a towel

After bath care-

1. Apply a rich moisturiser after drying your skin: Moisturisers trap extra moisture in your skin so the right time to use them is immediately after drying yourself. It’s better to use ointments and creams as these are more effective than lotions. Creams with olive and jojoba oil, Shea butter, lactic acid, urea, hyaluronic acid, dimethicone, glycerin, lanolin, mineral oil, and petrolatum jelly all are good. If the skin on your hand is extra dry and feels stretched then it’s a good idea to carry a non-greasy hand cream with you. Apply it to each washing hands immediately to relieve dry skin.
2. Use only unscented skin care products: Shun harsh skin products which strip natural oils from skin like-Deodorant soaps
   • Skin care products that contain fragrances, alcohol, retinoids, or alpha-hydroxy acid
3. Wear gloves when washing utensils: This will prevent dry skin on hands. All you have to do is wear latex gloves before you start washing clothes and utensils.
4. Choose laundry detergent with care: Laundry detergents should be chosen with care as they can irritate skin. Go for detergents labelled “hypoallergenic”.
5. Avoid sitting by the fireplace or other heat sources in winters: Remember heat is drying. So limit your time in front of a hot stove or fireplace.
6. Use humidifiers to add moisture to indoor air: Use of humidifier will help prevent excessive drying of skin.
7. Use milk on skin: Milk is packed with anti-inflammatory and soothing properties that can fight dry and itchy skin. The lactic acid in milk also exfoliates dead skin cells and increases the capacity of your skin to retain moisture.
8. Honey: Honey is one of the best natural moisturisers. It comes loaded with antioxidants and anti-microbials.
9. Yogurt: Yogurt is a skin-hydrating agent par excellence. Its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties also help soothe dry and itchy skin.
10.  Baking Soda Bath : Soaking in a bath of baking soda for 30-60 minutes can make all the difference. Add one cup baking soda to a tub of warm water. After the bath, it is important to gently pat your skin dry with a towel (or air-dry). For more localized itching you can make a paste of one part water to three parts baking soda.
11.  Oatmeal : Mixing oatmeal in water and spreading it on irritated skin can also be cooling and soothing. Add 2 cups of colloidal oatmeal to a lukewarm bath and soak to soothe itchy skin. Avoid using very hot water, as it can irritate the skin and cause it to itch more.
12.  Lemon Juice: Lemon juice can be directly applied on itchy skin to relieve the irritation. 
13.  Essential Oils : There are many good essential oils with anti-inflammatory and soothing properties that have the ability to give relief to itchy skin and alleviate irritations. You can add them to your bath water or apply directly on your skin. Just make sure to follow the dosage recommendations exactly as directed on the package.
    The following are some of the best essential oils for itchy skin: Agrimony oil, Basil oil, Bay leaf oil, Calendula oil, Chamomile oil, Chickweed oil, Clove oil, Geranium oil, Jewelweed oil, Lavender oil, Neem oil, Nettle oil, Peppermint oil, Rosemary oil, Thyme oil.
14.  Coconut Oil: The driest of the dry itchy skin in winter usually occurs on the heels, hands and elbows. An overnight spot treatment on these skin areas with coconut oil can result in much improvement by the next morning. Soak in a lukewarm bath until your fingers shrivel, this indicates that the skin is full hydrated. Pat skin dry, but leave slightly damp. Put a thick layer of coconut oil on heels, hands and elbows, covering the greased areas with socks, gloves and long sleeved pajama top, and go to bed. You should have a restful itch-free night of sleep and improved skin in the morning.
15.  Cold Water : Because cold and itch travel along the same nerve fibers, the use of cold can “jam the circuits” and deaden itch. Cool showers or baths or even ice packs can be an instant remedy for itchy skin.
16. Coconut Milk: Coconut milk not only reduces skin dryness, but also helps combat dark spots and blemishes. Rub it onto your face and body, and leave it overnight.
17.  Apple Cider Vinegar: If you have a small patch of dry, itchy skin, dot vinegar on the spot with a cotton ball. If you’re experiencing all-over itching and dryness, add two or three cups of vinegar to your bath water and soak for 15 to 30 minutes.
18. Aloe Vera: Slice a piece of aloe, squeeze all the gel out and apply to itchy skin. It will not only moisturise your skin, it will also form a protective layer that will keep impurities from entering your pores. Although aloe is a good skin hydrant, it can leave your skin feeling tight. So you might want to also put on moisturizer..
    19. Beeswax : A combination of honey, olive oil, and beeswax can provide significant benefit to people suffering from eczema or psoriasis. Combining equal parts of raw (unprocessed) honey, beeswax, and olive oil. Melt the beeswax in a small pan over low heat, stirring occasionally. Once melted, remove it from the heat and mix in the honey, then the olive oil, stirring the mixture until well blended. While the mixture is still warm, pour it into an airtight container and store in the refrigerator. The mixture should keep for up to three months. A few drops of vitamin E oil (from a gel cap) may be added to each batch for longer shelf life, and to enhance its healing properties.
    20.  Herbs:Like cloves, BASIL contains high amounts of eugenol, a topical anesthetic. Place 1/2 ounce dried basil leaves in a 1-pint jar of boiling water. Keep it covered to prevent the escape of the aromatic eugenol from the tea. Allow to cool. Dip a clean cloth into the tea and apply to itchy skin as often as necessary.
    MINT contains significant amounts of menthol, which has anesthetic and anti-inflammatory properties when applied topically. To make a mint tea rinse, place 1 ounce dried mint leaves in 1 pint boiling water. Cover and allow to cool. Strain, dip a clean cloth in the tea, and apply to the itchy area when necessary.
    THYME contains large amounts of the volatile constituent thymol, which also has anesthetic and anti-inflammatory properties. It numbs the itch while reducing inflammation caused by scratching. To make a thyme rinse, place 1/2 ounce dried thyme leaves in a 1-pint jar of boiling water. Cover and allow to cool. Strain and dip a clean cloth into the tea, then apply to affected areas.

THIS IS ONLY FOR INFORMATION, ALWAYS CONSULT YOU PHYSICIAN BEFORE HAVING ANY PARTICULAR FOOD/ MEDICATION/EXERCISE/OTHER REMEDIES.   
 
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