Skin Care For Dry Skin

Dry skin can be caused by many things, but these tips will help you narrow down what's causing yours and find a solution and skin care treatment.

Anyone who has experienced the incessant itching and scratching caused by dry skin knows that it can not only make you crazy, but make you look a little loony, too.There are many variables that cause dry skin:weather, medication, allergic reaction to soap/laundry detergent/lotion, genetics, a medical condition, or just plain old neglect.The first thing to determine in caring for your wounded epidermis is what is causing this frustrating condition.You'll want to rule out, first and foremost, a medical condition.Is your dry skin accompanied by a rash or blisters of any kind?Is it only one particular part of your body that is itchy, or is it everywhere?Is your skin peeling or scaly as well as dry and itchy?Have you recently been camping or hiking in the mountains?Do you have pets?Does this happen when you eat a particular kind of food? If the answer is "yes" to any of those questions, you may want to contact your doctor or dermatologist.

If you can rule a medical condition out, try switching skin care products.The best way to do that is one at a time, so you can see if one of those products is the culprit. Laundry detergents now come in fragrance free versions of their former selves to avoid causing reactions in sensitive skin, and you can even try the detergents made for babies.The same rule applies for soap.Dry skin usually means sensitive skin, and fragrance is a no-no in most cases.Try a gentle body wash without a lot of additives and without a fragrance.Soaps for babies or containing oatmeal are excellent to nourish dry skin.Lotion is your strongest asset against dry skin.Once you rule out that what you are currently using, you want to make sure and apply the same rules for the soap and detergent to the lotion.However, you want your lotion to carry an extra punch.

Some of the best products for dry skin are white petroleum, Shea butter, mineral oil, and vitamin E.Lotions with these in them work best.Oatmeal and oatmeal products make great lotions and soaks for the tub.A moisturizing salt scrub can help take off the dead layer of skin, helping the lotion sink in better and get to work.There are products now that have a small amount of salicylic acid that you can use to exfoliate the

dead skin cells off of your body, helping take care of the dry skin also.

All the great products in the world won't help if you don't have a great skin care regimen.It's important not to shower or wash your face with water that is too hot, because that will add to your dry skin problem. Use a scrub, if you choose to use one, in the shower , and not every day.Two or three times a week will do. Once out of the shower, pat your skin dry and put lotion on while it is still moist to keep that moisture in. Wear a good sun block when outdoors to keep sun damage from causing any further problems with sensitive, dry skin.

You can battle dry skin from the inside out as well.Drinking a lot of water is good for hydrating your skin and keeping it clear.Limit caffeine, as it has a dehydrating effect on your skin.Eating a lot of fresh fruit and vegetables, and staying away from processed foods can have a marvelous effect on dull, dry skin.Even when eating well, taking a multi-vitamin can help make sure you and your skin are getting all the necessary vitamins and minerals you need.The key with battling dry skin is to take care of yourself, be as gentle as you can, and use good products without a lot of additives.That will stop you from doing the itchy-scratchy dance in no time.

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