Regardless of the season it is important that you know how to guard against dry skin as you get older not just for appearance but also  for your health.  A good soak in the tub can relieve you from aches and pains and a bath before bed can relax you.  However, long, hot showers can also dry your skin. Indoor heat and air conditioning make your skin even more vulnerable. A few basics, however, can get you off to a good start regardless of your age.

As you get older, the number of sebaceous glands you have that give out a type of oil in the skin are reduced. Also reduced is your skin’s ability to hold moisture.  It appears that your skin’s ability to hold water and how well it protects your body depends  on how much fat you have  stored.

Your genes may play a major role in why your skin is dry. If one of your parents suffered from dry skin, the chances are very good that you will also develop the condition.  Of course using too much soap and water, living in a dry climate, excessive sunbathing and not wearing protective clothing will contribute to the problem.

Here are some tips.

  • There is no reason to shower more than once a day. And when you do shower, don’t use the hottest water.
  • To seal in moisture after your shower, use an oil to lubricate your skin and prevent evaporation of water after bathing. You don’t have to buy expensive fragrant creams to find one that works. Ask you physician or your pharmacist for their recommendations. If your skin is already dry, choose a heavy moisturizer with water in oil formula. It lasts longer than a light cream that contains more water than oil.
  • Avoid using too much soap. A mild soap with the appropriate pH value is best.
  • Dab your skin when you get out of a shower rather than rubbing it.
  • Remove any sunbathing off your list.
  • Cover up with sunscreen before you go anywhere whether its spring, fall or winder.
  • Above all, don’t go to tanning salons. They not only make your dryness worse because heat and UV rays dehydrate your skin but it will also accelerate your skin’s aging process. Moreover, there is more evidence that tanning boxes are cancer causing.

You can enjoy the sun but take precautions. It will be well worth it.

To your successes.

Ruthan Brodsky

Tagged with: • • •

Filed under: Skin

Like this post? Subscribe to my RSS feed and get loads more!