Dry Skin
Treating dry skin is important because extensively dry skin can lead to dermatitis, a more severe inflammation of the skin. Try these tips for the bath or shower:
- Skip long, hot showers. Hot water strips oils from the skin faster than warm water. Long showers or baths actually result in dried out skin. Try to limit yourself to a single 5- or 10-minute warm shower or bath a day.
- Use a gentle cleanser or shower gel with moisturizer. Go for unscented, soap-free, or mild soap cleansers instead of harsh cleansers.
- Moisturize while skin is moist. Pat your skin with a towel after you shower or wash your face or hands, leaving it damp. Apply a moisturizer within three to five minutes of washing to lock moisture in your skin.
Ingredients to Look for in a Moisturizer
It’s not necessary to pay a fortune for a good, rich moisturizer. Read the label. Ingredients that may be helpful for dry skin include:- Ceramides. Ceramides help the skin hold water and soothe dry skin. Synthetic ceramides may mimic the natural substances in the outermost layer of skin that help keep moisture in.
- Hyaluronic acid. Like ceramides, hyaluronic acid helps skin hold water.
- Lanolin, mineral oil, and petroleum jelly. These keep water in the skin that has been absorbed during bathing.
- Dimethicone and glycerine. These draw water to the skin and retain it there.
Oily Skin
Cleansers
Cleansing your face in the morning and at night is the single most effective way to manage oily skin, dermatologists agree. “Always use a gentle cleanser, since harsh soaps can trigger the skin to increase oil production,” says April Armstrong, MD, assistant professor of dermatology at the University of California, Davis.” Also, gently wash your face using your hands; a washcloth or buff puff can actually stimulate more oil secretion.If a basic facial cleanser doesn’t do the trick, try a product that includes an acid such as benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, glycolic acid, or beta-hydroxy acid. Acids help cut oiliness. “Many products containing these acids are marketed as acne facial care products. They’re great for people with acne, but they’re also fine for people whose problem is just oily skin,” Armstrong tells WebMD. “Since some of these ingredients can be irritating, buy a small size to see how your skin responds. People often have to try several products before they find the one that works best for them.” When washing your face, use warm water, not hot. Extremes of temperature can also irritate skin.
Toners
Some people love the feeling of splashing on a skin toner, which can help further reduce oiliness. As with cleansers, products that contain salicylic acid or other acidic ingredients are most effective at removing oils. But dermatologists are divided on whether to recommend them to everyone. “I’m not a big fan of astringent toners because they tend to irritate the skin and can lead to more oil production,” says Cambio. “Still, if people like using them, I recommend applying toners only on oily areas of the skin, such as the forehead, nose, and chin. Avoid using them on areas that tend to be dry or you’re likely to create dry patches on your skin.”That’s worth remembering for all your skin care regimens. “There’s a myth that some people have dry skin, some people have oily skin. In fact, most people have combination skin, oily in some places, dry in others,” says Ellen Marmur, MD, associate professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York and author of Simple Skin Beauty: Every Woman’s Guide to a Lifetime of Healthy, Gorgeous Skin.
1 comment:
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