Causes (2)
- Psoriasis
- Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid)
Lifestyle and home remedies (2)
- Moisturizers: Options for softer skin
- Skin care: 5 tips for healthy skin
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Moisturizers: Options for softer skin
Getting the most out of your moisturizer
To make the most of your moisturizing routine:
- Be willing to experiment. Find a moisturizer that fits your skin type and makes your skin look and feel soft. You may need to try several brands with varying ingredients before you find one you like.
- Protect yourself from the sun. Choose a moisturizer that contains sunscreen, which performs double duty by hydrating your skin and protecting it from sun damage.
- Don't necessarily buy the most expensive brand. Keep in mind that cost has no definite relationship to effectiveness. Just because a moisturizer is expensive doesn't mean it's more effective than a cheaper product.
- Apply moisturizers immediately after bathing. Pat or blot your skin until it's just barely dry, then apply moisturizer immediately to help trap water in the surface cells.
- Apply moisturizer to your hands and body as needed. Apply after bathing or showering, before exercising outdoors in cold weather, and every time you wash your hands. Although often ignored, your hands are more exposed to the elements, especially soaps and chemicals, than is any other part of your body.
- Use heavy creams appropriately. Don't use any heavy creams on your face unless you have excessive dryness. You can use heavy, oil-based creams on your legs, hands and feet because those areas tend to be drier.
Keep in mind that there's no guarantee that any moisturizer will live up to all of its claims or even contain its advertised ingredients. Moisturizers are considered cosmetics, so the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates them in a different and more lenient manner than it does drugs. This means that products don't need to undergo the same rigorous testing for safety and effectiveness before going to market that prescription drugs do.
If a moisturizer doesn't improve the condition of your skin or you notice skin problems after using a moisturizer, see your doctor or dermatologist. He or she can help you create a personalized skin care plan by assessing your skin type, evaluating your skin's condition and recommending moisturizers likely to be effective.
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- FDA authority over cosmetics. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/cos-206.html. Accessed Oct. 14, 2010.
- Baumann L. Understanding and treating various skin types: The Baumann skin type indicator. Dermatologic Clinics. 2008;26:359.
- Miscellaneous emollients. Facts and Comparisons 4.0. http://online.factsandcomparisons.com/MonoDisp.aspx?book=DFC&monoID=fandc-hcp10748&nostem=False&searched=emollients. Accessed Oct. 14, 2010.
- Mature skin. American Academy of Dermatology. http://www.aad.org/public/Publications/pamphlets/MatureSkin.htm. Accessed Oct. 14, 2010.
- Cosmeceutical facts and your skin. American Academy of Dermatology. http://www.aad.org/public/Publications/pamphlets/Cosmetics.htm. Accessed Oct. 14, 2010.
- Weston WL, et al. Treatment of atopic dermatitis (eczema). http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Oct. 14, 2010.
- Ofori AO. Treatment of acne vulgaris. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Oct. 14, 2010.
- Saving face 101: How to customize your skin care routine with your skin type. American Academy of Dermatology. http://www.aad.org/media/background/news/Releases/Saving_Face_101_How_to_Customize_Your_Skin_Care_Ro/. Accessed Oct. 18, 2010.
- Gibson LE (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Oct. 25, 2010.
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