Dry skin affects at least one in five of us at some point in our lives, and even if you’ve not been diagnosed with a specific condition like eczema, it can still feel pretty uncomfortable. The usual symptoms include red, chapped, cracked skin which may feel sore, calloused, raw and tight. The good news is, there’s no need to put up with it, just follow the advice below and you’ll be well on your way to softer, smoother, supple skin…

What causes it?

How can I treat it?

What should I avoid?

What causes it?
If your skin’s healthy, your sebaceous glands release an oily substance called sebum, which keeps your skin moist, supple and waterproof. Along with natural oils (lipids) and natural moisturising factors, sebum forms a barrier on the surface of your skin to keep irritants out of your body and water in.

When your skin gets dry these natural oils aren’t produced properly, so the barrier can’t do its job. This often happens to babies and children because their oil-producing glands haven’t developed fully. In adults, dry skin’s more often caused by external or environmental irritants.

How can I treat it?
The first thing to try is complete emollient therapy. Emollients are very effective moisturisers that help to keep your skin soft and supple. They work by restoring natural moisture, lipids and oils, creating a barrier on the skin’s surface which helps prevent more moisture loss and helps to stop bacteria getting in.

Complete emollient therapy means getting into the following daily routine:
• In the morning, wash with a soap substitute. They don’t contain detergents like ordinary soaps so they’re less drying. Gently pat your skin dry and smooth on an emollient cream or lotion with clean hands, in the direction of hair growth. Creams are soothing if your skin is thick or brittle, whereas lotions are lighter, soak in faster and are great for using all over
• During the day, use a soap substitute to wash your hands and apply an emollient cream or lotion when your skin feels dry or itchy. Don’t let your skin dry out, or rub it too hard
• In the evening, dip into a warm bath for 10 minutes. A little emollient bath oil will clean your skin so there’s no need for soap. Again it’s free from detergents, so protects your natural moisture barrier. Gently pat your skin dry and apply an emollient lotion or cream while it’s still damp

What should I avoid?
Getting to know what triggers your dry skin is the first step in soothing it. We’ve put together the list below to show you some common triggers …

• Dry, cold and windy weather
• Central heating or poor ventilation
• Chemicals, strong detergents and soaps
• Excessive contact with water
• Bath water that’s too hot (stick below 36ºC)
• Woollen clothes – go for cotton instead
• The contraceptive pill – it reduces sebum production
• Smoking – it makes the skin dirtier and causes damaging free radicals
• Getting older – as you age you produce less sebum