Winter = Dry Skin. So how can you handle it?

Come winter, almost all of us will be victims of dry skin, more so Adults.

What Causes Dry Skin?

Skin is the largest organ in the body. It forms almost 16% of person's body weight. It acts like a barrier between the body and the environment. It prevents excessive water loss and entry of harmful chemicals into the human body.

Dry skin is caused due to the damage caused to the protective barrier, resulting in excessive water loss through the skin and reduction in the skin's water holding capacity due to reduction in the concentration of  water holding sugar and protein molecules, otherwise known as glycosaminoglycans (GAG.)

Once the water levels in the superficial layers of the skin (Stratum Corneum) falls below a critical level leads to increased corneocyte cell adhesion resulting in dry, wrinkled and flaky skin, which can lead to irritation and frequent scratching of the skin.

How to over Come it?

The solution lies in increasing the Moisture content through either preventing the water loss or increasing the water holding capacity of the skin.

Moisturisers are of two types, i.e . Occlusives and Humectants.

  • OcclusivesThey provide a layer / barrier on the surface of the skin that prevents the water evaporation and thus increases the moisture content of the skin.
  • HumectantsThese are the substances that help in increasing the water holding capacity of the skin.

Take Home Points to Prevent Dry Skin in Winter:

  1. Have your bath with room temperature or lukewarm water. Avoid hot water baths.
  2. Use a soap that has very good moisturising contents and the pH should be between 5 to 5.5
  3. Pat dry your skin and immediately apply the moisturising lotion once you come out of the bath room. This will help locking up the Moisture.
  4. Drink good amount of water.
  5. Eat fruits in plenty, preferably citrus fruits.

Take care of the skin  this way, so that it takes care of you and makes your skin healthy and supple and enhances your beauty.