Although a little too simplistic, imagine our skin is like a brick wall, the cells held together to form a perfect barrier which prevents entry to pollutants and infections. When our skin is dry, we start to form gaps in the mortar which allow attack and ingress of irritants, fungus and bacteria. We are then susceptible to eczema, athlete’s foot and more serious infections.
What can I do?
In order to keep our bricks intact, we need to apply total emollient therapy. This involves changing which products you wash with, and applying moisturisers after bathing. Anything which foams such as soap, shower gel and shampoo contains surfactants (the foaming agent) which strip our skin of the naturally produced oils which keep us hydrated, and our skin cells together.
Switching to an emollient wash will still keep you clean, but prevent the drying effect of the foaming products. Examples include Hydromol ointment, Eucerin shower oil, E45 shower cream. There are many different products available, most skin care ranges make one and you will find them in the dry skin aisle in a pharmacy.
Emollients
The best emollient is one which you like, because it means you will use it! However some products are better than others because of the ingredients they contain. If you have reactive skin or suffer from eczema or psoriasis, you will prefer a cream which doesn’t contain certain products such as colours, fragrances and preservatives. Ingredients like glycerine, urea and hyaluronic acid are excellent moisturisers and are produced in a natural form in our skin.
How you buy your moisturiser also matters. Avoid pots where you have to dip your hand in repeatedly, as the contents will soon become infected with bacteria! Tubes or pumps are much more hygienic. An airless pump is very good as no preservatives have to be used – fewer ingredients, less to react to. Some examples of moisturisers you might like to try include Aproderm Colloidal Oat and Eucerin 10% Urea Lotion.
Hands and feet do not have oil glands, only sweat glands, so are sometimes drier than the rest of the body and might need something stronger. Examples include CCS Foot Cream, Flexitol Foot Cream and Superdrug Heel Balm.
If you are regularly moisturising your feet and they still look very dry, cracked or peeling, you may have an infection or a skin disease. So please see your podiatrist for an accurate diagnosis if your dry skin is not improving after a month.
Contact the team to book an appointment by calling 01603 737188 or online here
