How to care for dry, sensitive skin

 November 7, 2012 by Agency Reporter

Dry skin is common especially during the harmattan season. As the season sets in, it is good for people that have dry skin to learn better ways of managing the condition because dry, scaly and dull skin could be unsightly and uncomfortable. Dry skin is most common in lower legs, arms, sides of the abdomen and thighs. Its symptoms include scaling, itching and cracks in the skin.

Many factors are responsible for dry and dehydrated skin. They include over-exposure to the elements which can be environmental factors such as winds, sun or indoor causes like heating and air-conditioning. Dry skin can also be genetic. Some people naturally have drier skin conditions than others.

 Age is another factor. In general, as people age, their skins become more dehydrated. Also, experts claim diuretics such as alcohol and caffeine can cause dry skin because they draw water away from the body, hence people that consume fairly high level of alcohol could have dry skin.  And as good as soap is in cleaning the body, it may leave the skin dry.

Just recently, the Managing Director of GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceutical, Mr. Lakan Asuni, said laboratory and epidemiological studies showed that severe weather conditions could lead to the depletion of the ozone layer and high levels of UVBs to the earth surface. This can affect the skin, causing acne breakouts and itchy dry patches of the skin.

To him, the present state of the nation’s poor environmental health precipitated by extreme weather conditions due to flooding, cold and hot situations prevalent in the country in the last one month could encourage dry skin.

He spoke in Lagos on Thursday at the official launch of physiogel range of products into the Nigerian market and the introduction of Stiefel, a GSK company to the media.

According to him, physiogel was introduced to the Nigerian market to address the problem of dry skin among Nigerians.

Describing the product as an innovative face and body care for dry, sensitive and reactive skin, he said it was produced with high-tech methods and modeled after the natural skin barrier.

 The technology, Derma Membrane Structure, is specially formulated with growing amount of skin-identical lipids to mimic the skin. With DMS technology, lipids essential to skin are embedded in a lamellar structure matrix, which allows the avoidance of conventional emulsifiers. Creams with DMS technology support the natural barrier properties of the skin and can be used on all skin types, including very dry, sensitive, and irritated skin.

He said that the company was configured to continue to innovate to ensure   that high quality pharmaceutical and non prescription products are released to the nation’s rapidly growing industry – the media and health fraternities.

He said the brand had a range of skin care products including moisturizers, anti-irritants / soothing moisturizers, and cleansers, specially designed for daily care of dry, sensitive, or irritated skin.

But according to online resources, the first step in skin care regime for glowing skin is regular exfoliation to rid the skin’s epidermis of dead skill cells. This will result in smoother and more radiant skin.  Once the dead cells are removed, you can cleanse the skin with a soap-free wash and warm water. The warmth will open the pores, allowing for better absorption of a nourishing face   cream.


culled from Punch Online
http://www.punchng.com/health/how-to-care-for-dry-sensitive-skin/