Dry skin: medical treatments

Dry skin: medical treatments

Usually, the regular use of creams or moisturizing lotions of good quality as well as the implementation of the other measures described in the Prevention section make it possible to counter the dryness of the skin.

If irritation occurs, an over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream may provide relief.

If the problem worsens, is very bothersome, or is accompanied by redness and itching, see a doctor or dermatologist is recommended. He will look for the causes of these symptoms.

Moisturizers

The application of cream or moisturizing lotion is an effective way to rehydrate the skin. It also restores softness and smoothness to the skin. Some products are better than others or are more suitable for specific skin types.

La composition of creams is inspired by that of the film of water and fatty substances that naturally cover the skin. Creams therefore contain an aqueous part and an oily part. An emulsifier – usually stearic or palmitic acid – is added to water and oil, which results in a uniform and stable cream. Some creams contain, in small quantities, vitamins or plant extracts with moisturizing properties. Preservatives are also found in most products.

The more consistent a cream, the higher its fatty substance content and the less water it contains. Most creams on the market are light, so they are more watery than oily. Therefore, water is often the first ingredient on the list. The oil content generally varies between 15% and 30%.

Compared to creams, lotions are applied more easily but last less on the skin.

For the face, we prefer even lighter products because most of the fat would clog the pores, causing comedones or infections.

Let us mention that the pH moisturizers and soaps is also important. Favor a neutral pH (pH = 7) or slightly acidic (pH 6.

A tip for treating dry hands

Before going to bed :

  • Wash your hands in cold water;
  • Apply petroleum jelly to the still wet hands;
  • Wear cotton gloves all night;
  • In the morning, the skin is rehydrated.

Note that it is wrong to believe that moisturizers “maintain” the problem of dry skin. On the contrary, poorly cared for skin that has been dehydrated for too long can degenerate into more serious problems (for example, dermatitis).

 

A little more on the ingredients of moisturizers

The composition of moisturizing creams and lotions helps to retain moisture in the skin2. Some ingredients come from traditional herbal medicine; their use may also be based on data from small-scale studies conducted by manufacturers.

  • Mineral oil. Derived from petroleum, mineral oil allows a better preservation of the products, while offering a barrier against the evaporation of the water contained in the skin. Two forms are used in small quantities in the manufacture of moisturizers: liquid paraffin and petroleum jelly (petrolatum);
  • Glycerol or glycerin. It is the most commonly used hydrating agent. This chemical compound, an alcohol, is found in all fats. It is artificially synthesized to include it in moisturizers because this substance “retains” water. In addition, it acts as a lubricant and emollient;
  • Lanoline. Fat extracted from the ooze which permeates the wool of sheep and whose composition is very close to that of human sebum;
  • Hyaluronic acid. This natural component of connective tissue is synthesized and is now part of several products because it would have the property of forming a hydrating aqueous film on the skin.
  • Alpha hydroxy acids (or AHA, for alpha-hydroxy acids). Lactic acid is an AHA commonly added to moisturizers. Some contain concentrations of up to 12%. It helps with flaking (removal of dead cells) and recovery of dry skin due to its ability to retain water3;
  • Urea. Urea comes from the breakdown of proteins. In synthetic form, it softens the skin. Creams containing up to 10% urea provide relief from dry skin associated with skin disorders (eczema, psoriasis, ichthyosis, etc.);
  • jojoba (oil). This odorless and colorless oil acts as an emulsifier (stabilizer of the water-oil mixture) because of the palmitic acid it contains. It penetrates the skin and is believed to help restore it to its natural properties;
  • Almond (oil). It would be both moisturizing and emulsifying;
  • Aloe. FreezingAloe true has hydrating and healing properties for the skin according to some studies. But beware, some people are allergic to it. Consult our Aloes file;
  • oat. This cereal has been used for over a hundred years as an ingredient in body care preparations. We can benefit from its properties by creams but also by baths (see the Oats (psn) sheet for precise instructions);
  • shea (butter). Taken from a nut, which grows wild in West Africa, shea butter is said to have emollient and moisturizing properties;
  • Honey (extract of). Honey has antibacterial and antifungal properties. It may help in the recovery of dry skin;
  • Sun screen. Very useful in a daily lotion, since even during the comings and goings, we expose ourselves a lot to the sun.
  • Vitamin A. This antioxidant can be presented under one of the following names: retinol, retinyl acetate, retinyl linoleate or retinyl palmitate. According to several recent researches, vitamin A is one of the rare substances able to penetrate to the dermis and therefore to act in depth. However, even though over-the-counter products only contain a tiny portion, vitamin A increases the skin’s sensitivity to sunlight. This is why creams that contain it also have sunscreen;
  • Vitamin E.. Vitamin E is found in many skin and lip products because it has antioxidant properties. It would offer some protection against UVB rays.

 

Note. In addition to the active ingredients, others are added, such as binders, dyes, perfumes, stabilizers or preservatives, etc. Any skin, even if it is not particularly sensitive, can have an allergic reaction (or contact dermatitis) with any of the ingredients in moisturizers. Among the most widely used preservatives are phenoxyethanol and parabens (methyl-, propyl-, ethyl-, etc.). In Canada, a regulation that came into effect on November 16, 2006 requires manufacturers of cosmetic products to display the complete list of ingredients contained in their products.4. This measure allows consumers to make more informed choices and more easily identify the ingredients to which they would be sensitive.

 

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