Dry Sensitive Skin Care Tips

In some ways, having dry sensitive skin can be beneficial since you do not need to usually worry about getting spots apart from those that pop up with hormones or stress. However, it is usually worse than it may at first seem. Dry skin can look very dull and even go flaky, as well as emphasize lines and wrinkles. Here are some dry sensitive skin care tips that you may not be aware of.

Your environment can be a prime contributor to this type of skin, but dry skin is always worsened by age. The sebaceous glands in the dermis of the skin decrease the rate at which they produce sebum, which is the skin's natural moisturizer. As you age, your skin also gets worse at retaining moisture. This is caused by the collagen and elastin layer of the skin breaking down, so the skin tissue isn’t held together properly, making it harder for skin to retain moisture and allowing it to become drier. Dry skin can also be caused by over use of strong soap, which clears out the glands, over exposure to the sun, and can even be genetically determined.

How Can You Tell If You Have Dry Skin

Consider your environment. Do you live in a very windy area or somewhere that is not very humid, or somewhere where it is very cold? Also, do spend a lot of time indoors? Heaters and air conditioning can all play a role in removing the moisture from your skin, making it dry.

You should be able to see if your skin is dry. Does it flake off easily? Does your skin look like it is pulled tight? The tightness is due to the very small pore openings in your skin. Even if you don't see any visible signs of dry skin, you may need to look at your skin a little more closely, especially if you're approaching or you're already in mid-life.

Looking After Dry Skin

Obviously, if you have dry sensitive skin you want to retain as much oil as you can. Try not to use alcohol-based products because those will dry out your skin. Use those that contain alpha hydroxyl, petroleum, lactic acid, glycerin and lanolin instead. Make sure you search for these on the labels.

You may not always feel like you need to clean your skin, but it does need to be cleaned twice a day -- once in the morning and once at night using a soft cleansing agent designed for your type of skin. Always use lukewarm water, never hot; finish by rinsing with cool water. Using hot water should be avoided, as well as soaking your skin in it, because hot water removes your skin's natural oil. After you have washed, pat yourself dry with a soft towel and put some moisturizer on (Vitamin E moisturizers are excellent). If you use make up, use a foundation that contains a vitamin E moisturizer.

Most importantly, keep your skin hydrated by drinking lots of water. Eat more foods that is high in water content, like watermelon, for example, and most other fruits and vegetables as well. These are also a great source of vitamins and minerals, as well as of antioxidants and fiber, and are all necessary to keep you skin fit and healthy.