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Soaps and Dry Skin Soap is everywhere! It has long been known to be effective in removing dirt and grime from the skin, and has been around since prehistoric times. As useful as soap is with respect to its cleansing abilities, however, it has its drawbacks. Soap has been found to also remove the skin's natural oil, lipids, and water content. This leaves the skin tight and dry. This is the reason why soaps are not recommended for people suffering from dry skin, especially those suffering from skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, and ichthyosis. Washing with soaps is actually fine, as long as measures are taken to replace the moisture lost during the wash. This can be achieved by bathing or showering in cooler water (hot water dries out the skin), not staying in the water for longer than fifteen minutes, and limiting yourself to one bath or shower for every 24-hour period. Don't wipe yourself dry after stepping out of the water; aside from stripping your skin of the moisture from the bath or shower, it can also irritate dry skin. Simply pat yourself dry with a towel and apply your favorite moisturizer to lock in the moisture. Substituting your commercial soap with a soap-free liquid cleanser is a good idea; just make sure that the products you try are non-detergent and pH-neutral. Shower gels and bath oils are recommendable, as are products such as Cetaphil and Aveeno. Check your liquid cleanser for moisturizing properties so as to avoid the drying effects of soap. Some individuals, however, have gotten so used to soap that it's impossible for them to feel clean after using a liquid cleanser. This is understandable; many cleansers fail to measure up to soap in terms of cleansing abilities, no matter how nice the skin may feel after a wash. In such cases, mild soaps such as Dove, Basis, Neutrogena and Olay are suggested. Aside from having good cleaning abilities, these soaps often have additional oils and fats in their ingredients, and as such offer a barrier against dry skin after use. With whatever product you use, the skin should feel soft and smooth after, and never dry. Deodorant or antibacterial soaps are often harsh on the skin and are generally not recommended for those suffering from dry skin. However, they're somewhat safe to use on places of the body where dirt and odor usually accumulate. These spots include the armpits, the hands and feet, and the genital area. Try to keep soap away from the face; it's probably the worst place to have dry, flaky skin! Always use antibacterial soap only from the neck down. Most of us learn our hygienic habits during the teen years, and often unwittingly carry on our washing habits as we grow older. It must be kept in mind that teenage skin is oilier and thicker than adult skin, so the habits have to change as well. The soap you used back in high school may not be suitable to your skin today, since skin tends to get drier the older we get. It's important to keep a tab on the changes our skin takes on as time goes by, especially when dry skin or your first wrinkle appears out of nowhere. It could be a sign that your skin can no longer handle your skin care regimen. Surprisingly, not many of us take good enough care for our hands. Most of us use soap in washing our hands, and many don't use gloves while washing the dishes and cutlery. This is a big cause of dry skin; we often don't realize the damage we're doing until we see the skin on our hands peeling and flaking off! It's important to apply a moisturizer after washing your hands; of course, provided you only pat and not wipe them dry. Always wear rubber gloves when washing the dishes or when dealing with harsh detergents. It has been suggested to wear cotton gloves under the rubber ones if you're allergic. Sometimes the problem of dry skin doesn't stem from bathing or washing habits, but from laundry practices instead. Many of us use laundry detergents that contain ingredients that irritate the skin even after the wash. To avoid this, use "All-free" laundry detergents, and stay away from fabric softeners (especially in the dryer). When hand-washing clothes, use rubber gloves to protect your hands. If you can afford to, try to phase out most of your clothes made of wool and other irritating synthetic materials, and opt for a wardrobe made of mostly cotton. Cotton is a light fabric that allows your skin to "breathe," reducing dryness and irritation. |
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