Dry skin? Here is the solution.

Dry skin is very synonym with winter season. I suppose it happens to every person, and to me as well. Here is some information that i've gathered.

What causes dry skin?

It is a problem that everyone faces at one point or another through life. Often a quick look at the cause of dry skin can help you to prevent it from returning. Common risk factors include:
• Age. Changes in skin happen over time. Oil production often decreases with age.
• Bathing. Taking baths and showers that are too long or too hot can remove protective oils your skin needs for moisture. Frequent hand washing can cause sore, red, chapped dry skin on the hands also.
• Dehydration. Dry skin is a lack of water in the skin. If you aren't drinking enough you will have dry skin. One of the most important things you can do for overall health is drink eight glasses of water a day. 
• Gender. Menopause increases dry skin in women. 
• Health. General health issues affect the body's ability to care for the skin. Diseases such as diabetes can increase chances you will have to deal with dry skin.
• Sun exposure. Sun dries your skin and causes damage to the skin increasing dry skin problems.

How Can I Prevent Dry Skin?

You can prevent dry skin by decreasing the time you are in the shower or bath tub. Only shower once daily and keep that under 15 minutes. This keeps your body's natural oils available for protection. When you cleanse your skin use gentle cleansers with moisturizers added. Several soaps on the market have moisturizers in them such as Olay, Neutrogena, and Dove products.
If soap is too harsh for your skin you can use cleansers that are for the disorder, such as Cetaphil and Aveeno.  Deodorant and antibacterial soaps are notorious for causing flaking. When you are washing your skin, be gentle and try not to irritate or damage your skin.  When drying off after showering you shouldn't rub your skin, instead blot the water off with a towel.

The best products for dry skin include a combination of these ingredients:

• Aloe. An Emollient extracted from leaves of the aloe vera plant that help to remove dead cells and lock in water to moisturize skin.
• Alpha Hydroxy Acids. Assist in exfoliation.
• Antioxidants. Vitamins A, C, and E are a few antioxidants that help protect cell membranes and fatty tissues and repair damage caused by air pollutants and UV rays. 
• Dimethicone. A silicone that protects and lubricates skin.
• Emollients. Help to replace lipids to lubricate skin. An emollient is a mixture of oil and water making a richer, heavier moisturizer than other types of moisturizers.
• Glycerin. A natural by-product of the soap-making process that attracts water to your skin.
• Humectants. Substances that attract water. These tend to work better in where it is humid. 
• Rosehip seed oil. Studies have shown this oil to repair dry skin as well as decreasing wrinkles and other imperfections. 
• Vitamin A. Vitamin A or retinoic acid helps to keep pores clear and improves sun damage.

Well, i hope we all can face the dry skin problem. All the best people!~