The Latest on Dry Skin
News Canada, December 2005
Canadian winter brings dry skin. Which moisturizer to choose?
(NC) - Climate change dramatically affects our skin. When winter comes, the humidity level drops along with the temperature, so we turn up the thermostat in our homes, take hot baths and showers, and add layers of clothes. When our skin becomes dry, it loses its elasticity and probably starts to itch. Severely dry skin can be stubborn, and selecting the right cream or lotion is a challenge.
Healthy skin is normally protected from dryness thanks to its Natural Moisturizing Factor, made up of oils our body produces, known as lipids. Our body also supplies water from the inside out, to keep the top layer moisturized, smooth and supple.
The outer layer of healthy skin acts as a barrier and protects us from any number of harmful elements in the environment. Dry conditions cause the cells on the top of the skin to shrink, and humidity/moisture escapes, raising the risk of sensitive skin, contact dermatitis, or irritation due to use of harsh chemicals, and even infection.
More than 20 per cent of the population suffer from severely dry skin. The majority will seek relief by using a moisturizer. But, with so many choices on the pharmacy shelf, how do you make an informed choice? One moisturizer with an advanced formulation newly available in Canada is called Impruv, with derma membrane structure for advanced moisturizing, specifically created to closely resemble the oils we naturally produce which help keep our skin smooth and supple.
What to look for in a moisturizer?
Dermatologists say it should be:
- Effective in hydrating the skin to prevent water loss
- An emollient, to make skin smooth and supple
- An aid in duplicating the skin's natural ability to retain moisture
- Cosmetically appealing, pleasant to use
- Suitable for sensitive skin, hypoallergenic, fragrance free, nonsensitizing
- Absorbed rapidly, providing immediate relief, without feeling sticky.
- News Canada
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