People of all ages and backgrounds can have dry skin. It's a condition that's been around for a long time and has many causes. Environmental factors play a role. Poor air quality, extreme weather, or even air conditioning can dry out our skin. So can our lifestyle choices. The everyday products we use can be far more harmful than we might think, stripping our skin of its natural moisture and leading to the uncomfortable sensation of tight, parched skin. Interior health issues can also have a part to play. From diabetes to thyroid disease and a host of conditions in between, our skin can bear the brunt of unresolved health problems. We use lotion for an obvious reason: to put moisture back into our skin. But not every lotion benefits every individual. So let's think for a moment about what makes a lotion worthwhile.
The skin can lose moisture and natural oils for a variety of reasons and at any time—any kind of sudden or prolonged environmental change can precipitate it. Living in a dry climate, or a place with low humidity, can set it off. So can exposure to extreme temperatures, either hot or cold. Then there are our indoor conditions; in winter, centralized heating makes the air inside our homes painfully dry.
Some people compound their situation with overly aggressive washing routines or the use of unsuitable products. It's tempting to apply the same logic we use to exfoliate the face to the skin all over the body; in fact, a study in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology found that most soaps used for that purpose fail to do what we expect them to do, leaving the skin more parched. At the end of the day, the skin is our natural barrier. It keeps all that is supposed to be inside us (like blood and organs) inside, while also keeping out potential pathogens.
A lotion is a topical product designed to sustain skin hydration and replenish the natural moisture barrier that is the skin's first line of defense against environmental stressors. The barrier's health is especially crucial for people with dry skin that can't seem to stay hydrated. The makeup of a lotion can be as individual as the skin it serves, but the best lotions have a commonality—putting them on is like giving your skin a drink. Of course, your skin can only drink in what's on offer, so the best lotions and the ones we most often recommend aren't just hydrating; they're also loaded with skin-loving ingredients to address the many concerns that can plague the skin.
There are numerous benefits to applying lotion for anyone who suffers from dry skin. For one, it certainly relieves the uneasiness that dryness causes. If you have dry skin, then you know how uncomfortable it can be. Your skin can feel tight and even painful at times, but lotion has a way of bringing instant comfort. And you would think that just would be enough to warrant slathering on the stuff. But then there's also the concern of the appearance of the skin. Dry skin can certainly affect a person's appearance. And not in a good way. Beyond these "superficial" concerns, however, lotion can help dry skin sufferers (like me) in really important ways. For one, it helps in keeping the skin ready to fight off external "invaders." And it helps in keeping your skin barrier moisturized and intact.
Choosing the right lotion for dry skin requires careful thought and consideration of a range of factors. First, read the ingredients. Emollients, humectants, and occlusives are what your lotion should ideally contain. These are the substances in lotions that do the work of making skin feel and be softer, smoother, and more pliable.
Look for the above-mentioned ingredients, or their equivalent, in your lotion; then see what else is in it. If you hit anything in your reading that sounds like a potentially harsh or irritating substance—like denatured or isopropyl alcohol, for example—consider that a red flag. On the other hand, if you get some version of "fragrance-free" in the lotioneers' ingredient list, that's an even better sign.
Finally, consider your skin type and test the product to make sure it's right for you. If you have any underlying skin issues, look to a derm for the best treatment options.
To maintain healthy skin, it is vital to find the appropriate lotion for dry skin. Gaining a comprehension of the etiology (causes) of dry skin, the anatomy and physiology of normal versus dry skin, and the lotion-selection process allows individuals with dry skin to make knowledge-based decisions when choosing a lotion. Using this information, individuals can wisely select a lotion with the best chance of successfully ameliorating their dry skin condition. Applying the selected lotion regularly and consistently could very well lead to a "cured" dry skin condition.