Tips for Dry Skin Care

During the cold months of the year is when many people experience "winter itch," caused by dry, flaky skin.

Dr. Diane Berson, a dermatologist at the Iris Cantor Women's Health Center of New York-Presbyterian Hospital, said in a prepared statement. "Remember, dry skin is due to lack of water, not oil. Apply moisturizers immediately after bathing or showering to trap water in the skin,"

How To Avoid Winter Itch:

Moisturize daily. Cream moisturizers are best for normal to dry skin. A moisturizer without perfume or lanolin is best for sensitive skin.
Don't overdo skin cleansing. Once a day is sufficient to wash your face, hands, feet and between the folds of your skin. You can rinse your trunk, arms and legs daily, but don't use cleanser or soap on these areas every day. Too much cleansing removes the skin's natural moisturizers.
If you have winter itch, take short, lukewarm showers or baths and use non-irritating, non-detergent-based cleansers. Immediately after your shower or bath, apply a water-in-oil-type moisturizer and gently pat your skin dry.
Household humidifiers can help prevent dry skin.
Protect yourself from the wind by covering your face and using a natural oil based lip balm.
Try to avoid extreme cold, which can cause frostbite or skin disorders in some people.
Protect your skin from the sun. Winter sun can be as dangerous as summer sun. Use a sunscreen of SPF 15 or greater.
Twenty to 30 minutes of aerobic exercise three times a week can give your skin a healthy glow.
If you have persistent dry skin, itching or scaling, see your dermatologist.

(SOURCE: New York-Presbyterian Hospital, news release, December 2004)

Chlorine in bath water can strip the natural protective oils from skin and hair, causing excess drying and aging.

Compared to drinking water we absorb more chlorine through skin absorption and inhalation of steam while showering.

A recent report in the American Journal of Public Health linked chlorine to significant increases in certain types of cancer, asthma and skin irritations... and stated that "up to 2/3s of the harmful exposure was due to skin absorption and inhalation of chlorine in shower water."

The U.S. EPA recently stated that "Due to chlorine and showering, virtually every home in America has a detectable level of chloroform gas in the air." When chlorine vaporizes in steam, and combines with other organic compounds in the air, it converts to chloroform. Chloroform is a strong respiratory irritant and causes fatigue.

Most people don't realize that tap water typically contains at or above the level of chlorine recommended for swimming pools, 1 to 1.5 ppm. A warm shower opens up the pores of the skin and allows a high rate of absorption of chlorine and other chemicals. The steam we inhale while showering can contain up to 20 times the concentration of chlorine and other synthetic chemicals as tap water, due to the fact that these chemicals vaporize at a much lower temperature and at a much faster rate than water. While over 98% of the water coming from the showerhead goes down the drain, 70% to 90% of the chemicals in the water vaporize before the water hits the ground.

Inhalation of chlorine and chemical vapors is a suspected cause of asthma and bronchitis. When chemicals are inhaled into our lungs they enter directly into our bloodstream and can have magnified effects versus ingested chemicals that are partially filtered by digestion. A recent study showed that over 1/4 of swim team members suffer from some degree of asthma due to chlorine inhalation.

Chlorine also strips the natural protective oils from skin & hair, causing excess drying and aging. In addition to the obvious health benefits of showering in chemical free water, the cosmetic benefits are even more noticeable. Anyone who has ever gone swimming in a chlorinated pool can relate to the harsh drying effect that chlorine has on your skin and hair. Without the negative effects of chlorine and other chemicals found in tap water, your skin and hair retain moisture more effectively for a younger healthier look and feel.

Removing chlorine and other volatile chemicals with a quality shower filter may offer great health benefits.