Avoiding dry winter skin

Dry skin is a common problem, especially during winter when there is low humidity in the air. Dry skin occurs when there is not enough water in the stratum corneum for it to function properly. The stratum corneum is the outermost layer of the skin which acts like plastic food wrap to prevent our skin from losing moisture.

Skin dries out when the protective oils in the stratum corneum are lost and water escapes from the skin. There are various reasons why skin can lose its protective oils. Too much soapy water, exposure to harsh chemicals, the aging process, and certain types of skin diseases are often to blame.

As the stratum corneum dries out, it shrinks and causes small cracks to appear. This exposes the underlying living cells to irritating substances and germs in the environment.

How you cleanse and moisturise your skin holds the key to treating dryness. It is best to take a short bath or shower for no longer than 10 minutes just once a day. Longer exposure to water, especially warm water, can increase the loss of natural oils from the skin.

Using a soap-free cleanser only when and where it is needed, instead of all over your body, is another key to preventing skin dryness. If you’ve washed your face with soap before, you know how it feels tight and dry afterwards. That’s because soap strips the skin of its natural oils and disrupts its delicate pH balance.

The allmedic doctors have formulated a clinical skin care product range, including a pH balanced, non-soap, foaming face and body cleanser in the form of a gel or bar. These are suitable for all skin types, including dry and sensitive skin. The allmedic Face & Body Cleanser contains 4 active surfactants (cleansers) that are mild and effective at removing dirt and oil. The Non-Soap Bar is pH balanced at 5.2-5.8 to help prevent drying of the skin.

Moisturising is vital during winter to rehydrate the skin and avoid cracks and wrinkling associated with dryness. allmedic’s Night Repair Serum contains encapsulated retinol (vitamin A). This is one of the most important anti-wrinkle ingredients. More stable and longer lasting than other forms of retinol, encapsulated retinol assists in the skin’s rejuvenation process, smooths away fine lines and improves the condition of damaged skin caused by dehydration, aging and daily pollutants.

allmedic’s powerful skin repair product range also offers clinical skin care for sun damaged skin and more than a cut, burn and poison approach to skin cancer.

To find your nearest medical centre or skin clinic where these allmedic products are available, visit our clinic locator website page.