And why should you avoid many mainstream anti aging products?
Dry skin care is always and itchy subject. Because if you have a dryness problem such as dry itchy skin it really can be extremely annoying. So let’s examine some of the causes of dry skin and in particular consider what you should look for in a good dry skin lotion.
Having skin that is dry, itchy, exhibits a red rash and can sometimes be cracked and painful can be caused by a number of different factors. Some of them can be serious and we should caution you that it is always worthwhile to consult a doctor if you consider there is any possibility that your condition requires medical care.
There are a number of conditions which can result in dry itchy skin which are best the subject of care by a doctor or dermatologist. For example eczema, psoriasis and dermatitis are skin conditions which may well require competent medical care. You should not rely simply on skin shielding lotions or moisturizers to solve these problems, because it is unlikely that they will.

In particular, if you have cracked skin, you should always consult a doctor. One of the reasons that this is that cracks can allow the ingress of infection. And of course a doctor or dermatologist will be able give you individual treatment. For example if you need a good eczema treatment or dermatitis treatment that is best sought from a doctor.
But it’s also true to say that some skin conditions causing dry skin are not sufficiently serious to warrant the care of a doctor, and that the use of a good dry skin lotion or moisturizer may well solve the problem.
So let’s look at some other factors involved in choosing a good lotion for dry skin. The first thing that you need to understand is that many mainstream anti aging products, including many big name moisturizers, can actually be bad for your skin. Whilst that might come as a bit of a shock the fact is that many big name anti aging products, including moisturizers, contain ingredients that can irritate the skin. And the last thing that you need if you suffer from dry skin is to irritate it.
If you’re interested to read more about this then read our article about dangerous skin care products.
There are many natural ingredients including natural oils sourced from plants which are extremely beneficial to dry skin. Some examples are avocado oil, shea butter and olive oil, all of which are extracted from the nuts and fruits of plants. None of these are dangerous to your skin or irritate it, and none of these have any negative health effects. In fact all have been eaten by people for generations.
And as well as natural oils there is also a wide range of other natural ingredients which are extremely effective. Research has shown over the last few years, for example, that a seaweed found around the coast of Japan called Phytessence Wakame contains a range of natural substances which help promote better skin health. And Phytessence Wakame also helps moisturize and protect as well. In fact it’s one of the reasons that Japanese women look so good right into old age. They eat Phytessence Wakame.
But the sad fact is that the mainstream companies producing such products as moisturizers and other dry skin lotions continue to use chemical and petrochemical ingredients in their products. These ingredients, though in some cases being an irritant, are way cheaper than the natural alternatives, so allow them to keep the costs of the product down and direct more money to marketing, which is where profits come from.
You should always look for a dry skin lotion containing only natural ingredients. We have talked about how you use the Cosmetic Safety Database to research various ingredients in anti aging products so it’s quite possible to do some background research.
There are some excellent natural skin care products that work very well for anyone suffering from dry skin. They are not a specific dry skin lotion because they promote optimum skin health for all skin types. Better health means more moisture, and this includes reduced dryness.
Remember, dry skin can be a condition requiring medical care, but it can in some cases also be successfully treated using high quality anti aging products that moisturize and promote overall skin health. Read the rest of this entry
Written by Peter Crump - Natural Skin Health