by Words of Art

Created on: September 10, 2008   Last Updated: September 17, 2008

As the weather changes from the hot and sometimes humid days of summer to the cooler, dryer air of autumn, dry skin is a problem that begins to plague many in the population. Almost overnight, skin that was smooth and supple during the summer months begins to flake and crack as harsher elements start to wreak their havoc. Fortunately, there are many ways to deal with dry skin, but being proactive is important. It's much easier to prevent dry skin from occurring than to get it under control once it has a firm foothold.

For every type of skin, an important method of prevention is to drink plenty of water. Believe it or not, dehydration is a major contributor to the woes of dry skin. Make sure to drink at least 64 oz. of water each day. In addition to a multitude of health benefits, this goes a long way toward healthy and hydrated skin.
For skin that is normally oily or acne prone, relieving that autumn dryness is a big challenge. It's important to choose a moisturizer that is oil-free so that skin doesn't become overloaded with oil and produce blemishes. Also, it's okay to apply moisturizer only to the dry, problem areas on the skin, avoiding the points that are prone to breakouts.
For combination skin, an oil-free moisturizer is still important. If there are extra-dry areas, it may be necessary to use another moisturizer there, one that is made from essential oils.
For extra dry skin all over, look for a moisturizer that contains mostly essential oils. These oils penetrate the pores and have a greater effect on skin than those containing mineral oil or petroleum jelly. The petroleum bases of those types of lotions sit on top of the skin, their molecules too large to soak in to the deeper layers.
If specific problem areas exist, it's important to target them specifically. For example, if you have dry, cracked heels or hands, apply a thick moisturizer specially formulated for heels or palms right before bedtime, then sleep in white cotton socks or gloves to allow it hours to soak in. Repeated treatments of this nature result in a reduction of the cracking and roughness that these problem areas tend to generate.
If your skin tends to become dryer in the autumn, you don't have to just tolerate it until springtime. Take steps to prevent and treat dry skin early on and the problem becomes more manageable over time.

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