by Susan Quilty

Created on: September 11, 2008   Last Updated: September 24, 2008

Autumn may bring a shift towards cozy sweaters and flattering layers, but the crisp air of the changing season may also lead to dry, itchy skin.

There are steps you can take to revitalize your thirsting skin. Try the following home treatments for staving off dry skin before it starts.

Moisturize

Moisturizers add a layer of protection, adding water to your skin and keeping it there. Not everyone has the same skin type, so the moisturizer that works wonders for your best friend may not work as well for you.

Here are some moisturizer tips for different skin types:

Normal skin - Skin that is not too oily and not too dry should be maintained with a lightweight water-based moisturizer. Keep that natural moisture balance going by not using heavy oil-based lotions.

Sensitive skin - Skin that is easily irritated should avoid fragrance, dyes or other irritants. Try moisturizers labeled for sensitive skin and be sure they are fragrance-free.

Oily skin - Skin that naturally has more oil doesn't need more added in a moisturizer. Use a water-based, oil-free moisturizer that is labeled as non-comedogenic (will not block pores).

Dry skin - Skin that feels tight, flaky or papering needs more moisture! Moisturizers with oils will restore the moisture in dry skin and make it more supple.

Mature skin - As we age, oil production slows down often leaving skin dry. Even if you're used to having normal or oily skin, it may become dry especially after menopause.

You may need to shop around to find your best moisturizer. Knowing a little about moisturizers will make the shopping easier.

Here are the common elements of any moisturizer:

Emollients - Ingredients such as, mineral oil, petrolatum, and lanolin replace lipids (fats) in your skin. Emollients can be oil-based or water-based. Oil-based lotions last longer but may feel greasy. Water-based moisturizers work well but wear off faster.

Humectants - Ingredients such as urea, lactic acid, and alpha-hydroxy acids pull water from the air and add it to skin. Humectants soften the skin, but there needs to be enough humidity in the air for them to work properly.

Fragrance - Added to give lotion a pleasant scent, fragrances are the most likely ingredient to cause skin irritation and should be avoided by people with sensitive skin.

Preservatives - To prevent bacterial contamination, preservatives are added to moisturizers. They can irritate skin, but moisturizers labeled for sensitive skin use preservatives that are less likely to cause irritation.

While

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