From the title of this post, you might think that I’m only
trying to exaggerate the efficacy of these two remedies. But that’s very far
from the truth.
All you have to do is to use your preferred search engine and
find out what people are saying about them. A lot of accounts (first-hand
experiences) abound out there. And not only that, a few clinical trials have
confirmed that they are effective. Having said that, let us take a look at what
dry skin is all about.
Dry skin is a condition characterized by lack of adequate
moisture on the superficial layer of the skin. Common areas where dry skin
affect include legs, hands and arms. In most cases, dry skin is temporal and
it’s not a serious health issue except that it will make the skin unattractive.
Serious cases of dry skin are inherited or caused by underlying health issues
(it is best to visit a medical professional in severe cases).
There are different
causes of dry skin. They include; prolonged bath/shower, dry or cold weather,
harsh soaps. And dry skin cases can easily be identified through its symptoms
which include peeling or scaling of the skin, ashy skin in dark coloured
people, rough skin, tightening of the skin after bath, redness, itching, and
lines on the skin. Old people are more prone to dry skin although it can still occur
at any age. Again, people with occupations that always immerse their skin in
water (like hairstylists and nurses) often suffer from dry skin.
Ordinarily, home remedies, identifying the cause of dry skin,
and tackling it can easily take care of dry skins. However, if there are no
changes after sometime, it’s best to visit a medical professional. This is
because, severe cases of dry skin can lead to atopic dermatitis (eczema), fissures
on the skin which can lead to bleeding and infection when scratched.
Home Remedies
Like I always say, before trying any home remedy for any health
condition, first try in small quantity in an unaffected area to check your
body’s reaction. With that in mind, let’s forge ahead.
Coconut oil:
Coconut oil which is a coconut
extract is famous for its numerous health benefits especially for the skin. Coconut
oil which can serve as a massage oil is also a good skin moisturizer. It is
rich in saturated fats. These fatty acids lock in moisture into the skin
thereby preventing dehydration of the skin. Coconut oil also contains vitamin E
which nourishes the skin and helps prevent cracking of the skin.
Furthermore, a study compared the
effectiveness of coconut oil and mineral oil as moisturizers for mild to
moderate dry skin cases. The clinical trial was conducted on 34 patients for
two weeks. And the study reported that there was a significant improvement in
skin hydration for both treatments.
For faster
results, use twice daily (morning and night). Use immediately after bath. Don’t
dry the body completely after bath. Just pat dry and apply coconut oil.
Sunflower seed oil:
Sunflower seed oil which is rich in
omega 6 fatty acid is a good remedy for dry skin. The oil which is also rich in
vitamin E, A, C and D helps the skin to retain moisture. And to top it all, it
is also a good remedy for wrinkles and it also helps to reduce the negative
effects of the sun on the skin. Sunflower oil is light, meaning that the skin
easily absorbs it.
Again, a
study first published in 2012 evaluated the effect of olive oil and
sunflower seed oil on the skin barrier. The study conducted on 19 adults
reported that the volunteers who used sunflower seed oil had improved hydration
of the skin and sun flower seed oil also preserved the stratum corneum (skin
barrier) unlike olive oil that affected the skin barrier. The study went
further to discourage the use of olive oil for treating dry skin because of its
negative effect on the skin barrier.
Apply on the
affected area twice daily.
Important tips
·
Use
warm water and avoid using hot water (hot water removes oil from the skin).
·
Long
baths can cause dry skin. 5-10 minutes is ideal.
·
Antibacterial
soaps and frequent use of sanitizers can cause dry skin. Use mild soaps and
detergents.
·
Apply
these natural moisturizers when the skin is still damp. Don’t dry the skin
completely after bath. Pat dry and apply.
·
Use
a humidifier (in cases of dry weather).
Don't forget to share with friends and drop your comments
No comments:
Post a Comment