While it’s true that we get more drier skin during winter, it’s possible to beat this problem
By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
Dry skin season is here. But if you’re an older adult, it may seem like your skin is always at least somewhat dry.
“As we get older, the fat pad under the skin shrinks and the skin can get thinner,” said physician Sharon Brangman, faculty at Upstate Medical University. Brangman is a distinguished service professor who chairs geriatric medicine and directs the Upstate Center of Excellence for Alzheimer’s Disease.
She said that skin care is important because “intact skin is our main protection against infection. Dry skin is more likely to have damage.”
Thinner skin is more prone to tears. Cracks and tears can allow infection into the body.
For that reason, Brangman advises patients to moisturize their skin. However, it’s vital to choose the right type of moisturizer. Lotion tends to evaporate quickly and not provide lasting moisture. Cream is better, but ointment-style moisturizers offer the longest lasting dry skin relief.
“The ones that are most effective are in little tubs, not a squirt bottle or pump,” she said. “People don’t like it because it’s thick and feels like Crisco. But it’s the most moisturizing.”
For dry hands and feet, apply a thick layer of moisturizer before bed and wear socks and gloves to protect your sheets.
Lifestyle changes can also help. For example, wear gloves and cover as much of your skin as possible when going outdoors. Don rubber gloves when washing dishes or cleaning.
“Don’t take hot showers and avoid baths,” Brangman said. “Baths expose your skin to water too long. Shower less frequently and use lukewarm water. We’ve been programmed to take a hot shower with shampoo and soap every day and you don’t need to. A lot of times when you have dry skin, you have itchy skin. People shampoo their hair so much it gets dry and breaks off.”
Skip using a loofah and other abrasive shower tools. Pat the skin dry instead of briskly rubbing it with a towel. Between showers, wash up only the areas that tend to retain odors.
The products you use also make a difference. Brangman recommended avoiding deodorizing soaps and highly scented bodywashes.
“There are brands that are milder and dry out skin less,” she said.
How you wash your clothing, towels and bed linens also matters. Brands of detergent that contain dyes and scents can irritate skin. Brangman tells patients to skip these in favor of “free and clear” varieties.
“They’re better on your skin,” she said.
Hydration can also help prevent dry skin. Aim to drink half your weight in water daily. For example, a 150-pound person would need 75 ounces of water.