Dry skin is a very common problem seen by podiatrists and is suffered by around 29% of the working age population and this percentage dramatically increases with age. Nearly 90% of people over 80 have dry skin.
Unfortunately, it's something that becomes more common as we get older. Our skin, the largest organ of the body, is a remarkable structure which is able to act as a barrier between us and the outside world.
Why do we have skin?
One of the main functions of the skin is to stop us dehydrating and losing water through it. It does this by acting as a waterproof layer from which water can’t escape. It works because the skin very cleverly produces its own waterproof coating, made from oils and fats known as “natural moisturising factors”. Skin cells are constantly producing these natural moisturisers into the outermost layer of the skin, the epidermis, replenishing the skin and keeping it healthy.
Not only do our natural moisturising factors prevent the skin from drying out but they keep our skin healthy - more soft and supple. Healthy skin is much less likely to become damaged or be prone to infections, itching or irritation.
What happens as we get older?
Unfortunately, as we get older, our skin is not able to produce these factors so quickly, so our skin is more prone to dryness.
What can make dry skin worse?
Unfortunately, due to the way we look after our skin, many of the things we do regularly can remove these natural moisturisers, making it dry, flaky and itchy. Common things that can cause this include:
Bathing and soaking in the shower bath, particularly if the water is too hot.
Vigorous drying and towelling.
Excessive exposure to the sun and air conditioning.
Medications that we may take (like statins).
Lower humidity conditions - such as the central heating in the winter.
The use of shower gels, bubble baths and soaps.
Why do shower gels, bubble baths and soaps make our skin dry?
Believe it or not, the very things we use when showering or bathing are a leading cause of skin dryness. The reason is that virtually all soaps, shower gels and bubble baths contain degreasing agents which act like detergents and remove our natural moisturising factors from the skin.
How do I know if a product is drying my skin?
It's easy to tell - simply put some of it in your hand and run it under a tap. If it foams or lather, it's not good for your skin. The main ingredient that manufacturers use is something called SODIUM LAURYL SULPHATE (SLS). This is a harsh degreasing agent which really dries our skin. So why do they add it to so many of our products? Because it makes the product foam and makes the skin feel cleaner as it degreases. But, in truth it makes the skin drier.
So how can I help my skin?
There are a number of things you can do to help your skin, and reduce dryness:
Limit the time spent in the shower or bath.
Turn the water temperature down a few degrees.
Avoid soaps and SLS-containing products. Use a skin cleanser in the shower instead.
Moisturise your skin immediately, with a good quality moisturiser, after a shower or bath to replenish the lost oils and fats from your skin.
What is a good skin cleanser / moisturiser?
There are many good ones on the market, and when used instead of soap or shower gels , they can clean the skin but without stripping out the natural moisturising factors in the skin.
Look for ones which contain ingredients your skin naturally manufacturers like ceramides, urea, hyaluronic or lactic acid. These are substances naturally produced by the skin and by using products can replace those lost by bathing. Your podiatrist will stock and advise which foot creams will suit you. They should also be able to advise you about general moisturisers and soap substitutes for the rest of your body.