For Very Dry Skin

Apply twice daily, both morning and night, more if necessary Before applying first test the product on a small area of skin if that is not possible then apply a small amount to a small area to see if there is any reaction. If so, stop further applications immediately, rinse with clean water, pat dry and moisturise.

Take a fingertip of the product on wet hands and apply to the area when wet with a very gentle downward stroking motion being careful not to agitate the skin and avoid the eyes. Continue to massage gently for approximately one minute per area then rinse with clean water and pat dry with a clean soft towel.

Moisturise with SkinKind Deep Skin Moisturiser, preferably unperfumed, within three minutes of drying, when the skin is warm and damp then regularly throughout the day.

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AVOIDING DRY SKIN

MOISTURISING

Soaps and harsh detergents should not be used on skin because they can strip the natural skin oils which lead to excessive dryness. Instead, the use of moisturising body wash, or an emollient like aqueous cream, will maintain natural skin oils and may reduce some of the need to moisturise the skin. Another option is to try bathing using colloidal oatmeal bath treatments. In addition to avoiding soap, other products that may dry the skin such as soap powders or perfumed soap should be avoided.

Moistening agents are called `emollients`. In general, it is best to match thicker ointments to the driest, skin, where light emollients like aqueous cream may not have any effect on dry skin. Generally, twice-daily applications of emollients work best. While creams are easy to apply, they are quickly absorbed into the skin, and therefore need frequent reapplication. Ointments with less water content stay on the skin for longer and need fewer applications, but they can be greasy and inconvenient.

Regardless of more or less frequent bathing, the hardness of the bathing water is a major factor. Soft water can have therapeutic effects for people with eczema currently using hard water. An ion exchange water softener can be installed (plumbing required) to reduce the hardness of the water supply.

Detergents are so common in modern environments in items like tissues, and so persistent on surfaces “safe” soaps are necessary to remove them from the skin. Although most recommendations use the terms “detergents” and “soaps” interchangeably, and tell sufferers to avoid both< detergents and soaps are not the same and are not equally problematic to sufferers. Detergents, often made from petrochemicals, increase the permeability of skin membranes in a way that soaps and water alone do not.

Recommendations in choosing a soap generally include:

• Avoid harsh detergents or drying soaps
• Choose a soap that has an oil or fat base
• Use an unscented soap
• Patch test your soap choice, by using it only on a small area until you are sure of its results
• Use a non-soap based cleanser

Instructions for using soap:

• Use soap sparingly
• Avoid using washcloths, sponges, or loofahs, or anything that will abrade the skin
• Use soap only on areas where it is necessary
• Soap up only at the very end of your bath
• Use a fragrance-free barrier-type moisturizer such as petroleum jelly before drying off

Use care when selecting lotion, soap, or perfumes to avoid suspected allergens; ask your doctor for recommendations.

Never rub your skin dry, or else your skins oil/moisture will be on the towel and not your body; pat dry instead.