Ask your pharmacist about dry skin

Dry skin can occur at any time of the year, but it can become more common as the weather becomes colder. It can appear at any age and, while it usually doesn’t present any serious problems, it can be associated with other medical conditions such as eczema, contact dermatitis and psoriasis.

The skin is made up of many different layers and it forms a natural barrier to protect our body from the outside environment. To help protect the outer layer of the skin from losing water, the skin produces an oily substance called sebum. If the skin does not have enough sebum, it loses water which causes dry skin.

Common causes of dry skin include:
 Excessive bathing
 Showering, scrubbing the skin while washing, or harsh soaps that dissolve the protective layer of sebum
 Environmental conditions that increase water loss, such as very hot, dry weather or central heating
 Frequent exposure to wind and sun can evaporate water from the skin, making the surface feel itchy and dry.
 Decreased production of sebum, which is often a factor in the elderly.

To help reduce symptoms, emollients can be used to moisture the skin. Emollients are moisturising treatments that are applied directly to the skin to soothe and hydrate it. There are various types of emollients that can be bought over the counter at your local pharmacy to help reduce dryness, relieve itching and soften cracks.

Your local pharmacy should always be your first choice for help with dry skin. Pharmacists are highly trained experts in medicines, and they can offer you advice and treatments without you needing to see a GP.