Advice From a Dermatologist: Moisturizing Tips For You
We are coming upon the autumn and winter, and Dermatologists like myself across the country are working with patients of all ages to help keep their skin healthy by promoting moisturizers. In fact, your skin is somewhat like the motor of a machine, and just like a motor low on oil tends to creak and strain, your skin can break, crack, and wrinkle if it gets low on oil, allowing bacteria to enter and cause infection. Skin dryness this time of year is a particularly aggravating problem for people who suffer from eczema, or atopic dermatitis, because these patients tend to start itching and breaking out in rashes.
The good news is that there are many helpful cleansers and moisturizers available. Here are a couple of tips that I’ve picked up from thirty years of Dermatology practice:
Soap or cleanser is a necessary evil, so many Dermatologists suggest that patients use only mild cleansers or soaps, be they bar soaps or liquid soaps. Try to stay away from really drying soaps and cleansers. It’s often helpful to bathe no more often than once or twice a day, because the soap you’re using tends to draw the natural, healthy oils out of your skin. Good soap choices include Dove for Sensitive Skin®, Cetaphil®, Cerave®, Vanicream® Bar Soap, and Vanicream® Gentle Facial Cleanser.
It’s a good idea to apply some moisturizer at least once or twice a day. Helpful options include Eucerin® Facial Lotion, Purpose® Facial Lotion, Aveeno®, Moisturel™, Cerave®, and Vanicream®, or Vaniply Ointment.
Dermatologists often encourage patients to try to stay away from excessive fragrances in cosmetics and toiletry products, because perfumes tend to promote allergic reactions. A little fragrance might not be harmful, but it’s better to favor fragrance-free products.
For really dry skin, it generally helps to use a moisturizer that contains what’s called an Alpha-Hydroxy Acid, such as Lactic Acid, Tartaric Acid, or Glycolic Acid. An over-the-counter Lactic Acid-containing product is Amlactin™ Cream.
In 2016, after discussion within my own family of four Dermatologists, I decided to build upon 25 years of practicing Dermatology to create a company – called Big River Silk Skincare Inc. – www.Bigriversilkskincare.com - to make available Glycolic Acid-containing moisturizer creams and soaps across the country, which until now we have been manufacturing for Tennessee and Arkansas Dermatology patients, since the 1980s. The concept is SCIENCE SIMPLIFYING SKINCARE™. We use only organic and natural ingredients, with no dyes, formaldehyde, propylene glycol, nor sulfates. We have three lines of GLYCOSHEA™ Creams: GLYCOSHEA Facial&Neck Cream, GLYCOSHEA Hand&Body Cream/Standard Strength, and GLYCOSHEA Hand&Body Cream/High Strength. We also have a hypoallergenic fragrance-free moisturizer for children called HYPOSHEA™ Moisturizer Cream (www.Bigriversilkskincare.com).
So if you are getting itchy or developing a rash, consider getting an evaluation from a Dermatologist. The American Academy of Dermatology supports a website called “Find a Dermatologist” (go to AAD.or=>Public=>Find a Dermatologist),allowing people to find a Dermatologist close to their own zip code. The American Society of Dermatologic Surgery also has a Physician Finder by zip code available on their website. Or if you’re close to Memphis, TN, contact us for an appointment: 1-901-753-0168 (Info@rheumderm.com).
George Woodbury Jr. M.D. (10/23/2018) Rheumatology and Dermatology Associates 8143 Walnut Grove Road Cordova Tn 38018 (1-901-753-0168)
