Very dry skin – feet, knees, elbows and hands. How to effectively moisturise the skin?

How to moisturise very dry skin? These questions usually arise in late autumn, winter and early spring. It’s not surprising. The weather conditions characteristic for these seasons, which also impact the temperature and humidity indoors, prove to be very challenging for thin and delicate skin. However, these are not the only causes of very dry skin this time of year. Find out what causes dry skin and how to address this problem.

Dry skin usually occurs in the areas which are most exposed to external factors, i.e. hands and face, and where the skin is constantly moving, i.e. elbows, knees and heels. However, dry skin can also affect other areas of the body. A lot depends on the cause of this issue.

Very dry skin – causes

Very dry skin on the hands or other areas of the body most often results from following a skincare routine which does not meet the needs of the skin or from making diet mistakes. All it takes for the epidermis to become rough, reddened and tightened is insufficient water intake, frequent exposure to cold and water or contact with irritants. In such cases, many people use a regular cream and forget about the problem.

However, we should not underestimate this issue when the skin becomes dehydrated. The causes of very dry skin can include:

• diabetes – high blood glucose levels inhibit skin cell proliferation, i.e. the skin's repair process, and accelerate cell destruction, leaving the skin feeling dry and irritated,
• thyroid disorders – decreased hormone levels cause intense flaking of the skin and make it look dull, rough and pale, 
• chronic kidney failure – too much calcium or phosphates in the blood causes itching and dryness, 
• atopic dermatitis – dry skin is one of its most common symptoms.

Your skin may also become dry gradually as you age. Elderly patients’ skin is much thinner and more susceptible to irritation than that of younger people. Very often the cosmetic products which used to be effective no longer work and the patient’s skin becomes dry, despite a carefully followed skincare routine. 

Symptoms of very dry skin 

What should you do if you’re unsure whether you need to use products for very dry skin? It is quite easy to recognise dehydrated skin, because its symptoms are very characteristic and difficult to confuse with any other skin condition. Those symptoms include:

• redness and roughness,
• the sensation of tightness,
• uncomfortable itching,
• susceptibility to damage,
• hypersensitivity to cosmetic products, water and temperature fluctuations,
• excessive flaking,
• cracking, e.g. when moving fingers,
• pain in response to touch.

Dryness may also be accompanied by brittle nails and even bleeding from the skin. As a result, simple tasks like washing hands or getting dressed can cause pain. This is why it is so important to prevent and appropriately treat dry skin.

How can you treat dry skin? 

Very dry skin on hands, feet and other parts of the body needs, first and foremost, an adequate dose of hydration and lubrication, i.e. its hydrolipid balance must be restored. In order to achieve that, you need to start using cosmetic products which contain ingredients that help moisturise and nourish the epidermis. 

Are you wondering what products are the best choice for very dry skin? We recommend products with urea which helps increase hydration levels in the stratum corneum and reduce TEWL, or transepidermal water loss. You can find urea in products such as:

• Seni Care nourishing hand cream with 3% urea – it contains linseed biocomplex, glycerin and grape seed oil which help soften and firm the epidermis. Due to the right concentration of urea, the product ensures healthy hydration of the skin if it is used regularly,
• Seni Care nourishing foot cream with 7% urea – it contains ingredients which help nourish and regenerate the epidermis, as well as a natural additive responsible for removing unpleasant odours. This cream is suitable for dry skin and has a slightly oily texture, which makes it a perfect product for hard skin of the feet.
• Seni Care cream for dry andcallused skin with 10% urea – its formula is characterised by a high concentration of urea which helps normalise the processes of exfoliation and keratinisation of the epidermis. Combined with other beneficial ingredients, it leaves dry and calloused skin feeling supple and smooth. It can be alternated with a hand cream or a foot cream with a lower concentration of urea.

In order to complement a dry skin routine, you can also choose products that contain ingredients of plant origin. They include:

• regenerating body balm for dry skin – this product contains plant-based butters and oils enriched with beneficial panthenol and glycerin which help alleviate the sensation of tightness and roughness of the skin. As a result, they bring relief and reduce itching. This product's formula has been carefully developed to ensure that it is quickly absorbed by the skin without leaving stains on clothing,
• Seni Care washing and oiling body lotion – this product has a lightweight texture and spreads easily on dry skin of the entire body. It is perfect for daily use, because it contains allantoin, lactic acid and trehalose which enhance the effect of urea and help restore softness and elasticity to the skin.

Bear in mind that using creams or lotions for very dry skin is not enough. It is necessary to drink enough water each day and follow a healthy, balanced diet which meets the body’s individual needs. By following this advice, you can solve the problem of dry skin and regain the feeling of comfort.