6 Ingredients to Avoid if You Have Dry Skin
Both the searing summer sun and harsh cold winter air can wreak havoc on skin and make it look parched and weathered, and once it sets in, dry skin can be difficult to resolve. While trying to regain moisture, some ingredients that are commonly found in soaps and lotions should be avoided.
Alcohol
Many skin preparations such as soaps and certain lotions contain alcohol which is a major contributing factor to dry skin, and it is the most prevalent ingredient in hand sanitizers. When reading product labeling, any ingredient ending in “ol” indicates a form of alcohol and should be avoided.
Fragrances
Lotions, soaps and body washes that are heavily perfumed rob the skin of moisture. For dry skin, it is better to opt for products that are fragrance-free. In addition, deodorant soap has ingredients that can worsen parched skin.
Surfactants
Surfactants are ingredients added to soap and body wash that are designed to increase the foaming action of a product, but they are also prone to causing dryness. The following additives are surfactants commonly found in skin preparations:
tallowate
sodium lauryl sulfate
ammonium lauryl sulfate
cocoate
Salicylic Acid
Found in many skin treatment programs to fight wrinkles and other signs of aging, salicylic acid can also deplete moisture when used in excessive amounts. When using products with the additive, it is important to carefully follow instructions to avoid overuse and subsequent drying. Product labeling may also list the active ingredient as “willow bark.”
Antibacterial Products
Many cleansing agents on the market are enhanced with additional antibacterial ingredients which can make dry skin worse. Recent studies have found that most soap products do an excellent job of eliminating pathogens without the addition of antimicrobials, so purchasing antibacterial soap is not usually necessary.
Benzoyl Peroxide
Benzoyl Peroxide is the main active ingredient in many acne-fighting skin preparations. While it may work wonders to eliminate pimples, it is a very harsh irritant and often leaves the surrounding skin red, dry and peeling.
