Dry Skin, Corner of Mouth Sores or Splits are Often Characteristic of Angular Chelitis

A crusty sore at usually each corner of your mouth or lips is often Angular Chelitis. The legions feel like paper cuts or splits at the corners of the mouth making it painful to open it for eating. A sensitivity to acidic beverages like orange juice is also reported.

The dry skin often lacerates and an accompanying yeast infection develops inside the mouth if the affliction is left unchecked. Angular Chelitis is not contagious, however, the fungal infection, Candida (thrush) unfortunately is.

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The infection is traced back to an iron deficiency however, many people report an attack during the onset of winter or a cold snap. Many sufferers get an attack several times a year, while some report an almost permanent toleration condition. This is because typically, 1% hydro cortisone is prescribed, however this rarely has any affect on the symptoms leading to the sufferer giving up on controlling and curing the affliction. If you have split dry, painful skin at the corners of your mouth or lips, you need not suffer through this condition and the cure is quite simple and easy. Even though this is an infection due to an iron deficiency, you can quickly subdue these symptoms with household items.

Dry Skin, Corner of Mouth Sores or Splits are Often Characteristic of Angular Chelitis

Dry, lacerated skin legions at the corner of the mouth can be cured however the cure is little known. See your doctor if you are unsure, however the quickest way to arm yourself with the right information is to learn the name of your condition. Once you know the name, you can easily research it for more information on line. The quickest way to do a quick amateur self diagnosis is to look at pictures of the condition and compare them with your own symptoms.

Most Angular Chelitis sufferers would do almost anything to rid themselves of the painful and unsightly lacerations at the corner of their mouth, when the affliction sprouts in full bloom.

Dry Skin, Corner of Mouth Sores or Splits are Often Characteristic of Angular Chelitis

If you would like to look at pictures that can help you verify your own condition, you can download this simple and effective cure from the Angular Chelitis Foundation. Their official treatment instructions are very effective. After following treatment instructions, you can expect the symptoms relieved and the legions in the corners of your mouth completely dried out within a few hours. http://www.angularchelitis-foundation.com

Dry Skin - Do Vitamin Supplements Really Work?

There are a number of different approaches that you can take when it comes to curing dry skin. You can decrease the amount of times that you shower and turn down your water temperature. You can increase your fluid intake and purchase a humidifier. Or you may even consider applying lotions and intense moisturizing creams to your skin. But is there anything else that you can do? Is it possible to treat dry skin with a vitamin supplement?

To see if vitamin supplements really cure dry skin, we must first understand how the body nourishes skin and how dry patches occur in the first place. The skin is the body's largest organ and as such is nourished by blood vessels and the endocrine system. Granted, the skin is a visible organ so it is easy to see why many people try to treat their dry skin merely through a topical approach. But keep in mind that the skin gets nutrients, moisture and vitamins through the internal systems. This is why an internal approach to curing dry skin is so important.

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How Do Vitamin Supplements Cure Dry Skin?

Dry Skin - Do Vitamin Supplements Really Work?

As mentioned before, your skin is nourished through the circulatory system. In fact, the majority of your skin's moisture is produced from the water that you drink. If you become dehydrated (most people are and do not even realize it), your body will start to pull moisture from other parts of the body to help with essential functions. One of the first places where this happens is the skin. This is why it is extremely important to drink plenty of water.

Vitamins can help restore health and beauty to dry skin by providing essential nutrients that your skin needs. Antioxidant vitamins such as Vitamin C and Vitamin E help boost healthy cell reproduction which results in youthful, healthy, hydrated skin. Vitamins also help restore a healthy balance to your entire body which greatly affects the appearance of your skin. If you are tired or sick, your skin is often the first place where this shows.

What Vitamins Work at Curing Dry Skin?

Now that you know what important role that vitamins play in curing your dry skin, you are likely wondering which vitamins work the best. Here is a guide to help you decide which vitamins you should be taking as part of your skin care routine:

* Daily multivitamin - Many dry skin conditions are caused by the lack of essential vitamins which are normally absorbed by the body from the foods that we eat. In many cases, though, a regular diet does not supply all of the vitamins that the body needs. This is where taking a daily multivitamin supplement comes in handy.

* Vitamins A and B - Vitamins A and B are vital for skin hydration. If your body is lacking in either of these vitamins, you may begin to show signs of dry skin. These vitamins are normally found in common foods such as fish and leafy vegetables. If you do not consume enough of these types of foods, you may want to consider taking a supplement.

* Vitamin E - If your skin looks dull and lifeless, a lack of Vitamin E is probably to blame. This vitamin is found in foods like olive oil. Vitamin E is also readily absorbed by the skin so topical treatments containing this vitamin can be effective for treating dull and dry skin.

* Antioxidants - Antioxidants ensure healthy cell reproduction. This results in young, healthy and moist skin. You see, skin is renewed on a continuous basis. Daily your skin is producing new skin cells to take the place of dead cells. When you're young, these new skin cells are exact replicas of the old ones. As you age, though, the replicas can become mutated resulting in aged and dry skin.

As you can see, there are many vitamins that combat dry skin. Remember, your skin is an outward reflection of what is going on inside your body. You need to take care of your health, eat a proper diet, and drink plenty of water for your skin to look the best that it possibly can.

There are also many health conditions that can affect the appearance of your skin. Be sure to keep medical conditions such as diabetes, thyroid disease and Hodgkin's disease under control. This will make it much easier to maintain the health of your skin. Dry skin does not have to be a life long or even a seasonal sentence. Simple things like adding vitamins to your diet can do to lot for your dry skin.

Dry Skin - Do Vitamin Supplements Really Work?

www.dryskinsite.com brings you all the latest information you need to combat your dry skin problems. There's nothing to buy, just really helpful information. Be sure to check out pages like Dry Skin: Do Vitamin Supplements Really Work?

Dry Skin Remedy

If you are looking for a dry skin remedy, look no farther than your kitchen pantry. You can make a dry skin natural remedy just by combining common foods and applying them to the skin. Some foods act as an internal remedy for dry skin as well. Some of the ingredients that can be used in a home remedy for extremely dry skin are honey, yogurt, olive oil, and oatmeal. Some herb teas are useful, too, as are a variety of other fruits and seeds.

Honey, a dry skin natural remedy, is a substance that is healing to the skin. When applied to the skin it is healing and moisturizing. It helps dead skin cells move from the surface and stimulates renewal and regrowth of skin tissues. It is also antibacterial. In severe cases, you can put honey on skin that needs a bandage. It will keep the bandage from sticking to the wounded skin. Yogurt can be used as a skin cleanser, acting as a natural moisturizer. Oatmeal heals and soothes dry skin, and helps the skin to slough off dead skin cells.

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Cold-pressed olive oil works as an emollient, which means it soothes and softens. It helps the itching of eczema, which is a itchy skin condition characterized by oozing lesions. Eczema is sometimes associated with dry skin but not always. Olive oil can also be used on the scalp as a remedy for extremely dry skin and hair. Not only can olive oil be used externally, it is also an internal remedy for dry skin, along with other healthy oils. If you suffer from dry skin, try adding some heathful oils to your diet. It doesn't take a lot, as oils are very high in calories. Nuts are full of beneficial oil, as are fatty fish, such as salmon and mackerel.

Dry Skin Remedy

Certain herb teas work as an internal remedy for dry skin. Use one teaspoon of the dried herb to one cup of boiling water. Remove from heat and let steep for 5 minutes. Covering the cup with a saucer while it is steeping will keep the medicinal properties of the herb from evaporating away. Some herbs that are beneficial as an internal remedy for dry skin problems are marshmallow, dandelion, peppermint, calendula, borage, and chamomile.

Soap and body wash are drying to the skin. You can make an alternative to a bar of soap by tying oatmeal flour or in a cloth tea bag can be used instead of soap. For extra moisturizing, add a little almond meal and aloe vera gel.

The following home remedy for dry skin is a soothing facial mask that can be made from ingredients in your kitchen. Combine an egg yolk with a tablespoon of mayonnaise or yogurt and and another tablespoon of honey. If you use yogurt, add a 1/2 tsp. of almond oil. Apply to skin lightly and let it dry. Wash off gently with warm water. Another healing facial mask that is a remedy for extremely dry skin is to beat an egg and add oat flour to it. You can make oat flour by whizzing oatmeal around in the blender. Spread the mixture on your face and relax for 10 minutes before gently washing it away. Always treat your delicate dry skin with the utmost of care.

Here is an alphabetical list of botanicals (plant products) that have been found beneficial in creating a dry skin natural remedy (to be used on the surface of the skin): aloe vera, apple, apricot pulp, banana pulp, chamomile, comfrey root, coriander seed, elderflower, fennel seed, grape pulp, green tea leaf, honey, kefir, lavender flower, licorice root, mango pulp, marshmallow root, whole milk, oatmeal, rose petals, and yogurt. Add to these whole milk, either cow's or goat's, and the cultured milk products yogurt and kefir. Honey and egg yolk round out the kitchen pharmacy for dry skin solutions. If you wish to try creating your own dry skin solutions using these ingredients, please choose plant products that have not been sprayed with pesticides. Furthermore, don't gather wild herbs that grow near a busy highway. The plants will absorb the exhaust fumes from the traffic and might do more harm than good. If you use seeds, make a strong tea of them by boiling them gently for 10 minutes and then letting them steep for an hour.

Dry Skin Remedy

Jerrick Foo has been researching and developing all dry skin care the purpose of offering men and women safe, dry skin care tips. He have created Dry Skin Care Guide to share his 10 years of combined expertise with you. Visit http://www.dry-skin-care-guide.com for essential skin care tips.

Choosing The Best Soap For Your Dry Skin

Not only is dry skin a nuisance to deal with, it is uncomfortable. It is tight, itchy and painful. Sometimes, it can even crack and bleed leaving the way for infection to set in. You see, skin care is not always just about looking good, it is about staying healthy. If you fail to take care of your skin, you may set yourself up for a host of diseases and complications. After all, your skin is the largest organ of your body. It is responsible for numerous bodily functions that all work together to keep you healthy. This is why you should always strive to take care of your skin the best that you can.

Skin care should be a part of your daily routine no matter if you have dry skin or not. Having a good skin care regimen will prevent your skin from drying out in the first place. And since prevention is worth a pound of cure, it is in your best interest to start a routine if you don't currently have one. If you do have a routine, you may need to adjust it just a bit to achieve the best results.

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To understand how to take care of your dry skin, you first need to understand how your skin remains moist and healthy. Skin tissue is moisturized from the inside out, meaning that your body produces the moisture that is encased in the layers of your skin. It is not absorbed by the skin. While moisture is not absorbed into the layers of your skin, it can be evaporated from your skin by the sun, hot water, extreme temperatures, and other external factors.

Choosing The Best Soap For Your Dry Skin

To help hold moisture in, your hair follicles produce oil which is called sebum. This oil wells up in the hair follicles until it spills over creating a layer of sebum on the skin. It is this layer of sebum which is responsible for protecting your skin from the elements and holding in moisture. Most cases of dry skin are caused by some sort of failure in this system. In some cases, the body just does not produce enough oil to keep skin moist due to genetics or a medical condition. In other cases, the oil may be removed through excessive bathing.

Bathing and Dry Skin

The one thing that you do that can really zap moisture from your skin is bathing. Not only do you remove sebum from your skin with soap while bathing, you also dehydrate your skin with hot water. Here are just a few ways that bathing causes dry skin and how to correct them:

* Length of shower - You would think that water would cause your skin to become moist, right? Wrong! Water that is absorbed into your skin during a shower only goes into the first layers of the skin resulting in a wrinkly, water logged appearance. This water is immediately evaporated once you leave the bath. In fact, a long shower or bath may even dry skin out.

* Water temperature - Hot water does a great deal when it comes to removing moisture from your skin. Be sure to use lukewarm or tepid water for your shower or bath.

* Soap - Harsh soaps can remove all of the oils from the surface of your skin resulting in dry, unprotected skin. Be sure to use a gentle soap that does not remove all surface oils. You may even want to use a moisturizing soap that will replace some of the oils removed from your skin through bathing.

* After shower - If you roughly dry your skin after you bathe, you may further dry it out. Gently pat skin dry and apply a moisturizer.

Soap for Your Dry Skin

You need to be careful when choosing the right soap for your dry skin. Not only does the soap need to be gentle and full of moisturizers, it should also be lightly fragrant. This is because heavy fragrances can irritate skin that is already raw from itching and scratching. Certain fragrances may even cause an allergic reaction which will only cause your dry skin to become worse.

When looking to purchase body soap for your dry skin, look for pure, gentle cleansing products that contain a lot of moisturizers. Be sure to read the ingredient label. Avoid products that have high alcohol content. Remember; product ingredients are listed according to how much ingredient is in each product. The ingredients listed first are the most abundant. Make sure that these are moisturizers.

Choosing The Best Soap For Your Dry Skin

www.dryskinsite.com brings you all the latest information you need to combat your dry skin problems. There's nothing to buy, just really helpful information. Be sure to check out pages like Dry Skin Soap. © 2007 copyright by DSquare Marketing and Della Franklin.

Dry Skin - Fighting Back

Dry skin can be horribly annoying. Having dry skin on your face looks unpleasant and the dry flakes can mix with the few oils in your skin or your cosmetics and lead to clogged pores.

Dry skin on arms and legs can become irritating and itchy, especially during dry weather and winter months. You find yourself using lotion every day, but still seem to get dry skin. Is there no other way of getting back your happy, soft skin?

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The answer to that is yes. Lotions and creams are not the only answer to the dry skin dilemma. In fact, there are several steps you can take in order to help ease and prevent dry skin.

Dry Skin - Fighting Back

The No Soak Rule. Soaking in a tub, Jacuzzi, or lingering in a hot shower may feel nice, but later on you may find your skin becoming exceptionally dry. Soaking in all that water does not add moisture to your skin, but instead strips away your natural oils that keep you staying soft and supple. Keep your baths or showers short and avoid extreme temperatures in your water; keep it warm but not too hot.

Skip the Bath Oils. Yes, bath oils may smell nice and seem like a good idea, but in fact, the opposite is true (well, except for the smelling nice part). When it comes to your skin, bath oils are not going to moisturize and instead make you want to soak for even longer than usual. We have already established the No Soak Rule.

Also, oils may wind up trapping some cleansing product ingredients to your skin. Having these ingredients stuck on you even after you step out of the tub can lead to more dryness and irritation. Wait until later to put oils on your skin.

Skip the Soap. Unless a soap is specifically made for dry skin and you know it will not make your skin worse, avoid them. Instead, opt for cleansers that are gentle on your skin and do not leave you with a feeling of dried skin anywhere on your body. When washing, avoid getting overzealous with scrubbing as this will only further remove natural oils and leave your skin even drier than before.

Exfoliate. Though you do not want to over scrub your skin, you do want to remove dead skin cells to give your skin a fresh, healthy look. Find a gentle product exfoliating product for dry skin. Be careful when choosing a product that contains harsh abrasive elements as these will only serve to harm your skin more.

Moisturize. Locate a moisturizer with plenty of ingredients meant to help lock moisture in to your skin and help protect skin from the elements.

Ingredients such as anti oxidants, anti inflammatory components, and lipids can be beneficial to your skin in keeping it soft and protected. Some ingredients in moisturizers can be susceptible to light and air, so buy moisturizers in containers that are not clear or in jars.

Moisturize Again. When you feel your skin becoming dry, it is time to put on more moisturizer. Do not worry about putting it on too much or too often; if you skin is constantly soaking it up and becoming dry again, there is nothing wrong with helping your skin out by adding more.

After you wash your hands, they can dry out, so that is a good time to reapply. If you put moisturizer on your face in the morning and then feel it drying out later after facing winter winds or harsh sunlight, reapply. This means you will have to keep your moisturizer handy, so find ways of keeping it with you wherever you go, just in case.

Get Oily. You have avoided the bath oils, skipped the bathtub soaking, and put on your best moisturizer. Now it is time to break out the oils. Find pure plant oils and give your skin a little added moisture in the spots that need it. Only a few drops will do.

Invest in a Humidifier. If you do not have a humidifier and are always struggling with dry skin, buying one may give you an extra edge. During winter the humidity drops, or if you live in a desert climate, you may not have much humidity to begin with. Loss of humidity will lead to loss of skin moisture. Getting a humidifier will help you retain that moisture and protect you from dry skin.

Following these simple steps can lead you to softer, smoother skin. Try not to neglect anything, because you cannot have baby soft skin if you fail to baby your skin in the first place!

Dry Skin - Fighting Back

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Dry Skin - What You Can Do When Menopause Causes Itchiness

Menopause is sometimes responsible for bouts of dry skin, particularly around the mouth, nose areas, as well as internally within the eyes. This dryness can be caused by the hormonal imbalances. During menopause, estrogen, progesterone and testosterone levels decline and different types of "dryness" can occur.

For example, testosterone maintains the lacrimal gland which produces tears in the eyes and keeps them lubricated. Keep in mind, not only is testosterone responsible for producing tears but it is responsible for nourishing it with lubrication to aid in sight. When testosterone production declines the lacrimal gland fails to work as well, the ocular surface of the eye is exposed to the elements causing dryness. In essence, we need the right amounts of testosterone levels to lubricate the eyes.

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Testosterone is to the eyes as estrogen is to the mouth, joints, and skin. Lowered estrogen levels can cause skin dryness as well as affect other areas of the body including joints and of course the dreaded vaginal dryness which can make intercourse painful. Estrogen keeps the vagina moist by producing certain acids that account for vaginal lubrication. With estrogen, the vaginal lining becomes stiff and toughened, which results in uncomfortable sex without the aid of jellies and artificial lubricants. The less estrogen your body produces, the drier your skin becomes.

Dry Skin - What You Can Do When Menopause Causes Itchiness

Your eyes might also become light sensitive, look red, burn, have excessive tearing or feel gritty. Other illness such as arthritis and autoimmune disorders can affect the levels of dryness. In addition, some medications worsen this condition such as beta blockers, codeine, decongestant eye drops such as Visine and decongestants like Sudafed. In some cases you can reduce the level of dry eyes by eating less meat, fried foods and dairy. Eating walnuts with omega 3 fatty acids can protect your eyes. Wear sunglasses outside to reduce evaporation of moisture in the eyes.

The good news is: you can influence the dryness of your eyes, mouth, joints and skin during menopause. First of all, refrain from smoking. We all know that smoking is scientifically proven to speed up menopause in women and worsen its symptoms. Again, get your hormone panels done so you can balance out any significant losses in the three hormones mentioned above.

For dry skin, apply lotion often to keep it silky feeling. Aquaphor is excellent product for dry skin; however its primary ingredient is petrolatum (Vaseline). So if you don't like that greasy feeling, you won't like this product. On the other hand, Lubriderm's Advanced Therapy Lotion for extra dry skin lubricates nicely but runs on the expensive side.

Moisturel is good for hands and general body areas that are scaly and itchy. Keep in mind that dry, patchy, scaly skin can indicate other health issues including anxiety, allergies, eczema, psoriasis, etc. See a doctor if you suspect you have any of these.

As a general rule of thumb, you want products with petrolatum, water, lanolin and/or mineral oil. When you clean your face, leave a little water on your skin and then apply moisturizer while your skin is still damp. Neutrogena's new Deep Clean Gentle Scrub is a good exfoliant. and Cetaphil is a great cleanser. Apply Chap Stick to your lips to prevent them from chapping, and if they are cracking and sore, use Bag Balm.

Keep oil in your diet, or add it if you are low-fat enthusiast. Good oils include canola, safflower, sunflower, olive and flaxseed - mega-3 oils. Finally, drink plenty of water. This can't be understated; we all need at least 64 oz a day.

Dry Skin - What You Can Do When Menopause Causes Itchiness

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Dry Skin - How to Deal With Extremely Dry Skin

Have you ever seen someone with extremely dry skin (or xerosis)?

Actually, anyone has the potential of developing dry flaky problems. It can be very itchy, resulting in ugly skin peels, red rashes and, in worse cases, may lead to swelling and other serious common ailments.

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Causes and Effects

Dry Skin - How to Deal With Extremely Dry Skin

Xerosis develops when the upper dermis layers loses too much moisture. When this happens, flaky peels rapidly appear, which are very noticeable early symptoms. Sometimes, people have difficult getting sleep or they get very uncomfortable and upset sometimes because of the extreme itchiness.

Routine daily activities are disrupted, and this can cause much embarrassment as well to people who have them. The worst thing is that others may steer of them, mistakenly taking the rashes for something more contagious instead.

At any rate, if you are indeed suffering from dry skin, there are many changes you can take, including improving your environment to address it. But the important thing is that you must be ready to make serious changes in your lifestyles.

Otherwise, utter neglect may lead to more serious and advanced skin ailments. At the very onset, you need to do something to arrest the rapid development and spread of the dry flaky peels to other parts of your skin.

The most obvious sign, as I stated earlier, is peeling of the dermis. Subsequently, red rashes and itchiness will soon be felt on the affected areas. Apply immediately a gentle moisturizer. Make sure it is made of all natural ingredients. Other brands contain harmful chemicals, alcohol and preservatives that only aggravate your skin condition.

Cleansers

Most cleansers are also ideal solutions for people with extremely dry skin. Different skin types call for different skin care products. They smooth the affected area. Dead dermis cells mixed with keratin are easily removed by a dry cleanser.

Soak in water

Always avoid warm or hot baths. Such baths drives away the essential nutrients found on the epidermis. Some of these micro nutrients are essential in maintaining lubrication, moisture, elasticity and the over all balance of the skin layers. As a precaution, natural moisturizing substances bath gels and never use soaps.

Soaps contain harsh chemicals that may interact with the natural ph balance of the skin. They interfere with the collagen regeneration process beneath. Note that collagen, together with elastin, is responsible for the firm structure and elasticity of your skin. Losing them would result to sagging and wrinkles.

Best solutions

If you want results, my best advice is that you choose only creams or lotions that contains ingredients such as Phytessence Wakame or CynergyTK TM. These are very effective in treating extremely dry skin. They are known to rapidly restore the moisture balance in your skin. Most experts recommend these for their patients.

Dry Skin - How to Deal With Extremely Dry Skin

And to help you get clearer and younger looking skin, I will like to share with you one anti aging skin care range that I found contains more active ingredients than any other cream on the market. These ingredients are effective moisturizers, because they penetrate deeply and "nourish". So, they never feel greasy.

I have never seen any other natural products that is as good and report no negative or adverse effects. They are hypo-allergenic, fragrance free and can be used on any skin-type. If you want to see discover similar results, you should visit http://www.goodhealthyskin.com to find out more.

Diabetes Dry Skin

Diabetes is a medical condition characterized by the body's failure to produce or properly use insulin. Insulin is a hormone that participates in breaking down food into energy for the body to use. Diabetes is identified by a sudden increase in fatigue, irritability, a sharp loss in weight, and dry skin conditions. The body's failure to produce insulin is identified as Type I diabetes, while the failure to properly use insulin is identified as Type II diabetes. Of the two, Type I diabetes is more severe and requires much more attention.

A person with diabetes has a blood glucose level that fluctuates. A diabetic's blood glucose level increases and nerve sensitivity decreases, and the body loses fluids. The person also fails to sweat sufficiently when needed. This results in a drying effect on the skin, particularly in the legs, feet, and elbows. Diabetes dry skin is more serious than ordinary dry skin because of the increased likelihood of infection and disease.

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People with diabetes experience more frequent and severe dry skin symptoms and complications. Diabetes also causes a decrease in nerve sensitivity at the extremities. Due to the decreased sensitivity, it is often difficult to notice skin conditions until the problems have escalated to a more serious degree. A common example of this would be the cracking of dry skin at the soles of a diabetic's foot. The diabetic might not be aware of the dry skin and leaves it untreated for some time. After a while, the dry skin becomes so severe that cracks appear in the skin. Germs may then seep into the wound and, fed by the diabetic's high levels of blood glucose, multiply quickly. The wound becomes infected and may lead to gangrene, which may require amputation to address.

Diabetes Dry Skin

The poor blood flow in the body of a person with diabetes may also slow the healing process, allowing the wound to gradually get worse.

In addition to dry skin, other skin problems may accompany diabetes. These include the following:

1. Necrobiosis lipoidica diabeticorum ("NLD") is a rash that occurs on the lower legs. It is more common in women, and there are usually several spots. They are slightly raised shiny red-brown patches. The centers are often yellowish and may develop open sores that are slow to heal.

2. Diabetic dermopathy is a skin condition characterized by light brown or reddish, oval or round, slightly indented scaly patches most often appearing on the shins. It has been found to occur in up to 30% of patients with diabetes.

3. Bullosis diabeticorum are small to large blisters that develop underneath the skin and may rupture. While they are sometimes quite large, they are usually painless. There is no treatment and the blisters heal on their own, usually within three to four weeks and tend to leave no scars.

4. Acanthosis nigricans causes velvety dark brown to black lesions on the skin, usually on the neck, under the arms or in the groin. It is more common among Hispanics and African Americans, and is often associated with being overweight.

In addition to all medication and practices suggested by doctors, treatment of diabetes dry skin involves a few simple self-care measures. For instance, including more fish in the diet will provide your body with high-quality oils such as Omega-3, which will help your skin retain moisture and make it look younger. If you can't eat fish, you can try fish oil capsules from the local drugstore.

Drinking lots of fluids are also important to replenish the moisture lost during the day. Replenishing your thirsty dry skin is important, and while more trips to the restroom may be in order, the benefits of having healthy skin and more energy even with diabetes will outweigh the inconveniences.

Use lukewarm water when bathing or showering in lieu of hot water, as hot water tends to sap moisture and cause dry skin. Use a mild soap or shower moisturizer, and rinse and pat-dry yourself thoroughly. Use a moisturizer or shielding lotion immediately after pat-drying, while your skin is still damp, to trap the moisture in your skin. Make the switch to all-cotton underwear, since it allows air to move around your body better than synthetic materials.

If you feel you have diabetes or are not entirely sure, it would help to pay a visit to your doctor. Your doctor will conduct a physical exam and ask about your medical history. If diagnostic tests reveal that your dry skin is the result of diabetes, he may suggest treatments and refer you to a more qualified dermatologist.

Diabetes Dry Skin

www.dryskinsite.com brings you all the latest information you need to combat your dry skin problems. There's nothing to buy, just really helpful information. Be sure to check out pages like Diabetes Dry Skin © 2007 copyright by DSquare Marketing and Della Franklin.

Dry Skin - Is Your Water Supply Causing the Problem

If you have dry flaky skin which does not seem to retain moisture, it may be a good idea to check whether the water being supplied to your home is hard water. This is because hard water can cause symptoms like dry skin due to the specific nature of the hard water itself and the minerals it contains.

When we take a shower or wash our face we do not usually consider the quality of the water we are applying to ourselves. Even with plenty of moisturizer, skin washed in hard water can still feel rough and dry. The problem is that when used with soap, it does not lather as well as soap used with soft water. As a result, when we come to rinse off we may not be washing all of the soap from the skin! Soap that remains on the skin aids in drying it out, leaving you with flaky, itchy skin as well as aiding in the clogging of pores, causing dry skin and possibly other skin irritations.

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Because both hard water deposits and cleansing products are left on the skin, it can also cause it to become more irritated and susceptible to damage, especially when it comes to facial skin and the fragile blood vessels beneath. Hard water can even cause your skin to become thinner and aggravate skin conditions, such as rosacea.

Dry Skin - Is Your Water Supply Causing the Problem

If you have the symptoms such as water stains build up around faucets, sinks and bathtubs it is quite possible that you have a water source that suppliers hard water in your area. However, there are solutions to removing the hardness of the water. One of these is by installing a water softening device to your supply that will remove the calcium and magnesium minerals from the water.

This should provide you with much softer water allowing you to gain better lathering power and making it much easier to wash off, removing your skin of excess soap and ensuring your skin is softer and more moisturized.

Dry Skin - Is Your Water Supply Causing the Problem

Warm Regards,

Patrick Henry

HardWaterStainsTips

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Email us with any questions or queries at support@hardwaterstainstips.com

Patrick Henry BEng (Hons), is a recognised industry expert in removing hard water stains. With an honours degree in Chemical Engineering, he teaches people how to remove stubborn hard water stains and limescale using a step by step guide. He is author of the ebook "Hard Water Stain Removal Secrets Revealed". Complete information on his popular ebook is available from his web site. And while your there, don't forget to subscribe to his FREE report.

Dry Skin - Diabetes and Your Skin

There are many things that can cause your skin to become dry, brittle and cracked. Only a portion of the things that cause dry skin are purely environmental, meaning that they are t skin are internal or medical in nature. These are the causes that are the most difficult to pihings outside of your body that you come into contact with on a daily basis. Other causes of drynpoint and address.

Medical conditions that cause dry skin are numerous. Thyroid disease, Hodgkin's disease, eczema, and diabetes all contribute to bothersome skin conditions. Sometimes, it may not be directly caused by a medical condition but rather the treatment for that condition. This is especially true in cases of cancer where radiation and chemotherapy are used.

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Diabetes and Dry Skin

Dry Skin - Diabetes and Your Skin

Diabetes, dry skin and other skin conditions are closely linked. In fact, the first sign that a person has diabetes is usually some sort of skin disorder. It is estimated that more than 75 percent of diabetes patients will suffer from a skin condition. These in patients with diabetes can be especially troublesome and difficult to treat. This is because the body's ability to renew and heal itself is stunted in persons with diabetes.

Dry skin is so common in people with diabetes because diabetics regularly experience high glucose levels. When glucose levels are high, the skin and surrounding tissues are zapped of vital moiture resulting in extremely dry legs, feet and elbows. The dehydrated, dry skin is then prone to cracking, peeling and infection which can be very difficult to reverse. In extreme situations, amputation is needed to help heal an infected wound.

Another cause of dry skin in diabetes patients is poor circulation. People with this disease often experience a loss of circulation and nerve sensation in their extremities. This can cause the sweat glands to slow or shut down. Without sweat to keep the skin moist, a further drying of the skin can occur.

Dry skin can be cured in patients with diabetes. It just take a little more effort than in people who do not have an underlying medical condition contributing to their skin woes. Follow these tips for keeping your skin hydrated in spite of diabetes:

* Try to keep your glucose levels under control. Monitor your blood sugar regularly and follow a good diet.

* Drink plenty of water.

* If you notice any dry patches, discuss these with your doctor immediately before they become cracked.

* Always use lotions and creams to hydrate your skin.

* Decrease the amount of times that you bathe and use a gentle, hydrating soap when you do. Your water temperature should also be lukewarm, not hot.

* Use a humidifer.

Other Diabetic Skin Conditions

In addition to dry skin, there are many other types that can affect people with diabetes. Here is just a brief overview of a few of the conditions that can exist on their own or in combination with dry skin.

* Acanthosis nigricans - This skin condition is identified by the brown or black patches of skin that are normally associated with overweight people. These markings are normally seen on the neck, groin, or underarms and are caused by insulin receptors in the skin that cause the skin to grow abnormally.

* Diabetic dermopathy - Is identified by small, round, raised lesions that may crack and open up. They are caused by changed in small blood vessels and poor circulation.

* Bullosis diabeticorum - This condition is identified by small, ruptured blisters underneath the skin of a diabetic patient. The blisters are normally painless and heal on their own. They are caused by uncontrolled glucose levels.

* Necrobiosis lipoidica diabeticorum - Is identified by dull, brown sores which may crack and peel. After some time, these sores become shiny and resemble scars. They are often indented. This condition is caused by changes in skin cells due to lack of circulation and is more common in Type 1 diabetes than Type 2 diabetes.

Diabetic skin care does not have to be that difficult. The key to combatting dry skin and other skin conditions cause by diabetes is to never let them get out of control. Take a few minutes each day to care for your skin. Be sure to use plenty of moisturizers and report any troublesome spots to your doctor. This will help keep your skin healthy and moist despite your medical condition. Most importantly, strive to keep your glucose levels under control. This is your best defense against skin conditions.

Dry Skin - Diabetes and Your Skin

www.dryskinsite.com brings you all the latest information you need to combat your dry skin problems. There's nothing to buy, just really helpful information. Be sure to check out pages like Diabetes Dry Skin

Dry Skin - When Disease is to Blame

It can be a nightmare of a battle to get rid of dry, patchy skin. Cracked, peeling, and irritated skin can seem like it is taking over your life. While there is a great deal that you can do to alleviate your suffering and cure your dry skin, there are times when more is needed. If your skin condition seems particularly persistent and no treatments have helped, there might be an underlying condition for your flaky skin.

There are several medical conditions that cause dry skin. Any one of them could be responsible for your skin condition. To cure dry skin caused by a disease or medical condition, you must first treat the medical condition. Under normal circumstances, your skin condition will take care of itself once you address the main culprit. But first, you need to find out what underlying condition is contributing to your skin woes.

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Diseases that Cause Dry Skin

Dry Skin - When Disease is to Blame

Renal disease - Renal disease, otherwise referred to as chronic or acute kidney failure, can cause dry skin during its later stages. Symptoms associated with renal disease include nausea, fatigue, weight loss, easy bruising, decreased urination, decreased alertness, and seizures. Acute renal disease is normally sudden and can be reversed with treatment.

Chronic kidney failure, on the other hand, requires ongoing treatment and may even require a kidney transplant. In order to combat dry skin caused by renal disease, be sure to follow all of your doctor's instructions for combating your disease. If your renal failure is under control, it will be easier for you to topically treat your dry skin.

Thyroid disease - Hypothyroidism is a disease in which the thyroid gland fails to produce the amount of thyroid hormone that your body needs. This results in dry skin; brittle, thinning hair; ridged and brittle nails; dermatitis; and a yellow skin tone. To combat thyroid disease, your doctor may prescribe an oral medication that will help increase the levels of thyroid hormone in your body. He will also want to check your level of thyroid hormone every so often by way of a blood test. Once your thyroid levels are normal and under control, it will be a lot easier for you to treat your dry skin.

Diabetes - The high glucose levels that some people with diabetes experience can contribute to dry and scaly skin. If you have diabetes, be sure to keep your glucose levels under control through diet and insulin injections. If you do this, your skin will have a better chance at remaining healthy despite your diabetes. Proper wound care is also vital when dealing with diabetes as the disease can make it more difficult for the skin to heal and repair itself.

Biliary disorders - Liver and biliary disorders can also cause dry skin. Again, addressing the disease is your best bet for alleviating your skin symptoms. Be sure to follow all of your doctor's instructions. If your skin condition becomes especially bothersome, talk to your doctor about it. He may be able to prescribe a special cream that will cure your skin condition.

Hodgkin's disease - Hodgkin's lymphoma is a disease that affects the lymphatic system which is responsible for filtering fluid from the skin back into the bloodstream and fighting infections among other things. Hodgkin's disease is treated through radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or a combination of both. Fighting dry skin caused by Hodgkin's disease can be very tricky as the treatment courses for the disease contribute to the worsening of the skin condition rather than cure it. If your skin becomes especially tender and itchy, talk to your doctor. You may need a prescription to help treat your skin condition.

Once you have addressed the medical cause of your dry skin, you can go on hydrating your skin as you normally would. Here are a few ideas:

• Apply lotion after every shower and several times throughout the day.
• Avoid harsh soaps and cleansers that can dry your skin.
• Never take extremely hot showers.
• Use a humidifier in your home.
• Cover up exposed skin when going out in harsh weather.
• Use sunscreen and avoid tanning beds.
• Drink plenty of water.

Remember: dry skin that is caused by an underlying disease requires that you treat the disease first. Applying lotions and ignoring the main cause will not get you very far in your attempt to cure your skin condition. If you treat your medical condition, on the other hand, your dry skin may take care of itself.

Dry Skin - When Disease is to Blame

www.dryskinsite.com brings you all the latest information you need to combat your dry skin problems. There's nothing to buy, just really helpful information. Be sure to check out pages like Dry Skin Diseases © 2007 copyright by DSquare Marketing and Della Franklin.

What Are the Symptoms of Menopause - Dry Skin

What are the symptoms of menopause is a series of articles dealing with the symptoms of menopause. One of the more common menopause symptoms is dry skin.

Dry skin affects everyone at one time or another, but it is especially troublesome during menopause and perimenopause. Dry skin is an indication that your body is lacking in the necessary hormones to maintain healthy skin. The good news is that there are some rather simple, common sense techniques you can do on your own to get some menopause relief.

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What do hormones have to do with dry skin?

What Are the Symptoms of Menopause - Dry Skin

Many people might think that the best solution for dry skin is to use an expensive skin cream. In reality, healthy skin is made from the inside. It may help temporarily to apply moisturizers and such, but to effectively treat dry skin you must give your body what it needs to heal itself.

As the reproductive hormones slow down in production, there are fewer oils available for the skin to keep it's elasticity and youthfulness. This can cause the skin to become dry, itchy and flaky

The essential fatty acids found in a healthy diet are also responsible for maintaining healthy skin. All too often though, modern diets are big on the wrong foods and short on the foods that promote health and well being.

Dry skin, wrinkles and aging skin

By the mid thirties, most women begin to notice more wrinkles, aging skin and dryness. Many times, a habit of eating junk food, processed foods, and too few fruits and vegetables, is the cause of poor skin. Because the skin is actually an organ, it is a good indicator of your overall health.

Many women in developing countries who eat diets rich in fresh fruits and vegetables also have radiant skin. Their diets are rich in natural vitamins and minerals, thus providing their bodies with the necessary tools to promote healthy skin.

It is as important what you do not eat as what you do eat! Medications, artificial sweeteners, additives, etc. all can have a damaging effect on health, and the skin is often the first to show it.

It is possible to reverse the aging of skin

This might sound like a hyped up claim, but it is true. By using some very simple techniques, you can help your body to heal itself. When the necessary ingredients are there for you body, a great deal of progress can happen quickly.

The body naturally wants to heal itself. All to often, however, we mistreat and neglect the body, with devastating results.

Here are some tips to help

• Get enough rest
• Eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables
• Use a high quality vitamin/mineral supplement
• Drink plenty of clean, fresh water
• Get adequate exercise. This works wonders for dry skin.
• Eliminate processed foods as much as possible.
• Avoid additives, colorants, preservatives, etc.
• Take cold showers! This is an observation I have noticed repeatedly from various women around the world.

What Are the Symptoms of Menopause - Dry Skin

Randy Hough and Laura Simon, MSW,MEd, have worked together to create a website to help families manage their stress, especially during menopause. They live and work in the beautiful Upper Valley of Vermont.

Randy Hough

This all started when a therapist asked Randy what his secret was. This led to a search for safe and natural remedies for the stresses of modern life. Our site, http://safemenopauserelief.com has well researched information on products and methods to help you. There really are many ways to get safe menopause relief.

"All they wanted was love and affection!" Line from a song by the Irish band, Clannad, about street kids.

Dry Skin - Essential Oils & Herb Solutions For Dry Itchy Flaky Scaling Chapped Or Cracked Skin

What is the best way to treat or prevent dry skin? I have noticed a patch of scaly skin on my face, what is the best way to get rid of it? My dry skin keeps coming back after using specified skincare products, what should I do.? First things first, let us look at the reasons that might be causing your problem, and while in the process find the answers to your questions. This is a common issue and every one of us will have suffered from a patch of dry skin at some time. It is a condition that affects most body parts, and not just the face like some people think. Not only is irritating, it can if serious be unsightly. Dry skin is caused by an abnormality of the moisture and oil balance of the dermis layers. Treatment is most sought after during cold times when the skin is vulnerable, nonetheless it can flare up all year round.

We recognize two sorts of dry skin: simple and complex. Simple dry skin is the outcome of lack of natural oils and complex lacks both oil and moisture, and is distinguished by fine lines, brown spots, discolorations, enlarged pores, and droopy skin. It is normally linked to aging.

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Symptoms include itchiness, flaking, skin scaling, cracking, and soreness. While it's a condition easily treated, it is best if you possibly can prevent the skin from drying out. Thankfully for those who suffer badly and don't know what to do to prevent the problem mustn't fret because most treatments are effective. I say "most" because there are a considerable amount of products on the market that won't deliver the goods leaving you out of pocket, your skin still itchy flaking, scaling or cracking.

Dry Skin - Essential Oils & Herb Solutions For Dry Itchy Flaky Scaling Chapped Or Cracked Skin

What you can do, and with what to treat your skin to achieve healthy skin.

Whether skin is greasy, oily or dry, natural products are the best and safest source. Natural skincare products help the skin from further damage. Natural products don't contain harsh substances which is unhealthy for skin. You need to be looking for natural essential oils as treatment which has to be carefully selected. Using the wrong oils can result in your bid for a beautiful complexion being a waste of time. Choosing the right oils will give positive results. Look for oils containing properties that help lubricate and hydrate the skin. To name we have lavender, geranium, rose, chamomile, sandalwood, ylang-ylang, hyssop, jasmine, carrot seed, clary sage, orange, tea tree oil, and patchouli. Any of the above mentioned will effectively treat your dry skin and help restore it back to its original healthy state, leaving you with smooth supple skin and radiant complexion.

Now you have the named antidotes above don't go wading into the skin with these oils. They are not to be used directly on the skin without protection. The oils need to be blended with a carrier oil, lotion, or cream first. If you're baffled by the names of herbs and plants listed then ask the assistant in the herbal shop or other for advice. Fabulous carrier bases to compliment the oils are jojoba, grape seed, and aloe Vera.

Start working on your dry skin by concocting up your own moisturizing cream. Add a few drops of essential oil to 16 ounces of base and blend until mixed. Massage the cream onto the problem area. Make this a daily beauty chore to see a change in your skin. Some women and men find it hard to part with their favorite moisturizing cream, this is okay but why not increase its effectiveness and strength by adding a couple of drops of essential oils to it. Pour a little amount of oil to your bath water for a soothing and moisturizing treatment.

Dry skin treatments powerful in effectiveness normally contain herbs. Using the right herbs is the answer to having healthy blemish free skin.

While essential oils do lubricate the skin and help prevent dryness, herbs are excellent for softening and moisturizing. Go for regular herbs like aloe vera, comfrey, calendula, dandelion, chamomile, fennel, and peppermint. These specific herbs have been voted the best by most women for being particularly great in their purpose for preventing dry skin episodes. The same women said the herbs helped with soreness and soothed their irritated skin caused by dryness

Consider making your own homemade solution. Herbs namely dandelion, chamomile, fennel, and peppermint you can add to hot water or tea to make an internal dry skin preventative. Working from the inside out is not something new, in fact oral consumption of skin remedies is brilliant for preventing the occurrence of dry skin and other abnormal skin conditions. Choose the herbs you have taken a fancy too and then add one teaspoon of them to one cup of boiling water and drink once a day for best results.

Should you be a young girl that has reached an age where you see the importance of looking after your skin but don't know where to start, or just generally looking for advice then read on.

Dry skin can have several reasons for happening. Lack of proper hydration, poor diet, low air humidity, excessive use of artificial heating, and the use of drying skincare products are the primary causes.

To maintain a complexion described as healthy attractive skin, it is vital the skin's is able to balance its oil and moisture. Oil is secreted by the sebaceous glands and lubricates the outer of the skin. Moisture is the water present inside the skin cells, and reaches the cells via the bloodstream. It is the water in the skin cells that keeps them plumped-up and of fresh appearance. Both sources need to work in unison; there should be sufficient moisture in the skin cells, and oil also to act as a barrier, thwarting extreme desertion of moisture from the skin's top layers. Chapping and cracking are signs of severely dry, dehydrated skin. Nutritional deficiencies, especially deficiencies of vitamin A and B vitamins, can be accountable for dry skin. The more severe dry skin conditions are dermatitis, eczema and psoriasis.

Dry Skin Tips

Purchase a spray bottle and fill with a herbal solution or one already containing floral water mist. Freshen up the skin during the day giving the skin back lost moisture.

Moisturize and moisturize some more to keep the skin from drying out. Use a liquid moisturizer or facial oil that contains nutrients and other natural ingredients.

The well loved and effective aloe vera has fabulous soothing, curing, and moisturizing qualities. It is also good for removing dead skin cells.

A cheap treatment is cocoa butter for dry skin and also helps reduce the skin becoming wrinkly.

Stop dry skin and drink plenty of water.

Prevent dry skin and eat a diet consisting of plenty of vitamins and minerals.

Help prevent skin dryness and use a humidifier when the air is dry.

Avoid skin damage and ignore skincare products that contain alcohol.

To stem dry skin moisturize your skin daily, do this after bathing when the skin can absorb and is ready for hydration.

Prevent dry skin advice

Avoid sweetened drinks and sugary foods

Cut down on alcohol and caffeine

Avoid harsh soaps and limit use of cold cream or cleansing creams.

Never use hot water for washing.

Particular drugs such as diuretics, antispasmodics, and antihistamines can be held responsible for dry skin occurring in some cases

If you have a skin disorder that you believe to be more than just the issue of a patch of dry skin then see your GP.

Dry Skin - Essential Oils & Herb Solutions For Dry Itchy Flaky Scaling Chapped Or Cracked Skin

Stop your Dry Skin from becoming a serious issue or is it another Skin Skin issue you have

How to Cure Dry Skin Around Your Eyes

The skin around your eyes is extremely thin and sensitive. It is here that you will notice your first fine lines and wrinkles. It is here that you will first see signs of exhaustion and illness. Yes, there are many reasons why you can learn a lot about a person by simply looking at their eyes, and many reasons why you do not want to tell all of your secrets with yours. One of the most bothersome conditions that you may encounter when it comes to your eyes is dry skin around the eyes.

Wrinkles develop after skin becomes dry and loses elasticity. Considering that this will first occur around your eyes, there is good reason for you to address any dry skin issues as soon as they occur especially if they occur around the region of your eyes. You can do this either as a preventative measure or a curative measure.

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How to Cure Dry Skin Around Your Eyes

Preventing Dry Skin around Eyes

If you follow a good skin care routine, it probably involves using moisturizers and products that do just fine at preventing dry skin on your face. But the skin on your eyes often needs a little more. Here are a few eye products that you should have in your makeup bag:

* Eye Makeup Remover - When you were 16, it was okay to sleep in your eye makeup all night, but not anymore. Leaving eye makeup on indefinitely is not good for your skin, but many products are waterproof. This tempts many to remove their eye makeup using a hot washcloth with soap and water. There are two things wrong with this scenario: soap is drying and a harsh washcloth can irritate and further dry your skin. To remove your eye makeup properly, you should use an oil-based or moisturizing eye makeup remover. These products work much better than soap and water without drying your skin.

* Spot treatments - It is never too early to start preventing wrinkles around the eyes. You can do this by using an antioxidant eye cream. There are two types of eye creams: a lighter treatment that can be used during the day and a heavier one that is used overnight.

* Sunglasses - The sun is the number one culprit when it comes to causing dry skin around the eyes. Be sure to wear sunscreen and cover the sensitive skin of your eyes up with sunglasses whenever you go outdoors.

* Health - If you are in poor health, your skin will show it. Be sure to drink plenty of water, eat a good diet, and exercise regularly to prevent dry skin. If you have any underlying health conditions that may cause dry skin, you should also take extra care to keep these under control and follow all of your doctor's instructions.

Curing Dry Skin around Eyes

If you experience dry skin around your eyes even after all of your attempts at preventing it, you may need to take a different approach. There are many intense eye therapies out there that might be the perfect solution to your problem. Here is a brief guide to help you decide:

* Hydrating Eye Serums - Many people experience dry skin around their eyes simply because there are not that many oil glands in the skin of the eyes to help keep it moisturized. Without these vital oils, your skin quickly dries out when it comes into external factors such as the sun, cigarette smoke, dry furnace heat, and harsh weather conditions. To replenish these oils, use a hydrating eye serum. These can be applied directly underneath or even on top of your makeup several times throughout the day. Many also have added ingredients to help firm skin and fight dark circles.

* Intense eye treatments - If the dry skin on your eyes is particularly bothersome, you can use an intense eye treatment 2 to 3 times per week. These are similar to intense hydrating masques that you purchase for your face but are formulated for the sensitive skin of your eyes. Look for these in the same aisle that you would find face creams.

Dry skin on the eyes can be extremely itchy and easily irritated. The thin skin of the eye is also easily torn. This is why it is very important to address eye issues as soon as they occur. Avoid scratching and tugging on the skin and be sure to use enough moisturizers to get your skin into shape as quickly as possible.

How to Cure Dry Skin Around Your Eyes

www.dryskinsite.com brings you all the latest information you need to combat your dry skin problems. There's nothing to buy, just really helpful information. Be sure to check out pages like Dry Skin Around the Eyes also Dogwood Square © 2007 copyright by DSquare Marketing and Della Franklin.

Tips on How to Grow Long, Healthy Nails

Let's be honest, a beautiful set of, long, natural healthy nails looks classy and sexy. Immaculately manicured long nails say a lot about your personal style and confidence. We know growing long, healthy nails can be a challenge. Our simple tips show how you too can have a beautiful set of long natural nails.

First a quick biology lesson:

Moisturiser

Your nails grow from the area under your cuticle called the matrix. The matrix is the living part of the nail. Your cuticle is the layer of skin that protects the matrix so the cuticle is very important for nail health and growth. As new nail cells grow in the matrix, older nail cells are pushed out toward your fingertips and become hard and compacted. Heredity and health determine how fast nails grow but nails typically grow about 0.1 millimeter a day, which means that it takes a fingernail about four to six months to fully regenerate. Healthy nails are smooth, without ridges or grooves. They're uniform in colour and consistency and free of spots or discoloration.

Did you know: Nails grow faster in the summer than in the winter, nails on your dominant hand grow faster, and men's nails grow more quickly than women's, except when a woman is pregnant when nail growth speeds up.

How long should my nails be ?

This is obviously very much a matter of personal choice but a couple of things to bear in mind:

The optimum practical length for your nails depends on your activities and your lifestyle. In general the nail tip should extend no further than one third of the body of the nail.

Nails break less often when they are all of equal length and shaped square, oval, or round.

Tips on growing, long and healthy natural nails:

Long nails tip 1: Don't use your nails as tools.

Rather than using your nails use other parts of your hand, or a pen, to perform tasks like dialing the phone. Don't pick, poke or scrape with your nails and especially avoid opening soft drink cans with your nails.

Long nails tip 2: Wear gloves.

Detergents are particularly harsh on your nails and can cause splitting and peeling. Wear gloves when washing dishes or cleaning. You should also wear gloves when gardening to protect your nails from infection and prevent dryness, damage, and loss of natural oils.

Long nails tip 3: Don't bit your nails or pick at your cuticles.

Aside from the obvious reason of biting shortening your nails these habits can damage the nail bed. Even a minor cut alongside your nail can allow bacteria or fungi to enter the nail bed and cause an infection. Remember your nails grow slowly so an injured nail retains signs of damage for several months.

Long nails tip 4: Look after your cuticles.

The cuticle is a barrier that keeps bacteria from the nail matrix, where new cells are generated, so it should not be cut or trimmed. On the other hand you do want to keep cuticles from becoming overgrown, which suffocates nail growth. If your cuticle has grown out on to the nail plate, after sufficiently softening your cuticles in warm water, very gently use a cuticle pusher to push your cuticles back. As well as pushing your cuticles back this will help to remove dead skin and debris that may have accumulated. Hold the cuticle pusher at an angle, and use tiny circular movements, so that you are as gentle and careful as possible and do not damage the cuticle. When you have finished doesn't forget to moisturize your hands.

Long nails tip 5: Look after your nails.

Trim fingernails and clean under the nails regularly. Use manicure scissors or clippers and a nail file to smooth nail edges. Never pull off hangnails - doing so almost always results in ripping living tissue. Clip hangnails off, leaving a slight angle outward.

Long nails tip 6: Caring for brittle nails.

Trim brittle nails after a bath, or a 15 minute hand soak in bath oil, and then apply a moisturiser. Don't use nail polish remover more than twice a month. Instead, touch up the nail polish. When you do need to use a nail polish remover avoid those that use acetone, which dries out nails. Also consider using a nail strengthener and growth formula.

Long nails tip 7: The role of diet.

Unless your diet is deficient in protein and vitamins dietary changes that supposedly strengthen nails won't work. Your nails can however offer telltale signs of dietary problems such as:
Lack of vitamin A and calcium causing dryness and brittleness.
Lack of protein, folic acid and vitamin C causing hang nails
White bands across the nails caused by protein deficiency.
A lack of sufficient hydrochloric acid causing splitting nails.
Insufficient intake of vitamin B12 leading to excessive dryness, very rounded and curved ends and darkening of nails.
Insufficient zinc causing development of white spots on the nails.
Red skin around your cuticles can be caused by poor metabolism of essential fatty acids.

If you are concerned that your diet may not be balanced and healthy you should consult a medical or nutritional professional.

Long nails tip 8: Moisturise your nails.

Nails need moisture just like your hands do. Rub lotion into your nails when moisturising your hands. Be sure to apply moisturiser each time you wash your hands

Long nails tip 9: Use coloured nail polish.

Use coloured nail polish while you are growing your nails. If you prefer a softer look, try a sheer shade. Coloured nail polish helps you become more aware of your hands and how to use them in a way that keeps your nail polish undamaged and hence your nails protected. It also makes chips easier to spot so that you can make immediate repairs.

Long, beautiful natural nails take commitment and special care to grow and maintain. Be patient, the average nail takes 3 to 6 months to grow.

Frequently asked questions:

My nails are weak. What can I do to strengthen them?

Unfortunately, if you have naturally weak nails then it's probably hereditary and you can't permanently change them. You can, however, do things to make them stronger. Try a nail strengthener and growth formula. Many women are confused about how to use these products, so here are a few tips:

Make sure you apply a thin coat. Because you'll be applying it daily you don't want it to build up too much. If you're at the very beginning stages of growing out your nails only use a strengthener and growth formula on your nail plate and apply it every day. Once your nails start to protrude, and you want to apply nail polish, use the strengthener and growth formula as a base coat and as a top coat.

Why do I have ridges in my nails?

Ridges or corrugations (referred to as beau's lines) in nails occur when nail growth is uneven, usually because of illness or injury. Gentle buffing can minimize ridges. A Ridge Filler will also help to level the nail surface, smoothing out shallow ridges and other imperfections.

What causes my nails to turn yellow and how can I get rid of the yellow stains?

Darker coloured nail polish can cause a chemical reaction between the nail polish's coloring agent and the nail plate. This can cause nails to develop a yellowish color. While it is different for every person this reaction can occur in a matter of days or within weeks of wearing the nail colour. To prevent nails from yellowing always use a base coat before applying nail polish. Not only will this prevent staining but it can also extend the life of the nail polish. For already yellow nails soak nails in a solution of 1/2 cup of water and the juice of one lemon for up to 15 minutes, once a week

Why are my nails so flaky around the cuticle beds? What causes this?

Unless you have an allergy to something you are handling it is likely to be dryness which is the cause. It is important to correct this since, as mentioned, cuticles are very important for nail health. You should regularly moisturize your cuticles, and hands.

My nails can grow, but after a while they begin to peel and stop growing. What can I do to stop this?

Many women want long, well-shaped nails, but the stresses of daily life and work may make them a challenge to grow. Your nails could potentially benefit from additional protection when they reach more vulnerable lengths. A nail strengthener and growth formula could assist.

What causes thin nails and what can make them stronger?

When your general health is good and you are not handling strong chemicals that might affect the nails, it is likely to be heredity that produces thin nails. Your nails could also potentially benefit from a nail strengthener and growth formula.

Tips on How to Grow Long, Healthy Nails

Donna is a trained makeup artist with her own beauty business. As both a business women and a mom with 2 children Donna understands the time pressures on women today and through this, and other articles, has endeavored to take the complexity out of looking great with some "busy women friendly" beauty tips and advice. If you would like to read more of Donna's articles check out her website: [http://www.coloursandscents.co.nz]

Help For Clogged & Congested Skin

Blocked pores, dull skin, uneven skin, blackheads and whiteheads...all signs of congested skin and often affecting not just teenagers, but adults too. Also knows as open comedomes, blackheads are literally tiny plugs in the opening of a follicle or pore on the skin. The pore plug is a combination of oils, sebum and dead skin cells. Open to the skin's surface, the plug becomes darkened as it is exposed to oxygen. Whiteheads are closed at the skin's surface, blocked by cellular debris but not exposed to oxygen so remain light in colour.

Blackheads, whiteheads and blocked pores are usually caused by a combination of factors. Excess skin oil, sebum and toxins that are expelled through the skin are often an underlying issue. In addition dead skin cells, pollution, occlusive make up and dirt also play a role by filling up pores already opened by sebum and oil production. Each factor will contribute to congestion in a different but significant way:

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Skin Oil & Sebum: excess oil and sebum production by the skin will contribute to clogging pores and encourage the growth of skin bacteria. When combined with external factors such as dirt, blackheads easily form.
Toxic Congestion: blood and lymph supply the skin with nutrition. However, if the toxins that are produced in our bodies everyday are not eliminated properly, they are eliminated via the skin and can contribute to congestion as well as other issues such as acne and skin irritation.

Dead Skin Cells: Each 3 or 4 weeks the skin replenishes the skin cells. This natural process creates a layer of dead skin cells over the surface of the skin. If not removed, the dead skin cells create dull looking skin. The other thing that may happen is that the dead cells will plug the pores on your face and create congestion and blackheads. When combined with excessive sebum production, this can lead to the formation of white-heads and black heads.

Skin Care & Make Up: The key culprits in skin congestion are products that contain petrochemical based oils as they have an occulusive effect, stopping the skin from breathing and blocking pores. Talc, which is common in make up and finishing powder, also has this effect. Waxes and butters may also be an issue with skin prone to congestion. Make up is usually worn on a daily basis so it is essential to choose a make up that suits your skin type and doesn't contribute to further congestion.

Pollution & Dirt: Building up on the surface of skin over the day, pollution is a factor in the formation of blackheads and blocked pores. The more polluted the area in which you live, the more skin pollution you are likely to experience. Effective skin cleansing is vital to clean the skin of daily dirt and grime...and a splash of water at the end of the day just doesn't cut it. Dirt that is found on our face and other parts of the body can be a breeding ground for bacteria and combined with oily skin can make things even worse. Where does the dirt come from? Dirty hands are a key culprit and those already conscious of their skin tend to pick and rub their skin more than others, just making the problem worse.

Treatment of of Blackheads

So, how to get rid of blackheads and congested skin? Well squeezing them out is not the answer. This technique will just lead to further skin irritation and possibly damage and scarring to the surrounding tissue. Rather than removing blackheads by squeezing, the best way to get rid of them is by attacking the source of the problem.

1. A good cleansing routine: Cleansing the skin of daily dirt, grime and pollution is essential. A good cleansing routine is a very effective way to remove blackheads, as it will help wash away excess oil and dead skin particles. Use a gentle cleanser as harsh and overly-drying cleansers will only make the problem worse by causing an increase in sebum production. If your skin feels squeaky clean, dry and tight after washing, you are doing more harm than good and need to use a more gentle cleanser. Avoid products with Sodium laurel sulphate as this ingredient tends to disrupt the acid mantle again causing increased sebum production.

2. Regular gentle exfoliation: one way to minimise congestion and clogged pores is to ensure the top layer skin remains clear by regularly removing the dead skin cells. There are a number of very effective products you can use to remove dead skin cells.

Regular use of facial exfoliants or scrubs will help clear dead skin cells that block pores. Removing the top layer of dead cells will also allow your moisturiser or serum work more effectively as it comes into contact with live skin cells rather than dead ones.

There are a couple of things to look for in a good exfoliant. The most obvious, although it is surprising how many people ignore this, is that a body scrub is too harsh to be used as a facial scrub. Look for a very fine, soft exfoliant as your facial skin is soft and delicate. A harsh scrub may actually scour the surface of your skin much like a scrubbing brush and this can actually damage skin cells. If your skin is excessively red or inflamed after use they are far too strong. Gentle exfoliants will slough off cells without a harsh scrubbing effect and are suitable to be used 2-3 times a week.

3. Fruit Enzyme Peels: enzyme peels are another way of clearing dead skin cells. They work as a result of their ability to break the bonds between dead skin cells that form at the surface of the skin. Skin normally has a dead layer of cells at its surface (the corneocyte layer), and fruit enzymes can speed up the normal process of skin cell regeneration and sloughing. This results in increased flexibility of the skin as well as decreased formation of large dry skin flakes at the surface of the skin.

Pumpkin, pineapple and pawpaw provide natural, gentle enzyme proteases that loosen the glue between dead skin cells, slough away impurities, dead skin cells and unplug the pores while delivering nutrition to the skin. This leaves the skin cleansed and silky smooth and reduces the likelihood of blackheads. Fruit enzyme 'peels' only need to be used once or twice a week for good effect.

4. Light Moisturisers: moisturisers that use waxes, butters and petrochemical oils will be more likely to contribute to congestion in skin that is prone to blackheads. Please note that waxes and butters are perfectly suitable and definitely beneficial for those with dry or dehydrated skin but for those with congested skin, choose lotions rather than rich creams. If you have combination skin and suffer from congestion as well as dry skin, use oil based serums or hyaluronic acid to increase moisture content in the skin without contributing to further blockage.

5. Salicylic acid and glycolic acid in high concentrations are common recommendations for skin congestion and while they might be effective in the short term they can cause significant problems and can be counter-productive to softening and dissolving blackheads as they can dehydrate dry, normal and combination skin. In addition, those with a history of use of high concentration glycolic acid can suffer redness and irritation at a later date when exposed to even mildly acidic ingredients such as ascorbic acid. If you choose to use such products, firstly use them in consultation with a skin specialist, use low concentrations, use them short term only and watch for signs of skin dehydration.

6. Make Up: Mineral make up is an ideal alternative for those with congested skin. Rather than sinking into or filling pores, the particles of pigment sit on the surface of the skin allowing the skin to breathe properly. This helps minimise congestion and eventually, allows the pores to shrink.

7. Dietary & Lifestyle tips: Plenty of water will help flush toxins out of your system and regular and regular exercise will keep your lymphatic system flowing. Together both these factors will help reduce the level of toxins being eliminated via the skin.

Research conducted at RMIT University, Melbourne, has shown that a low glycemic index (GI), moderate protein diet improved symptoms of acne including the number of facial lesions. The diet consisted of 25% of energy from protein and 45% of energy from low GI carbohydrates such as fruit and vegetables, grains and pulses. While this research was conducted on patients with acne, there are strong correlations between high GI diets and skin congestion as well. Generally a high GI diet is associated with a greater degree of systemic body toxicity and inflammation and those prone to skin conditions are likely to eliminate toxins through the skin more readily.

A diet high in vegetables, fruit, good fats, lean protein, nuts & seeds is ideal for the skin as it contains lots of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that support skin health.

Following the steps above will not only help you minimise congestion but will also encourage clear, vibrant skin in general.

Help For Clogged & Congested Skin

For more information about the natural & organic skin care contact Ananda Mahony ND at http://www.vitalenatural.com.au or at http://vitaleblog.org

As a naturopath Ananda has been involved in the natural skin care industry for many years. She specialises in the treatment of skin disorders such as acne, eczema, rosacea and dermatitis as well as anti-aging.

Please include this credit if you use this article.

The Truth About Super Collagen C - Does it Really Work?

Super collagen C is taken mainly from Bovine sources, like food source cattle. It is extracted from the uppermost skin layer of cows. Many companies tout these as the safest and most effective way of treating wrinkles. Is it?

Truth to tell, this skin regimen does not work at all. I am sorry if you already have one. You need to read this article in its entirety. In that way, you will soon discover why it is not effective at all.

Moisturiser

Super collagen C is made up of collagen compound per se. These companies thought that by applying collagen directly into your skin, you would be removing wrinkles then. That is the actual case, however.

Collagen is a complex molecule. It is far larger in molecular size than your own skin pores. Some companies tell us that theirs are nano-emulsified, meaning, the substances used are too small to enter the skin.

Sad to say, these nano molecules are still not being absorbed by the body. Even a direct introduction of collagen into the body, as in the case of collagen injections, is still futile in keeping wrinkles away from your skin. Collagen, in whatever manner it is introduced, cannot be synthesized by the body---plain and simple.

Keep this in your mind always. The body alone can produce our own collagen molecules. Our body is such an amazing natural factory that it is capable of replacing dead and damaged cells.

As much as we want the body to stay this way, there are factors affecting its efficiency. Specifically, the natural aging process contributes largely to the slow down of various bodily functions. These include collagen regeneration.

Upon reaching the age of 25 years, we begin to lose around 1.5% total collagen per year. By the time you reach 45 years or so, a total of 25-30% of the entire collagen mass would have been lost.

Thanks to recent discoveries. There are natural ingredients now certified to boost our own natural collagen production. These substances keep the body's production line from slowing down.

So far, there are three leading collagen boosters. These are Cynergy TK, Phytessence Wakame and Coenzyme Q10. These are taken from natural sources with utmost care to ensure optimal effects. These are all it takes to remove wrinkles permanently.

Having said that, I know you will not be having hard time again jumping from one product to another. There is no more reason anymore for you to buy super collagen C; instead, use only those known as truly effective.

The Truth About Super Collagen C - Does it Really Work?

And to help you get clearer and younger looking skin, I will like to share with you one anti aging skin care range that I found contains more active ingredients than any other cream on the market. These ingredients are effective moisturizers, because they penetrate deeply and "nourish". So, they never feel greasy.

I have never seen any other natural products that is as good and report no negative or adverse effects. They are hypo-allergenic, fragrance free and can be used on any skin-type. For more information, come visit http://www.goodhealthyskin.com now.

Coffee Facial Mask for Clear Skin

I've recently gotten into the caffeine craze. Remember, caffeine has been indicted to the skincare hall of fame. Naturally, I just had to play around with it. And so, I've come up with this wonderfully scrumptious facial mask. It works wonders on my skin. I can really see the difference after the mask. My skin actually glows and it was baby smooth to the touch. Absolutely delightful!! Plus the aromatic coffee scent lingers long after the mask is removed. Another plus point, you're actually using used finely ground coffee, simply collect the used coffee after your morning coffee.

Ingredients

Skincare

3 tablespoons of used finely ground coffee

A small glass of milk

Directions

1) Add the used finely ground coffee into a bowl. Stir in milk until it achieves a think texture. Mix the ingredients till well blended. Try not to make the paste too diluted or it'll be runny and it's gonna be messy during application. If mixture becomes too runny, simply add a little more coffee into it.

2) When ready, apply the paste onto your face and neck and smooth it out all over your face. Avoid eyes and lips.

3) Slowly massage the mixture to your skin and relax for 20 mins.

4) While washing off the mask, slowly massage the paste to your skin. It acts further as an exfoliator. Don't massage too hard if you have sensitive skin

5) Pat dry face and apply moisturizer while skin is still damp to seal in moisture

Try it, you won't regret it. Remember not to scrub your skin too hard with the coffee grounds though.

Coffee Facial Mask for Clear Skin

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Proven Aloe Vera Benefits And Uses

While there are many claims as to Aloe Vera benefits and its uses, I would like to present some of the facts and information. I have been fortunate to be able to enjoy Aloe and its benefits.

Aloe is a genus of plants belonging to the Asphodelaceae family, and is related to onions and asparagus. The Aloe genus appears naturally in Africa, although many members of the genus are popular houseplants and can be found around the world. The most famous member of the genus is Aloe Vera, known for its medicinal uses and applications.

Skincare

Though there are several common medical uses for Aloe Vera, the most frequent use of the plant is in the form of a topical gel. Gels made from Aloe are used to treat burns and minor scrapes. Aloe Vera benefits range from soothing inflammation, pain relief, and a reduction in the likelihood of infection. Studies have also shown that regular use of an Aloe Vera based gel will actually speed the healing process in minor wounds, and even severe burns. It has been used in this capacity for hundreds of years. The thick leaves can be snapped open, and the moist open ends of the leave can be rubbed onto a burn or scrape directly.

In industrialized areas, the moisture form the Aloe leaves are extracted and made into the popular gel most people are familiar with. In more recent years, it has become more popular than ever and has found its way into skin lotions, cosmetic products, shampoos, lip balms, soaps and sunscreens. Some Aloe Vera benefits include a strong moisturizing capacity, and its extract contains a number of vitamins and minerals that are believed to promote healthy skin. It is a very gentle substance in itself, so one of the benefits of Aloe Vera is that it can be used in sensitive areas, such as around the eyes.

Aloe plants, have also found medicinal uses internally. Used in this way primarily as a laxative, the juice from aloe can be dried into a dark powder composed of yellowish granules that are quite bitter to taste. Internal use of Aloe is marketed as a treatment for coughs, ulcers, muscle pain, headaches, and even cancer and HIV. The only proven Aloe Vera benefit in internal use is the relief of constipation. Additionally, even in this use, internal use of the plant has a number of side effects, can cause nausea, and should not be taken by women who may be pregnant.

There is a lot of hype and mystery surrounding the Aloe genus, especially its most popular member Aloe Vera. Clearly, many Aloe Vera benefits are proven, especially the ones involved in external use and in skin care. Its benefits for internal use are somewhat dubious, however.

To enjoy Aloe Vera, you could chill it and mix with honey water. However, it taste good that you could even enjoy it on its own. That is one benefit to your taste bud!

Proven Aloe Vera Benefits And Uses

Joshua Poyoh is the creator of http://skincarehelper.com. Now he researches into the area of skincare. More about various skincare treatments.

Choosing The Best Soap For Your Dry Skin

Not only is dry skin a nuisance to deal with, it is uncomfortable. It is tight, itchy and painful. Sometimes, it can even crack and bleed leaving the way for infection to set in. You see, skin care is not always just about looking good, it is about staying healthy. If you fail to take care of your skin, you may set yourself up for a host of diseases and complications. After all, your skin is the largest organ of your body. It is responsible for numerous bodily functions that all work together to keep you healthy. This is why you should always strive to take care of your skin the best that you can.

Skin care should be a part of your daily routine no matter if you have dry skin or not. Having a good skin care regimen will prevent your skin from drying out in the first place. And since prevention is worth a pound of cure, it is in your best interest to start a routine if you don't currently have one. If you do have a routine, you may need to adjust it just a bit to achieve the best results.

\"skin Dry\"

To understand how to take care of your dry skin, you first need to understand how your skin remains moist and healthy. Skin tissue is moisturized from the inside out, meaning that your body produces the moisture that is encased in the layers of your skin. It is not absorbed by the skin. While moisture is not absorbed into the layers of your skin, it can be evaporated from your skin by the sun, hot water, extreme temperatures, and other external factors.

To help hold moisture in, your hair follicles produce oil which is called sebum. This oil wells up in the hair follicles until it spills over creating a layer of sebum on the skin. It is this layer of sebum which is responsible for protecting your skin from the elements and holding in moisture. Most cases of dry skin are caused by some sort of failure in this system. In some cases, the body just does not produce enough oil to keep skin moist due to genetics or a medical condition. In other cases, the oil may be removed through excessive bathing.

Bathing and Dry Skin

The one thing that you do that can really zap moisture from your skin is bathing. Not only do you remove sebum from your skin with soap while bathing, you also dehydrate your skin with hot water. Here are just a few ways that bathing causes dry skin and how to correct them:

* Length of shower - You would think that water would cause your skin to become moist, right? Wrong! Water that is absorbed into your skin during a shower only goes into the first layers of the skin resulting in a wrinkly, water logged appearance. This water is immediately evaporated once you leave the bath. In fact, a long shower or bath may even dry skin out.

* Water temperature - Hot water does a great deal when it comes to removing moisture from your skin. Be sure to use lukewarm or tepid water for your shower or bath.

* Soap - Harsh soaps can remove all of the oils from the surface of your skin resulting in dry, unprotected skin. Be sure to use a gentle soap that does not remove all surface oils. You may even want to use a moisturizing soap that will replace some of the oils removed from your skin through bathing.

* After shower - If you roughly dry your skin after you bathe, you may further dry it out. Gently pat skin dry and apply a moisturizer.

Soap for Your Dry Skin

You need to be careful when choosing the right soap for your dry skin. Not only does the soap need to be gentle and full of moisturizers, it should also be lightly fragrant. This is because heavy fragrances can irritate skin that is already raw from itching and scratching. Certain fragrances may even cause an allergic reaction which will only cause your dry skin to become worse.

When looking to purchase body soap for your dry skin, look for pure, gentle cleansing products that contain a lot of moisturizers. Be sure to read the ingredient label. Avoid products that have high alcohol content. Remember; product ingredients are listed according to how much ingredient is in each product. The ingredients listed first are the most abundant. Make sure that these are moisturizers.

Choosing The Best Soap For Your Dry Skin

www.dryskinsite.com brings you all the latest information you need to combat your dry skin problems. There's nothing to buy, just really helpful information. Be sure to check out pages like Dry Skin Soap. © 2007 copyright by DSquare Marketing and Della Franklin.