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Helping Dry Skin

Moisturizers (emollients) help those suffering from dry skin conditions, such as eczema, dermatitis or psoriasis. Emollients work to restore moisture by trapping water in the skin and creating a barrier on the skin's surface to prevent further water loss. Moisturizers come in many different forms - creams, lotions, bath oils and ointments.

After bathing, gently pat the skin with a towel and immediately apply a good moisturizer (emollient) to your slightly wet skin. This helps to seal in the moisture. If you have excessive scaling and flaking of the skin, apply a lotion that contains an alpha hydroxy acid. Petroleum jelly or a thick cream is best for sealing skin moisture.

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