Did you know that one in six primary care consultations are skin related? As a pharmacist or pharmacy assistant, you may find you are asked by your customers about dry skin and skin health. Since these enquiries may be on a weekly basis, or even more frequently, it is important to recognise what causes dry skin and how moisturising products work in order to provide your customers with the best advice and guidance.
Q: Why do we get dry skin?
A: Dry skin can be caused by a number of factors including weather, the environment, diet, genetics and even age. Essentially, dry skin is the loss of moisture in the Stratum Corneum which can come from the depletion of natural moisturising factor (NMF) and natural oils in the skin. This results in a reduction of the skin’s natural ability to absorb water. The loss of water causes the cells to shrink, and the skin initially begins to feel tight. The formation of tiny cracks in the skin weaken the Stratum Corneum, and consequently allow irritants to penetrate deeper – thus dry skin is often an initiator of the onset of sensitive skin.
The accumulation of the loss of moisture held in the skin and the impaired barrier properties result in the skin’s natural process of exfoliation breaking down, causing several layers of the corneocytes to be removed inconsistently in the form of flakes. As several layers are removed at a time, the underlying immature skin cells, which have inferior properties to normal skin cells, become exposed. This begins the onset of visual dry skin. Dry skin also finds it more difficult to repair itself due to the lack of a suitable level of moisture in the skin.
Q: Do people with very dry skin have different moisturising needs?
A: People with dry and very dry skin need a product which contains something to enhance their skin barrier, as well as humectants, to help the skin retain water to keep it moisturised. The Vaseline Intensive Rescue range uses both barrier enhancers and active humectants to make highly effective products. Daily care can bring dry skin back to health and continued care can maintain the hydration levels in the skin, preventing skin from becoming unhealthy.
Q: What is exfoliation?
A: The thickness of healthy skin varies in different parts of the body but remains constant and so old skin cells are always being shed and replaced by new cells. This process is under the control of various enzymes at the skin surface. It’s important to remember that enzymes need water to work properly. Dry skin sheds in flakes, as shown in the diagrams below.
Normal cell exfoliation
- Lipids and oils are intact up to the surface
- Desmosomes (the glue between the cells) fully degraded
- Skin Cells shed as individual, microscopic cells
Dry skin exfoliation
- Lipid and oils lost; unable to maintain hydration
- Desmosomes (the glue between the cells) improperly degraded
- Skin Cells shed as visible flakes
Healthy skin = one layer removed at a time = one layer grown
Dry skin = several layers of skin removed = immature cells appearing on surface which are not ready
Uneven exfoliation = skin has a dull, uneven flaky appearance
It’s hard for skin to renew itself when it is dry, so it’s important to increase moisture levels in the skin, and then keep it locked in.
A: You can prevent dry skin by looking after it, for example:
- Use gentle body washes
- Try to steer away from soaps which can dry your skin
- Gentle exfoliation with a suitable skin care product will help remove the top layers of cells and allow fresh new cells to come through
- Eat healthily, a healthy body is more able to fight back dry skin, and drink plenty of water, both of which will help keep your skin healthy over time
- Regularly use moisturisers to help keep your skin healthy, such as Vaseline Intensive Rescue’s range of moisturisers which contain:
Humectants
- Maintain the water content in the skin by pulling moisture into its cells
- Keep cells soft, pliable and elastic
- Improve the visual appearance of the skin
Occlusives
- Replace lost lipids – the main component of skin cells
- Provide a physical barrier to prevent water loss through the skin
- Protect the skin from the outside world
Emollients
- Spread evenly on the skin
- Provide partial occlusion that hydrates the skin
- Contribute to the flexibility, softness and smoothness of the skin
- Add aesthetic properties to moisturisers
A: Not all moisturisers are equal. The right balance of ingredients is essential to provide the right environment for dry skin to repair itself. Moisturisers in the Vaseline Intensive Rescue range contain the optimum balance of the ingredients – humectants, occlusives and emollients.
-
Humectants
- Maintain the water content in the skin by pulling moisture into its cells
- Keep cells soft, pliable and elastic
- Improve the visual appearance of the skin
-
Occlusives
- Replace lost lipids – the main component of skin cells
- Provide a physical barrier to prevent water loss through the skin
- Protect the skin from the outside world
-
Emollients
- Spread evenly on the skin
- Provide partial occlusion that hydrates the skin
- Contribute to the flexibility, softness and smoothness of the skin
- Add aesthetic properties to moisturisers
A: It is important to apply regularly, ensuring that the emollient is spread across the skin. The optimum time to apply an emollient is after a shower when the skin has an increased level of water. Application within 10 minutes of a shower can help to hold the extra moisture. For sufferers of very dry skin, regular application through out the day is most effective.
Q: How much moisturiser does an adult need daily to keep their skin hydrated?
A: Your patients and customers may find ‘mg’s confusing, Vaseline scientists have created a tear off pad with advice on how to manage dry skin which helps explain the right amount to apply in an easy to understand way.
- Torso (front) 109 / 2 dessert spoons*
- Torso (back) 10g / 2 dessert spoons*
- Upper arm 4g / 2 teaspoons*
- Lower arm 4g / 2 teaspoons*
- Hands 1g / ½ teaspoon*
- Upper leg 5g / 1 dessert spoon*
- Lower leg 5g / 1 dessert spoon*
- Feet 1g / ½ teaspoon*
* Amounts vary according to individual requirements – 5mg = 1 teaspoon
A: Moisturisers should be applied frequently, about two to three times a day, although amounts will vary depending on patients’ individual requirements.
Q: How long will a moisturiser take to work?
A: A moisturiser can work instantly if it is formulated to do so, however it is important to incorporate instant moisture with long lasting care. Products with humectants can use the water in the formulation to provide instant moisture to the skin, which helps to soothe the discomfort of dry skin. With the added inclusion of occlusives, these can work with the humectants to deliver an improved skin barrier which helps the skin in the long term, preventing water loss through the stratum corneum. It is important to realise that dry skin needs constant application of moisturiser - too much moisturiser will not cause any adverse effects as once the skin has absorbed as much as it can, the excess product will remain on the surface of the skin providing an extra barrier to allergens and water loss.
Q: How does Vaseline Intensive Rescue relieve dry skin?
A: The unique balance of humectants – that immediately moisturise and act like a sponge to draw moisture in to the skin cells and hold it there, occlusives – that protect weak and immature skin cells by forming a hydrophobic barrier on the surface of skin to lock in moisture and emollients – that enhance the look and feel of skin in the Vaseline Intensive Rescue range of products means they provide instant relief and long lasting moisturisation for people suffering from dry or very dry skin.
Q: What have been the latest developments in the dry skin sector?
A: The dry skin sector is not full of grand claims and faddy ingredients like other areas and products and tend to be more clinical in nature. In fact, as scientists discover more about the way the skin’s barrier works, newer ingredients and products are being developed with treatments targeted for specific ages and skin types. Superior formulations mean that dry skin sufferers can now get all the moisturising benefits of the ingredients without the side effects like a greasy smell or a medicinal feel.
Q: How is Vaseline Intensive Rescue different from other products currently on the market?
A: The range has been designed by Vaseline scientists to target the specific causes of dry skin. All products are made using well known highly efficacious ingredients, they are lanolin free, and contain the right balance of moisturising ingredients which are known to be effective. The products are easily absorbed by the skin and moisturise without leaving a greasy feeling. And because the moisturising ingredients are well established, dry skin users will find they are less likely to suffer from skin reactions that can be caused by highly fragranced products.
Q: Which moisturisers in the Vaseline Intensive Rescue range are most effective?
A: All the products in the range are effective, but people opt for different products depending on their need and personal preference.
The Moisture Locking Body Lotion is a highly effective lotion that increases moisture levels instantly and locks in moisture all day, promoting the ideal environment for dry skin to repair itself. The Moisture Locking Body Butter is a rich yet fast absorbing butter that penetrates deep into the skin to help relieve the symptoms of dry and very dry skin. The Relief and Repair Balm is perfect for frequent application to dry skin trouble spots. More than 50% of ingredients in the Relief & Repair Balm are moisturising agents!
The Soothing Hand Cream has a cationic formulation that allows this cream to provide instant hydration without the stickiness of most hand creams, whilst the Hydrating Foot Cream is fast absorbing and is formulated with AHA’s to help promote exfoliation and soften dry, cracked heels.
Q: Does skin on different parts of the body need special care and products?
A: The palms of the hands and the soles of the feet are the only parts of the body without sebum glands, which would normally moisturise skin and so are more likely to become dry. Vaseline Intensive Rescue Soothing Hand Cream has a cationic formulation that provides instant hydration without the stickiness of some hand creams, whilst the Hydrating Foot Cream is fast absorbing and formulated with AHA’s to help promote exfoliation and soften dry, cracked heels.
Many consumers find they have particularly dry spots across their bodies which need further care - especially elbows and knees. The Relief and Repair Balm is a rich cream which is ideal for targeted relief, as well as providing long lasting care to these areas of skin.
The Relief and Repair Balm is a rich balm, perfect for frequent application to dry skin trouble spots, whereas the Moisture Locking Body Lotion and the Moisture Locking Body Butter are suitable for all over body use.
Q: Why do people suffer more from dry hands in the winter?
A: As the temperature changes the colder weather also brings about the reduction in the humidity in the air, central heating also dries out the environment. This results in more people suffering from not just dry hands but all over the body in the winter. People can help manage this by moisturising regularly.
Q: Can someone with dry skin use any of the products in the range or only the Relief & Repair Balm?
A: The Vaseline Intensive Rescue range has been designed for those who have dry and very dry skin. They are also suitable for sensitive skin. The Relief & Repair Balm has been developed for frequent application to dry skin trouble spots, such as elbows and knees, and has been tested and found to be safe for use on skin with eczema and psoriasis.
Q: My six year old child’s skin needs moisturising, but he doesn’t like the greasy feel of most moisturisers. Are there any products available that are suitable for dry skin but that are not greasy?
A: The superior formulation of the Vaseline Intensive Rescue range means that those with dry skin can get all the moisturising benefits of the ingredients without the side effect of greasiness.
Q: Are the products in the Vaseline Intensive Rescue range suitable for use on skin with eczema?
A: All the products are safe for use. In particular, the Relief and Repair balm is ideal for frequent application to dry skin trouble sports, and can be safely used on skin with eczema.
Q: Should you still continue using a moisturising agent when your skin feels more comfortable and supple?
A: Yes, as continued use ensures that skin remains hydrated and reduces the risk of dry skin.
