Have you ever examined your skin under a magnifying glass? Do you see all those little white lines? Congratulations! You’re like millions of others, and you have dry skin.
It’s time to moisturize. The problem is with all of the marketing, advertising, and celebrity hype, how do you know what works? You have to shop the ingredient label and know the quality of the ingredients. Most of the popular brands that are heavily advertised spend their budget not on quality ingredients but on ADVERTISING!
Ingredients in lotions you want to avoid, or at least see at the bottom of the ingredient label, may include:
- Benzalkonium chloride - a preservative known to be an extreme eye irritant as well as cause allergic reactions and respiratory distress.
- Fragrance - not such a good thing when many of them are known carcinogens. The only purpose they serve is adding an aroma.
- Mineral oil - a product derived from crude oil that may be disguised under a variety of other names.
Your skin is your body’s frontline when it comes to protecting you from infection. If this first defense layer is compromised because of cracked or dry skin, you open up the possibility of infections. It is particularly important for people with diabetes to protect the skin on their feet and be very vigilant. The potential harm to their feet is compounded due to loss of sensation. Also, people with skin conditions such as dermatitis, eczema or psoriasis should be treated medically.
During the summer months if you wear sandals or spend any time barefoot on the beach, get a lotion with 50 SPF sunblock added. Dr. Bowman can recommend a good brand of lotion for you, one where all of the chemical additives don’t do more harm than good. For dry, cracked skin on your feet or heels, contact him at (713) 467-8886. Look for a healthy product, then--rub it in.
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