Protecting the Skin in Cooler Weather With Moisturizers

Moisturizers or emollients including bath oils, soap substitutes can be applied as frequently as required to relieve itching, scaling and dryness. Emollients should also be used on the unaffected skin to reduce dryness. Emollient therapy helps to restore one of the skin's most important functions, which is to form a barrier to prevent bacteria and viruses getting into the body and therefore help to prevent a rash becoming infected. Emollients are safe and rarely cause an allergic reaction. Occasionally, products with lanolin may cause a reaction. Ideally, moisturizers should be applied three to four times a day. Apply in a gentle downward motion in the direction of hair growth to prevent accumulation of cream around the hair follicle (this can cause infection of the follicle).

An excellent choice in moisturizers would be jojoba oil. The importance of jojoba oil derives from its similarity to the natural restorative oil produced by the sebaceous glands in the demal layers of the skin. Jojoba oil is non-allergenic and will not clog the pores.