The skin is the body’s largest organ, but the skin is different in different parts of the body. The way our skin behaves in different is largely dependent on the structure and also the exposure it gets. Some areas of our body for example our arms and face, are exposed a lot to external forces such as the such and hence get our main attention when it comes to tending to them.
The skin on our face, head, elbows, knees and feet differs slightly than the skin from the rest of our body.
We have identified that hands, elbows, knees and feet are the most neglected parts when it comes to skincare.
- Hands
The skin on the palms, on the tip of our fingers and on the backside of hands has a thick and robust layer and is rich in fatty and connective tissue, however has a shortage of natural moisturising factors (NMF)
Little or no hair indicates that the number of sebaceous glands is much lower than on other parts of the body.
The hair follicles, from which hair grows, are accompanied by sebaceous glands and therefore responsible for the production of sebum which provides skin with lipids and some of its moisture-binding components. So the hands have fewer lipids and are less able to bind in moisture than other parts of the body. Which means that we cannot ignore our hands while we are indulging in our skin care routine.
- Elbows
Dry elbows are often a problem in winter when temperatures and humidity levels are at an all-time low and deplete the skin of moisture, but this can happen at any time of the year. Be sure to consult your doctor if you have concerns about your dry skin.
Dry elbows are often particularly uncomfortable because they’re constantly moving and bending. If you care for your elbows properly and keep them moisturized, the skin shouldn’t crack under the pressure of this constant movement. However, when your elbows are very low on moisture as they lack the elasticity, and so bending the arm can cause dry skin to crack as it stretches. To top it elbows keep brushing against surfaces and clothes. To help avoid this, it’s a good idea to treat and soothe dry skin on elbows right away, without having to wait for them to flake out.
- Knees
While the flakes on your knees may be hinting towards dry skin, that’s probably not the case. When the skin is injured, it has two possible responses: it can darken or it can thicken. Your knees are subjected to many injuries, some as minor as kneeling on the ground. There is a lot of wear and tear that happens in and around the skin of the knees.Thus, the skin on the knees thickens, which often develops dry flakes.
Your intensive moisturizing routine requires you to concentrate on your knees as well. This is because it’s not actually dry skin; it’s thickened skin. The best way to treat this extra layer of skin is the same way you treat the extra dead cells on your face: moisturize and exfoliate!
- Feet
Our feet are the most neglected parts of our body. While we use our feet the maximum and have the maximum exposure, we tend to overlook the care of our feet.
Extreme temperatures, aging and even the shoes you wear can lead to dry, cracked skin on your feet. It can lead to sores and blisters and even bleeding in severe cases. To avoid that, it is essential that one takes care of the skin on the feet.
Dry skin isn’t a serious problem, but it can be unattractive and uncomfortable. Treating dry skin yourself is a three-step process that requires exfoliation, softening and moisturizing. Psst! We have a solution for your dry skin woes- it is tried, tested and has worked for centuries. Cocoa Butter! It is easily available in the market and a tub of cocoa butter is your skin’s best friend during winters. For all the neglected skin on your body, cocoa butter will work like magic. It is easily available in market and won’t burn a hole in your pocket as well. It has an amazing fragrance that will linger on for the entire day and make you feel lively and fresh. So this winter, make cocoa butter an integral part of your intelligent skincare routine.
