Winter is finally taking hold here in the U.S.
With the cold temperatures and dry air comes dry skin.
A lot of us suffer with it this time of year.
So what works? And is an over the counter product called SkinZinc the one-size fits all answer?
When you’re talking about dry skin, or red skin, or red dry skin, you’re talking about a lot of different potential causes.
Some are more common than others.
So when you look at a product like this one, called skin zinc, you have to ask yourself: is it appropriate for every cause, or at least, the most common causes of dry red skin?
“I get really dry skin at this time of the year, usually kind of red blotchy,” says Ian.
“It hurts,” says Deborah.
“As soon as the heat goes on our skin gets dry because there is no moisture in the skin, it doesn’t have the natural moisture content,” says Dr. Marc Avram, a cosmetic dermatologist, from Long Island College Hospital.
So dry air is one reason for dry, red, maybe cracked, maybe scaly skin, but there are so many others.
Dr. Avram says, “Harsh soaps, hot showers, detergents, bleaches, things that are put in our clothes to clean them can sometimes irritate the skin and make it red and itchy.”
So can many diseases--from psoriasis, to eczema, to several others.
So, here’s the question: does this set of products…skin zinc…provide any benefit?
It claims to---for a variety of conditions, including psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis, dandruff, skin irritations, itching skin, flaking skin, skin redness, dry skin, and scaling.
Bernard Willlimann, Executive VP Pravel Health, which makes Skin Zinc, says, “Skin Zinc is a unique combination therapy system for severe irritated dry skin specifically for psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis and dandruff on the scalp. So it goes a little beyond severe dry skin.”
It contains two key ingredients….zinc pyrithione--in a spray--and 2% salicylic acid in a cream.
Mr. Willimann says, “It’s the combination of the two that makes for a very powerful way to soothe the skin to get rid of the scaling and the itching and the irradiation and the dryness and the redness and the flaking.”
New York cosmetic dermatologist Dr. Marc Avram says yes, these ingredients are effective agents in helping to treat some causes of dry, red, or scaly skin--namely, psoriasis and seborrheic dermatitis...but mainly in conjunction with other treatments like steroid cream for psoriasis.
He says they’re not typically used alone for each condition.
And what about the most common causes of dry red scaly skin this time of year—again, dry air, water that’s too hot, and soaps and detergents?
“So just plain mild soap, unscented plain soaps is what you use. Just a warm comfortable shower, and to moisturizer afterwards is highly effect to help dry itchy skin,” says Dr. Avram.
So is this combination packet of zinc and salicylic acid worth the money?
Bear in mind zinc is what’s in head and shoulders.. at a lower dose.
“I probably won’t go right away for the $60 order of zinc, Skin Zinc. I would probably go to a dermatologist first and be evaluated for your skin condition and see what you really need for it,” says Dr. Avram.
Skin zinc does contain some moisturizers…like aloe, key for dry skin, and in theory, could help with other dry skin problems like eczema.
But ingredients are not identified as effective against eczema by the FDA..
Perhaps the best way to treat dry skin is to moisturize, moisturize, moisturize, after every time you wash your hands or shower.
Cetaphil is awesome, there are others like Eucerin cream.
Again, go to your dermatologist or your doctor for the best guidance on treating your dry skin.