Skin Care Guide

Dry Skin

Dry skin also may be a problem for you and your skin's health. With menopause, declining estrogen levels may affect your skin - most often making it drier, but sometimes your skin will become oilier even if you never had oily skin as a younger person. Health problems common to older women also may affect the skin. Blood pressure medications and diuretics may cause dryness. When the skin becomes dry it needs water, not oil, to help rejuvenate it. Aides for dry skin typically are found in three preparations: lotions, creams, and ointments.

Lotions are least effective at replacing lost moisture in very dry skin. But they evaporate quickly, making them the most convenient to use, and possibly helpful for normal and oily skin. Creams are heavier than lotions and are therefore more effective at sealing in moisture for normal to dry skin. Ointments, like Vaseline, are thick and are best for preventing moisture from escaping from the skin, but you may find that they are inconvenient to use regularly. Healthcare professionals advise women with very dry skin against using soap and also alcohol-based astringents (toners), which typically dry out the skin.