Has this ever happened to you? You go to the beach on a fine summer day, or perhaps you're getting ready for a hot date, only to find that the stunning, ravishing effect you're reaching for is blocked by ugly dry skin patches on your elbows, knees, or other parts of your body.

 

Now admittedly, dark patches of dry skin are not too serious compared to other skin problems. Nevertheless, having them can really be annoying or even embarrassing.

Dry elbows, dry knees, or dry skin on the face is something that most of us experience. However, did you know that with the right kind of moisturizing lotion, the problem can be minimized or even resolved? But with so many brands of facial moisturizers and body lotions out there, finding the best one to make your complexion smooth and even can be a frustrating task.

 

Before we talk about what you should be looking for in a skin moisturizer or lotion, let's first take a look at some of the causes of dry skin. If your dry skin patch is accompanied by redness, itchiness, flaking, or pustules, then it's best you consult your dermatologist or physician first before using any skin treatments.  

These and other symptoms could indicate a more serious health problem, some of which are the following:

*Eczema

*Psoriasis

*Diabetes

*Hypothyroidism

Diabetes and hypothyroidism can deplete your skin of the water it needs to stay supple and moisturized; eczema and psoriasis can not only be unsightly, they can be painful as well. These dry, itchy skin conditions require more direct treatment, but using a good hypoallergenic lotion can also be very helpful.

Other Causes of Dry Skin

It isn't just your elbows, face, and knees that can suffer from skin dryness. Other problem areas include your abdomen, legs, hands and feet. The possible culprits?

*Weather. Skin tends to dry out and become more brittle during the winter months. Also, staying in cold, air-conditioned rooms for the greater part of the day can worsen the problem.

*Detergents/soaps. Chemicals in the detergents you use to wash your clothes can cause allergic reactions in addition to exacerbating a dry skin patch problem. Many soaps can do the same thing. In addition, many soap and body wash brands can strip your skin of the natural oils it needs for proper moisturization.

*The length of time it takes you to bathe or shower. Who doesn't like luxuriating in long, hot baths or spending more than just a few minutes taking a hot shower? While such practices may feel good, keep in mind that they can also contribute to skin becoming dryer since they can wash away your body's natural moisturizing oils.

*Malnutrition. A diet that is nutritionally deficient, plus failure to take in adequate amounts of water, can dehydrate your skin.

*Aging. As we grow older, we lose collagen and elastin, two proteins that are vital for maintaining the skin's structure. An inadequate supply of these two substances in the body leads to skin imperfections such as wrinkles, under eye bags, dark eye circles, sagging skin, and dry skin.

You can take measures to improve the coolness or warmth of your immediate surroundings (by turning up the heat or turning down the air conditioner, for example); you can change the soap and detergent you use; you can add lots of fruits and vegetables and water to your diet; you can change how long you bathe or shower; but can you modify the effects of aging on your skin?

Yes, you can.

Getting sufficient amounts of sleep, eating healthy and exercising, avoiding excessive smoking and drinking of alcohol, developing the ability to deal successfully with the stresses of everyday life -- all these work wonders when it comes to keeping your skin looking and feeling young. Add an excellent body lotion to your skin care regimen, and you'll seem to be practically turning back the hands of time, by restoring and rejuvenating your skin to its more youthful smoothness and more even complexion.

What NOT to Look for in a Body Lotion or Moisturizer

Maybe your favorite facial or body moisturizer boasts of the following:

*It contains mineral oil.
*It contains collagen.
*It smells great!

If you think such characteristics make it a good deal, you better think again. It could be doing you more harm than good.

Many mineral oils in dry skin treatment products come from petrolatum -- a petroleum by-product -- which can clog your pores and cause acne outbreaks.

Collagen in skin care products are derived from sources that are NOT compatible with the natural collagen that your own body produces. Moreover, the molecules of synthetic collagen are simply too big for your skin to absorb -- they need to have a molecular size of less than 2,000 Daltons in order for them to penetrate your skin effectively. However, the collagen in most of the commercial skin creams and lotions today range from 5,000 to 9,000 Daltons.

Scents or fragrances in anti-aging skin care products are composed of harsh chemicals that can dry out and irritate your skin.

Taking all these into account, it's puzzling to think why we pin our hopes on external sources for what we need for smooth, silky skin. Wouldn't it be better instead to look for something that galvanizes our body to naturally produce on its own what it needs to have healthy, smooth skin that's a pleasure to look at and to touch?

An efficient yet hypoallergenic anti-aging and restorative skin care product, such as a moisturizer or lotion, can do this effectively and safely.

What You Most Definitely Should Be Considering in a Skin Moisturizer or Lotion

The best natural body lotion for dry skin patches, wrinkles, and sagging skin should contain efficient amounts of active ingredients that:

-stimulate your body to naturally increase its production of the vital skin proteins collagen and elastin
-have been clinically proven to significantly improve your skin's elasticity and its ability to retain moisture within a very short period of time
-contain antioxidants to reinforce the defenses of your body's largest organ -- your skin! -- from the damaging and aging effects of free radicals to which it is exposed every single day
-have no toxic properties, cause no allergic reactions, and are safe for every skin type and color in all climates

Such an ideal natural body lotion DOES exist, and you can find it in New Zealand. Don't worry, you don't have to be living in New Zealand to experience this terrific dry skin treatment product's many benefits for yourself, since the manufacturer delivers all over the world.

Effectively treating those unsightly and embarrassing dry skin patches on parts of your body such as your elbows, knees, heels, legs, face, tummy, and others, shouldn't have to be more difficult and more expensive than it really is. Visit http://smooth-silky-skin.com today to learn in greater depth about what your skin does and doesn't need to become and stay healthy. Acquiring more knowledge is a giant step forward to becoming more confident about how smooth and healthy your skin looks and feels, and about how un-patchy and un-splotchy your complexion appears all over -- whether you're in your sexiest evening dress or suit, your bikini or swimsuit -- or, best of all, your birthday suit!