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moisturisers for elderly skin
Posted: Mon Mar 22, 2021 6:17 pm
by talkhealth
Hi, a question about elderly skin. Thankfully, my parents have had their Covid jab (70s). The nurse administering the jab told my dad that his skin is very very dry. He is a stubborn man and won't readily go to his GP. What over the counter moisturisers can I buy for him?
Re: moisturisers for elderly skin
Posted: Thu Mar 25, 2021 6:45 pm
by Dr Rishika Sinha
Thank you for your question.
Dry skin is not uncommon as we get older as the structure of our skin can naturally change. The layers of our skin become naturally thinner leading making it more difficult to retain moisture. The dryness can be exacerbated by hard water, frequent washing and use of soaps.
Moisturisers generally come in three forms: lotions, creams and ointments. Lotions are water based and may not be the most effective in moisturising the skin. Ointments are thick, greasy moisturisers that can be difficult to apply, but provide an excellent level of hydration as well as acting as a ‘barrier’. Creams have a thicker consistency than lotions and are easier to apply than ointments. They are suitable for the general population. There are many brands of creams available, and I would suggest trying one that is free of fragrance, SLS, parabens and lanolin.