Dryness and itch in older people, safe care in pregnancy and breastfeeding, diabetic feet.
With age the skin makes less oil, which is why winter brings itching; a thick fragrance-free cream twice a day is the main fix. Apply CeraVe Moisturising Cream For Dry to Very Dry Skin to arms, legs and back within 3 minutes of bathing and again at night. See a doctor if they itch without visible dryness, or there is a rash, yellow eyes or weight loss.
Before bed, apply a thick layer of Bioderma Atoderm Intensive Baume to the itchy areas, then dress them in loose cotton. Put a cotton sheet between the skin and any woollen blanket. Keep nails short. See a doctor if two weeks of cream does not help, if there are sores or bleeding, or if other family members start itching too, which can mean scabies.
For scaly shins, use CeraVe SA Lotion for Rough & Bumpy Skin at night; it softens the dead skin. After the morning bath, use a plain thick cream. Do not put the SA lotion on cuts or bleeding cracks. If a shin turns red, hot, swollen and painful, or starts weeping, see a doctor promptly, as it may be an infection.
We do not have a dedicated heel cream on our shelf right now, but a thick balm at night works well. Soak the feet in lukewarm water for 5 minutes, dry them, then apply a thick layer of Bioderma Atoderm Intensive Baume and put on cotton socks. Never use a blade. See a doctor if cracks bleed, ooze pus or turn red and swollen, or if they have diabetes.
Fragrance and colourants raise the risk of irritation and allergy on thin, dry older skin, so choose a fragrance-free cream such as Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream Dry to Very Dry, Sensitive Skin. Apply twice a day, after bathing and at night. With a large tub, scoop with a clean spoon. If a new cream causes red bumps or burning, stop it and see a doctor.
Yes, very hot water and harsh soap dry older skin further and worsen itching. Keep the water warm, not hot, and baths to 5 to 10 minutes. Use soap only on underarms, groin and feet, and choose a mild bar like Cetaphil Gentle Cleansing Bar there. Plain water is enough for the rest of the body. Keep a non-slip mat in the bathroom.
Right after the bath, seat them somewhere warm and dot Bioderma Atoderm Crème Ultra-Nourishing Cream on the back, shins and tops of the feet, then spread in long strokes. While applying, look for sores, bruises, blisters or new moles. Do not put cream between the toes. If you spot a new sore or an unusual mark, see a doctor.
Mustard oil makes skin feel slick, but on thin, itchy skin it can sting for some, and it does not hold water in the way a lotion does. If it causes no irritation, a little is fine. For itchy skin, CeraVe Moisturising Lotion for Dry to Very Dry Skin after the bath works better, with ceramides and glycerin. Stop the oil if it burns or causes red bumps.
Apply a thick balm to the lips and corners several times a day, such as Vaseline Lip Therapy Cocoa Butter, especially after meals and before sleep. Avoid licking the lips. Loose dentures let saliva pool in the corners and cause sores. See a doctor if it has not healed in two weeks or there is a white coating, bleeding or pain; it may be fungal or a vitamin deficiency.
For dry older faces, use a rich, gentle cream such as Cetaphil Rich Hydrating Cream. Morning and night, wash with warm water and apply a pea-sized amount. Add sunscreen on top before going out in the sun. See a doctor for any new sore, bleeding mole or scaly patch that will not heal; at this age these need checking.
Seat them at least one metre from the heater and keep a bucket of water in the room so the air is less dry. Apply Cetaphil Moisturising Cream For Dry To Normal Sensitive Skin twice a day, plus once more on hands and face at midday. If they have numb feet or diabetes, keep feet away from the heater; a burn may not be felt.
During pregnancy, a plain, fragrance-free moisturiser is generally safe, such as Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream for Dry Skin. Apply it to the face, arms, legs and belly after bathing and at night. Avoid creams with retinol or high-strength acids. Before starting any new product, show the ingredient list to your doctor and confirm.
Use a light moisturiser that still holds water, such as Minimalist 10% Vitamin B5 Face Moisturizer. Morning and night, after a gentle cleanser, apply a pea-sized amount on damp skin, with sunscreen on top in the morning. Panthenol (B5) is generally considered safe, but confirm with your doctor. Sudden facial swelling or headache needs a doctor quickly.
The belly skin is stretching, which makes it itch, so apply a thick fragrance-free cream twice a day, such as Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream Dry to Very Dry, Sensitive Skin. Wear loose cotton and avoid scratching with nails. See a doctor quickly if you get intense itching on the palms and soles, worse at night, or dark urine or yellow eyes; it can be a liver condition.
Honestly, there is no strong proof that any cream fully prevents stretch marks; genes and fast weight gain matter most. Regular massage does keep the skin supple and less itchy. If you like, massage Palmers Massage Cream for Stretch Marks & Pregnancy Skin Care into the belly, thighs and breasts once a day. Ask your doctor before starting.
During pregnancy, avoid all retinoids (retinol, retinal, adapalene, tretinoin), hydroquinone and high-strength AHA/BHA peels. If a label shows retin, put it aside. Keep a gentle routine: wash with Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser, then a fragrance-free moisturiser and sunscreen. Talk to your doctor before treating acne or dark marks.
Stop the retinol today, and do not panic; very little retinol applied to skin enters the body. Tell your doctor at your next check-up which product you used and for how long. Keep only a barrier cream in your night routine, such as Dr. Althea 147 Barrier Cream. Confirm with your doctor before starting anything new.
Yes, sunscreen is generally safe, and you need it in winter too, because melasma develops easily in pregnancy. Apply Missha All Around Safe Block Aqua Sun SPF50+ PA++++ after moisturiser in the morning, two finger-lengths for face and neck, and reapply every 2 to 3 hours outdoors. With sensitive skin, consider a mineral sunscreen too. Show your doctor the ingredients.
Pregnancy melasma comes from hormones plus sun, and for many it fades in the months after delivery. For now, the main job is daily sunscreen, such as Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun: Rice + Niacinamide SPF50+ PA++++, plus an umbrella or hat. No bleach, whitening creams or hydroquinone. See a doctor if it spreads fast or has not faded after delivery.
For pregnancy acne, start gentle: wash morning and night with COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser, then a light moisturiser, and sunscreen in the morning. Do not pick spots, and change pillowcases twice a week. No retinoids or harsh home packs. If the acne is painful or deep, see a doctor, who can suggest a safe treatment.
Not very hot: bathe in warm water instead, since very hot water raises body heat, causes dizziness and dries the skin into itching. Keep baths under 10 minutes and use a mild cleanser such as Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser Normal To Dry & Sensitive Skin. Use a non-slip mat. Tell your doctor if you feel dizzy or faint while bathing.
First speak to a doctor or lactation adviser, because cracks are most often caused by the baby's latch. We do not stock a nipple cream right now. After feeds, dab on a few drops of breast milk and let it air dry, and avoid soap there. See a doctor quickly for bleeding, severe pain, a red hot lump, fever or white patches.
Yes, a plain cleanser, moisturiser, sunscreen and a mild serum like niacinamide are generally fine, for example 2 to 3 drops of Minimalist Niacinamide 5% Face Serum at night. Keep all products away from the breast area, as they can reach the baby's mouth. Always ask your doctor before starting retinoids or strong acids.
After birth, hormones drop suddenly and sleep is short, so skin dries out. Keep it simple: a gentle cleanser, then Cetaphil Moisturising Cream For Dry To Normal Sensitive Skin morning and night, and plenty of water. While breastfeeding, ask your doctor before new active ingredients. See a doctor for severe tiredness, heavy hair fall or persistent low mood.
Do not take cracked feet lightly with diabetes, because germs enter through cracks. Every day after bathing, dry the feet and apply CeraVe Moisturising Cream For Dry to Very Dry Skin to heels and soles, never between the toes. Wear cotton socks. No blades or pumice scrubbing. See a doctor the same day if cracks bleed, ooze pus, or turn red, swollen or painful.
Every night, in good light, look at the tops, heels, soles and between the toes; use a mirror or ask a family member to check the soles. Look for cuts, blisters, cracks, red marks, swelling or colour change. Wash in warm water with Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser Normal To Dry & Sensitive Skin and dry thoroughly. Report anything new to your doctor.
Do not wait with these signs: a cut or blister that has not dried in two or three days, pus or a bad smell, a red, hot or swollen foot, skin turning black or bluish, fever, or new tingling or numbness. Do not wait it out with creams or home pastes. Have a doctor examine your feet at least once a year.
White, soggy, itchy skin between the toes is often a fungal infection, and with diabetes it can crack and let germs in. After bathing, dry between the toes well with a soft cloth, keep creams out of those gaps and wear dry cotton socks daily. See a doctor for antifungal treatment, and promptly if there is cracking, redness or pain.
High blood sugar dries the skin further, so winter itching gets worse. Take short warm baths and apply Bioderma Atoderm Crème Ultra-Nourishing Cream within 3 minutes, and again at night. Keeping sugar under control is part of the treatment. See a doctor for sores from scratching, red bumps, or itching in the groin or under the breasts, which may be fungal.
Be careful: when diabetes reduces feeling in the feet, a burn may not be felt. Do not put a hot bottle directly on the feet; warm the bed before sleeping and then remove it. Wear cotton or wool socks to keep feet warm. Test soaking water with your elbow first. See a doctor the same day for any blister, red mark or burn.