Chapped skin is a very common problem and, in the more severe cases, it can be quite unpleasant. Chapping of the skin is often a problem suffered by people who have to wash their hands a lot, but it can also be caused by other things such as cold weather.
If you are reading this though (and you obviously are) the chances are that you are more interested in how to prevent or treat the problem than you are in why the problem occurred in the first place.
For preventing chapped skin there really are not too many options available. If you are a housewife or househusband, or if you work in a commercial kitchen, then the chances are that your hands will get rather wet rather often and the best way to prevent chapping is to apply a barrier cream before starting work (you may need to apply it more than once a day). This should help, but as is so often the case in life, there are no guarantees and the barrier cream might be more effective for some people than it is for others. A more traditional alternative is to mix some glycerin and rosewater together and then rub the mixture well into the skin (you might need to dry off with a tissue or paper towel afterwards). For very sensitive skin, though, you might prefer to use a half and half mix of cocoa-butter and pure olive oil.
If chapped skin is already a problem for you there are any number of creams available to help with the problem and your friendly neighborhood chemist should be able to advise.
Or alternatively you could try turning to aromatherapy. Benzoin and patchouli are both recommended for the treatment of chapped skin and lavender or geranium can also prove effective. Just add 15 – 20 drops of your chosen oil to a carrier oil or lotion and apply to the affected area.
Aromatherapy Oils Explained [http://www.aroma.mr-c.me.uk]
Natural Remedy Resources [http://www.allnaturalhealing.mr-c.me.uk/]
