Your Dry Skin Questions Answered

Dry skin is an increasingly common problem. It affects millions of women and men around the world every day. But lots of people just live with it because we don’t understand how our body works.

If you suffer from dry skin, then you probably already know that it makes everything feel miserable at times. In this article, we’ll explain what dry skin looks like, what causes dry skin, and tips and tricks on how to prevent it.

What does dry skin look like?

When you’re experiencing dry skin, you might notice flaking, itching, or cracking. For those of you that commonly have dry skin you’ll understand the stress that it can sometime cause, dry skin can easily be irritated by cosmetic products or the weather.

Some people have small amounts of dry skin in specific places, such as the mouth, nose or eyes. Others might find that their facial skin is okay but they suffer on their hands, hair or feet. 

Wherever the dry skin may be, it can be annoying to deal with and in some cases, a real confidence dampener. It’s sometimes helpful to keep in mind that most people will suffer from some form of dry skin in their lifetime.

There are some things that you can be doing at home to give your skin the help that it needs. 

In the next section we’ll look into the causes of dry skin.

What causes dry skin?

Dry skin is caused by several factors including genetics, hormones, stress, diet, and environmental conditions. Dry skin can also be triggered by certain medications, such as birth control pills, antidepressants, and antihistamines. So if your dry skin issues have come on recently after changing your diet, medication or products your using around the house, it might be helpful to try and eliminate them or speak with your doctor.

It’s important to understand that dry skin is different from eczema, which is characterized by inflammation and itching. While both types of skin problems can affect the same areas of the body, dry skin usually affects the outer layer while eczema tends to be concentrated on the deeper layers.

There are three main types of dry skin: xerosis cutis, seborrheic dermatitis, and psoriasis. Xerosis cutis occurs due to lack of moisture in the epidermis, while seborrheic dermititis is linked to overproduction of oil in the scalp. Psoriasis is associated with genetic predisposition and triggers such as stress, infections, and allergies.

While dry skin can be treated with moisturisers, supplements, topical steroids, and prescription creams, it’s important to consult a doctor if symptoms persist. Some cases of dry skin can lead to other health complications, so it’s vital to seek medical attention if necessary.

How do I get rid of dry skin?

Fortunately, there are plenty of home based habits that can use to help alleviate dry skin symptoms.

Here are five effective methods to add into your routine:

1. Drink More Water

Drinking water is essential for keeping your body hydrated and healthy. When you drink enough water, your skin will feel softer and smoother. Try to drink the recommended amount each day.

2. Eat Foods Rich in Vitamin C

Vitamin C is an antioxidant that fights against free radicals in the body. Free radicals damage cells and contribute to aging, so eating foods rich in vitamin C can help fight dry skin, wrinkles and other signs of aging. You can also use vitamin C supplements to ensure you are getting enough vitamin C in your diet.

3. Use Face Masque

Using a hydrating facial masque can help remove dead skin cells and hydrate the skin . Environ’s Clay Masque is brilliant for this. To hydrate the skin you can keep this masque on for 10 minutes or once used to this routine you can also wear it over night and your skin will feel lovely and smooth in the morning.

4. Exfoliate

Exfoliating regularly helps to remove dead skin cells from the face. The trick when you have dry skin is to be as gentle as possible, before you moisturise you’ll want to make sure that any flaking or dry spots are cleared of debris. To exfoliate the skin you can use a toner or as mentioned above a masque. These will gently exfoliate without being too abrasive to the skin.

Use extra care if you have open wounds or micro-abrasions on the skin as exfoliation can make this worse.

5. Moisturise

Moisturising your skin after cleansing can help prevent the skin losing hydration. Choose a moisturiser that contains alpha hydroxy acids, which help to soften the skin. Moisturisers provide long-lasting hydration and protect your skin from drying out. Look for products labelled “noncomedogenic,” meaning they won’t clog pores.

What does dry skin need?

For dry patches around the mouth, nose and eyes:

These areas can often get the brunt of irritation from dry skin for two main reasons. The skin in these areas is thinner meaning it’s much easier to dehydrate and secondly, we often touch these areas during the day. Make sure that you are extra gentle here, especially during allergy season and the cold months. Use product formulas that are created for the face to help re-hydrate.

For dry skin that itches and feels raw:

An easy solution is to apply aloe vera gel directly to your face. Aloe vera contains anti-inflammatory properties that can relieve itchiness and inflammation caused by dry skin. Use a moisturiser like Environ’s Super Moisturiser to rehydrate the skin. This will help the skin feel more comfortable. Avoid adding perfumed products to your face or body if you are struggling this way.

For cracked lips:

To avoid cracking lips, try applying lip balm regularly. Lip balms contain ingredients like beeswax, shea butter, coconut oil, and cocoa butter that moisturise your lips while keeping them soft and smooth. Avoid products like menthol or salicylic acid which can dry the lips even more.

For chapped hands:

For chapped hands, rub a bit of olive oil into your palms and fingers. Olive oil contains vitamin E, which helps protect against dryness.

Other tips for general dry skin issues: 

• Avoiding harsh chemicals and wearing gloves when working outdoors. Avoiding harsh chemicals means staying away from products containing alcohol, ammonia, bleach, and other irritants. Wearing gloves prevents your hands from absorbing moisture from the air, which can lead to dry skin.
• If you live somewhere with limited humidity, try keeping your home humidified. Humidifiers add moisture to the air, making it easier for the skin to breathe.
• Take off your makeup after a day out. There are a lot of drying products used in the makeup industry that cause your pores to become clogged or simply don’t allow your skin to rehydrate itself. Make sure you are cleansing the makeup from your skin before bed with a cleanser. Try to avoid wipes if you can as they are drying for the skin, can irritate the skin and bad for the environment to boot!

If you suffer from dry skin and need any advice, feel free to reach out to us. Wed love to hear from you and see how we can help. You can visit us in the Ana Harmony salon on the Cookham Road in Maidenhead or give us a call on 01628 298040.