Why is My Skin So Dry? | Improve Dry Skin Lifestyle Hacks and Choosing the Right Products
Dry skin can be a somewhat serious condition as it can point to underlying health conditions in the skin which can cause even more skin problems if untreated.
https://www.healthline.com/health/moisturizer-for-dry-skin#10-moisturizers-for-dry-skin
Frequently troubled by red and dry skin? Do you often feel itchy?
Even if the skin is oily, it can still be dehydrated. If this sounds crazy, keep reading and things will make a lot more sense as you start to understand is what makes the skin dry!
The main reason your skin becomes dehydrated is damage to the skin’s natural barrier. Stimulated by external and internal factors, like our emotions, a compromised barrier cannot regulate normal moisture level, which exacerbates allergic reactions - often causing the skin to become dry, peeling or scaly. Dehydrated skin, as the name implies, lacks water content, but may still produce oil. In fact, it’s probably over-producing oil to compensate for the lack of moisture in the skin! When the oil-water ratio in skin is imbalance due to water loss, the body sends a protective signal to trigger an abundance of oil secretion - skin in this state can feel fairly oily.
In other words, various skin conditions can destroy the skin’s natural barrier function!
If the condition is severe, please consult a dermatologist.
What conditions are likely to cause dry skin?
Aging
As time passes aging will become more noticeable in the skin after 25 years as pores naturally produce less oil. When there is not enough oil to stop water-loss from the skin, the oil and water ratio is imbalanced - destroying the skin's natural barrier function, and becoming vulnerable to conditions linked to Dry skin.
Winter
Cold and dry climates will make the skin dry and cracked. Some people even find it painful when water touches the skin. In severe cases, small wounds are caused by the dry, cracked skin.
Allergies or Other Skin Disorders
People with sensitive skin or skin allergies have a little more to consider when treating their dry skin. I elaborate a little more in my article Caring for Allergy Prone and Sensitive Skin. Genetics can also be a factor in many conditions like eczema or allergic contact dermatitis.
★ Dermatitis, also known as eczema, is a group of diseases that result in inflammation of the skin.
Contact dermatitis - The skin responds to things it touches and causes local inflammation when exposed to irritants like chemicals or allergens .
Seborrheic dermatitis - The exact cause of seborrheic dermatitis is unknown, although genes and hormones play a role. Microorganisms such as yeast, that live on the skin naturally can also contribute to seborrheic dermatitis.
Atopic dermatitis (AD) - Atopic dermatitis is also called atopic eczema . This is a chronic skin disorder with recurring itchy, red, swollen, and cracked skin. Some people only show symptoms in infancy, while some may display symptoms until they reach adulthood.
Hot Water
Excessively hot water and bathing with harsh soap often leads to the depletion of the Natural Moisturizing Factor essential to maintaining the skin’s natural barrier. Hot water is also known to strip the natural oils from the skin.
Chemicals
The most iconic thing that makes the skin dry is alcohol. Hence some skin care products only add alcohol to products for oily skin or large pores. If your skin is very dry avoid all alcohol-based skin care products!
How to prevent and relieve dry skin easily?
Drink more water!
Take a Bath
In addition to not using excessively hot water when bathing, choose a moisturizing bath milk or soap. Finish with moisturizing skin care products after. If the skin is very dry, avoid long baths and cut down showers to every two days - stay within ten minutes. Avoid excessive scrubbing on broken or itchy skin. Additionally, choose a towel made of soft materials to pat yourself dry to reduce skin irritation.
Use a Humidifier at Home
When you sleep, you can use a humidifier. Many of us believe that humidifiers are only beneficial during the winter months when the air is dry and frigid, but during the spring and summer months mold and pollen are everywhere and can make your allergies start to act up! A room humidifier can help moisturize dry nasal passages to fight these discomforts. Plus if you use the air conditioner, your nasal passages will also dry out, which is why a room humidifier during summer will greatly help in making your living spaces more comfortable.
Drinking Water and Eating
Properly replenish moisture in the body to keep the moisture in the basal layer of the skin about 70%. Avoid tobacco and alcohol. Try to avoid trigger foods such as spicy or inflammatory foods. Foods containing preservatives and artificial ingredients may also exacerbate symptoms.
Skin Contact
Choose natural material for clothes whenever possible. Styles that are cotton and loose are ideal. Choose to be carpet-free if you can and always remember to change the sheets frequently! In winter, you choose products made of woollen materials.
Use the Right Care Products
Season and region
Because of the different seasons and regions, the skin's response is also different. Generally speaking, winter is drier than summer. In summer, take care to not over-maintain skin. In winter, emphasis should be placed on whether the skin is being hydrated sufficiently.
Moisturizer
There are many kinds functions in a moisturizer. One of them is to form a protective cover on the skin surface to block out irritation and protect the epidermis from damage from cleansers. Another function is to prevent skin disorders. For those with atopic dermatitis or eczema, its essential to select a product with no perfume and no allergens. For more dermatology expertise, check out skin moisturizing | winter dry itching and eczema | What are the moisturizing ingredients?.
Pressure
Reduce stress and keep your body and mind happy.
Sun Protection
Choosing the right diet is very helpful for the skin!
Dry Skin Care?
The maintenance listed in this article are limited to the maintenance of "regular” dry skin. If the dryness is caused by a skin disorder, see a dermatologist for a professional diagnosis, and remember that even if a product is advertised for sensitive skin or simple Ingredients , be sure to try it on your hands first for an allergy test, because everyone's allergic substances are different!
Some key emphasis on good maintenance are: pure ingredients and refraining from excessively rubbing the skin!
Don't be too hard!
★ CeraVe Products
Be gentle with your skin!
CeraVe is an American brand created by dermatologists. CeraVe Moisturizing Cream contains ceramide, lipids (oils) found naturally in skin and are essential in supporting the skin barrier and retaining moisture. It is available if you have psoriasis and eczema, but it is recommended to consult with a dermatologist before using to help the recovery of dermatitis! You can buy it over-the-counter or from designated pharmacies!
★ Avene Avène products
When I went to France last July, it was very, very hot because of a heat wave. My skin was already very sensitive, with these conditions and fatigue from travel, my arms started to react. The French pharmacists gave me Avene's lotion and told me that it can be applied in the morning and evening. After a few days of continuous application, I saw felt amazing relief! For people with muscle sensitive, this is a convenient and natural emergency product! If you want to try Avene products, I recommend Avene Hydrance Optimale Riche moisturizing cream. It belongs to moisturizing family and can help skin lock in moisture, rebalance. Overall a great product to restore and soothing the skin which can be bought at over-the-counter or at designated pharmacies!
★ DaisyCode Lavender Mask
Finally, I must recommend the DaisyCode mask perfect for sensitive situations. When I travel I never leave without a lot of lavender masks! I easily display skin allergies during environment changes and Lavender is my go-to emergency skincare product! After the picosecond laser treatment, the lavender mask always calms the skin effectively. Because of its properties to calm and repair, its perfect for newly injured or sunburned skin!
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