What Causes Dry Skin?
Dry skin is a dermatological condition that is characterized by itchy, scaly skin caused by various reasons. While some people naturally have dry skin, others may develop it as they grow older. The most commonly affected parts of your body are arms, hands, and legs, but any part can develop dry skin.
Understanding Dry Skin
Dry skin is not necessarily a serious condition, but it can be unsightly, uncomfortable, and lead to larger dermatological issues. The most common reason for dry skin is environmental factors such as low humidity, cold weather, and using hot water for baths. The symptoms of dry skin typically occur during winters and depend on your age, health, location, etc. The symptoms of dry skin are usually the following:
The tightness of the skin, especially after a bath
- Itching
- Rough skin
- Peeling, scaling, or flaking
- Ashy, gray skin
- Fine lines or deep cracks that may result in bleeding
- Redness
Causes of dry skin
Dry skin or xerosis is typically caused by environmental factors, but there are other reasons as well.
Potential causes include:
Weather:
Your skin is normally dry during winter months when humidity and temperature levels are low. If you live in arid regions like a desert, then your skin may be dry throughout the year.
Heat:
Fireplaces, central heating, and space heaters reduce humidity in the area causing your skin to become dry.
Harsh soaps:
Most popular soaps, shampoos, and detergents contain ingredients that strip your skin of moisture.
Hot baths:
Long baths or showers using hot water can make your skin very dry. Frequently swimming in chlorinated pools can also cause the same result.
Other conditions:
Dermatological conditions like eczema, psoriasis, or ichthyosis can lead to very dry skin.
How to prevent and treat dry skin?
Since dry skin is typically caused by environmental factors, it is very easy to prevent. Here are some tips and steps you can take to prevent and treat dry skin.
Use moisturizing creams and lotions whenever necessary.
A skincare professional can point you in the right direction to lotions or cream best suited for your skin. Or you can find the perfect product for your skincare needs right here.
Keep your skin moisturized by applying lotion at least twice a day.
Check Out This Article On Daily AM/PM Routines.
You can also apply coconut oil or olive oil on your skin before a bath to keep your skin moisturized.
Limit your showers or baths to 10 minutes. Use warm and not hot water for bathing, especially during cold months. Avoid bathing more than once a day.
Replace popular brands of soap with ones that are known to be gentle and moisturizing. Shower gels and gentle cleansers will not strip your skin of necessary oils.
Wear rubber gloves when washing dishes or clothes using harsh detergents.
Use jackets, sweaters, and scarves to cover as much of your body as possible during dry winter months. Wear a thin coat during warm months to prevent sun exposure.
Drink lots of water every day. The key to hydrating your skin lies in your diet, so include juicy fruits in your meals whenever possible. Eat plenty of nuts like almonds and walnuts which contain essential oils and vitamin E for soft, supple skin.
Avoid using skin products such as toners and hand sanitizers that contain drying agents like alcohol.
Speak to your esthetician for more details on how to prevent dry skin and what you can use to treat it. For our #1 Recommendation to Treat Dry Skin Click Here
