No one wants to have dry skin. However, multiple factors can cause dry skin, such as the products you use. For some, it could be because of an underlying illness. Your environment can also contribute to the drying of your skin.
Regardless of the cause, there are ways to retain skin moisture. While there are countless methods you can choose to apply, you can do some of them in the comfort of your home.
1. Apply Hydrating Face Oil
One of the main reasons people have dry skin is the lack of oil production. Without oils, your skin will become flaky and dry due to the occurrence of transepidermal water loss. This is when water evaporates from your skin.
As a solution, you can apply a hydrating face oil. Applying this generously to your skin helps in restoring and maintaining skin moisture.
However, different oils work for different people depending on their skin condition. You may want to consider the size of the fatty acid molecules. The smaller the molecules, the easier it is to get into your skin. As a result, they can help repair the barrier that causes dry skin.
2. Use A Gentle Cleanser
Another method is to use a mild cleanser instead of fragrant soaps. Unlike fragrant soaps that contain chemicals, gentle cleansers won’t irritate your skin.
Moreover, some fragrant soaps seep out the moisture from your skin. This is why your skin becomes flaky and sometimes itchy.
When looking for a cleanser, always check the ingredients first. This way, you can rest assured that the product doesn’t contain any harmful chemicals.
Keep in mind that chemicals like parabens, diethanolamine (DEA), monoethanolamine (MEA) are just some of the chemicals that can irritate your skin.
3. Apply Moisturizers Immediately After Bathing
Skipping the application of moisturizers after bathing is not a good practice. You have to apply moisturizers to make your skin soft and supple after taking a bath. But of course, you have to use a towel to dry yourself first.
While there are ingredients you have to avoid, some are perfect for retaining your skin’s moisture. Some of which are petrolatum, glycerin, lactic acid, and urea. All of these should be in your daily moisturizer.
4. Do Not Bathe With Hot Water
While taking a hot bath is relaxing, it may cause your skin to dry. Instead of taking a hot bath, use lukewarm water.
By using warm water, you’re helping your skin to keep its natural moisture. More so, excessive bathing is not good for your skin. It’s best to take a bath for not more than 10 minutes, especially if you bathe daily.
5. Keep Temperature Moderate
The temperature in your house or your office can contribute to the drying of your skin. If it’s too high, you may lose skin moisture when exposed for a long time. A quick fix is to set the thermostat at a moderate level.
You can also use a humidifier if you think your house lacks moisture. This will lessen your chances of getting dry and flaky skin.
6. Exfoliate
Most importantly, don’t forget to exfoliate, as it helps remove the dead skin cells from your body. When you remove dead cells, you also rejuvenate your skin.
Exfoliating is essential especially if you have flaky skin. Because no matter the kind and amount of moisturizing products you use, it will not be as effective if it can’t penetrate deeply into your skin due to flaky skin.
Moreover, exfoliation is also helpful to prevent acne breakouts during summer. Since exfoliation treats clogged pores, it consequently helps in preventing acne or any skin problems.
However, there’s a difference in how frequently you should exfoliate in the summer and winter. During winter, you can exfoliate more often. On the other hand, you shouldn’t overdo it during summer.
Furthermore, the type of exfoliating products you also use matters. Using chemical exfoliants is recommended to make your skin smooth and irritant-free.
Conclusion
Although getting dry skin is quite a normal occurrence, you can definitely prevent such a condition. You wouldn’t want to get dry skin because not only does it look flaky, but it can also be itchy. While drinking water may be one of the many ways to combat dry skin, skincare is also essential. If you don’t use skincare products such as moisturizers, you may want to start now.
Your older self will thank you because not only are you keeping your skin hydrated, but you’re also preventing premature skin aging. If you don’t want to spend so much on expensive skin treatment, you may want to start keeping your skin hydrated with the tips above.
