Dry Skin Help
Dry skin causes itchiness, flakiness and itching, so it’s important to moisturize daily. Avoid irritants that can cause dryness, such as perfumes, harsh soaps, air fresheners and chemical-based hand sanitizers.
Develop other skin-friendly bathing habits such as taking short lukewarm showers and using mild soaps. Drink lots of water to help keep skin hydrated and see a dermatologist if home treatments don’t work.
1. Moisturize
Moisturizers rehydrate skin and help lock in moisture, which is especially important for dry skin sufferers. This can reduce the amount of dryness and flaking that happens, and can help with other conditions that are associated with it like eczema.
It’s a good idea to moisturize the skin three or four times throughout the day, particularly after bathing and before bed. The best type of moisturizer for dry skin is ointments (or oils) and creams, as they tend to have a thicker consistency and provide more hydration than lotions. Petroleum jelly, for example, is an excellent skin lubricant and can be found in products like Vaseline. Creams that contain a higher percentage of oil and petroleum jelly are more effective than lighter creams, but they may feel greasy or sticky on the skin.
Dry skin can cause itchy or scaly patches and is often accompanied by cracking, redness and a feeling of tightness. Severe cases of dryness can also lead to infection, because the cracked skin can allow bacteria in and irritants out. To prevent these complications, it’s a good idea to use moisturizers that are non-comedogenic and free of ingredients that can cause dehydration or irritation.
Some of the best moisturizers for dry skin include hyaluronic acid and ceramides. These ingredients work to restore the lipid barrier that helps keep moisture in and irritants out.
Another way to keep skin hydrated is by using a humidifier in the winter. This can be beneficial in almost any climate, but is especially helpful in areas with cold winter air.
It’s also a good idea to avoid harsh soaps or skin care products, as these can strip the protective layer of the skin. In addition, overwashing can also contribute to dry skin. It’s a good idea to wash with gentle soap or a cleanser that is fragrance-free and dye-free. After washing, pat or blot the skin dry instead of rubbing it, and immediately apply a moisturizing product. This will help to plug the tiny cracks that can develop in the skin when it is extremely dry.
2. Wear Sunscreen
If you want to prevent summertime dry skin, use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with moisturizing ingredients like ceramides and hyaluronic acid. You can find them at drugstores and other beauty outlets, and they’re affordable.
Using sunscreen daily helps keep your skin looking youthful and healthy. It also protects you from sunburn and other damage to your face, body and hands. Sunscreen should be applied at least 30 minutes before going outside, and reapplied frequently, especially after sweating or swimming.
Wearing clothing that covers as much of your body as possible can also help with dry skin, including a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses. This is especially important if you live in a cold climate where the air can be extremely dry. In the winter, consider wearing mittens and scarves, and avoid long, hot showers or baths, which can also be drying to the skin.
Another common cause of dry skin is harsh detergents and soaps, which strip the skin of its natural oils. This can lead to itchy, flaky and scaly patches of skin. You may notice this on the arms, legs, groin, knees and elbows, or in other places where the skin is thicker, such as the face, neck or ears. If you have dry, scaly skin on the scalp, it might look and feel like dandruff. In some cases, scaly patches of skin can lead to seborrheic dermatitis, which is sometimes called cradle cap in infants.
When you do wash your face, try to limit how often and for how long you scrub. Instead, opt for a gentle cleanser that doesn’t contain any harsh surfactants (soap bubbles). You can also try a gentle exfoliator, such as alpha-hydroxy acids, which are natural fruit enzymes. They’re found in fruits like pineapple, papaya and figs, and they can help remove dead skin cells and smooth the appearance of your complexion.
If you have truly dry skin, it’s important to see your doctor. It could be due to an underlying medical condition, such as diabetes or psoriasis. It’s also possible that it’s a side effect of medication you take, such as corticosteroids.
3. Change Your Routine
The best dry skin help comes from a solid routine that you follow daily. Begin with a gentle facial cleanser that contains hydrating ingredients. Then apply a lightweight serum with a high concentration of hyaluronic acid that can help plump the skin and add moisture. After that, apply a moisturizer with SPF. If you use sunscreen, make sure to apply it every hour or so, as sunlight can dehydrate the skin. Finally, a body lotion that contains hyaluronic acid and shea butter will be a good choice.
Drink a glass of water when you wake up. This will hydrate the skin before you start your day. You may also want to cut back on hot showers, as they can strip the skin of its natural oils. You can use a humidifier to increase the moisture in your home, especially if you have central heating.
If you have severe dryness, your skin can develop tiny cracks that are called fissures. These can be very itchy and if not treated, can become open cracks that can bleed.
Some factors that can cause dry skin include aging, genetics and health conditions. These can include diabetes, eczema, allergies and kidney disease. It can also be caused by cold or dry climates and using harsh soaps to wash your face and hands. You can also get dry skin if you work in certain professions that require you to wash your hands often, such as healthcare providers and hairstylists.
If you have a lot of dry patches on your skin, talk to your dermatologist about getting prescription creams or ointments. They can also prescribe a topical steroid that can reduce the itching and inflammation associated with this condition. In addition, they can recommend a moisturizer that is specifically formulated for your skin type. The good news is that with the right routine and the right products, you can have soft, smooth, beautiful skin this winter and throughout all of the seasons. You may just need to tweak your routine as the seasons change. You can always find the best beauty products for your skin type at your local pharmacy or online.
4. See Your Doctor
If your dry skin doesn’t improve after a few weeks of tweaking your routine and changing some environmental factors, it might be time to see your doctor. The good news is that in most cases, a dermatologist can ease your symptoms with a few easy steps and prescription-strength cream or ointment.
Your doctor will likely do a physical exam and ask about your medical history. They may also order some tests to see if your dry skin is being caused by a health condition, such as an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism). Often, your doctor will recommend a moisturizing product that’s formulated for your specific needs.
The most common places for dry skin are the arms and legs, but it can occur on any part of your body. People with a family history of eczema or other skin conditions are more prone to developing dry skin, as are those who spend a lot of time in water (swimmers, those who bathe or shower multiple times a day) or live in cold climates. Other factors that contribute to dry skin include your age and genetics, which is why many older adults experience this condition.
When you see your doctor, they will examine your skin and may take a sample to look at under a microscope. This will help them decide if your dry skin is caused by an underlying health condition or if it’s simply a side effect of your medications or the environment.
Your doctor will likely give you suggestions for how to best treat your dry skin, such as avoiding long, hot showers and baths and using a thick moisturizing lotion or ointment on a regular basis. They may also suggest a topical medication to treat severe or persistent dry skin, such as corticosteroids or retinoids. If you have cracked, painful skin, it’s important to see your doctor immediately because these cracks are a portal for germs, which can cause infections. Your doctor can prescribe antibiotic ointments and bandages to keep the area clean and infection-free. They may also recommend heat therapy, such as a dermabrasion procedure, to stimulate the production of natural oils in your skin.
