T
he only flakes most of us would gladly embrace are snowflakes. Never on the list would you see any beauty-centric individual cozying up with flaky skin. After lovingly promenading with winter, it’s no surprise that arid skin season is now on the menu. Having dry skin during the chilly season isn’t out-of-the-ordinary. While weather plays a major role in skin changes, there are other factors that equally contribute to parched skin.
Dry skin is a common condition where the skin appears rough, flaky, and scaly. The main cause is a lack of moisture. This can be uncomfortable and lead to itching, cracking, and infections if left untreated. When the skin does not retain enough moisture, it results in flakiness, tightness, and discomfort. Various factors like weather, age, genetics, and skin type are also contributing factors.
What causes dry skin?
When the air around you lacks moisture, it can strip the skin of its natural oils and lead to dryness. Aging can also cause the skin to become parched, as it loses its ability to retain moisture. Certain skin types are also naturally prone to dryness. Additionally, factors such as wind, sun, and harsh soaps can also contribute to dry skin.
Skincare requires patience. There are few products or services that offer instant solutions. If you have tried various treatments to address dry skin, but ended up disappointed, keep in mind it may take time to find the right solution for you.
Check out 5 basic tips to effectively combat dry skin…
#1. Boost hydration
This process balances water content in the skin cells and tissues, which helps maintain the skin’s plumpness and elasticity. For better-looking skin, there’s a need to hydrate from the inside out. Simply put, this is the practice of drinking adequate water and consuming foods with high water content. This means that in addition to applying topical skincare products, you also need to pay attention to what you eat and drink to keep your skin healthy and hydrated.
Examples of high-water-content foods are fruits, vegetables, and soups. These foods not only hydrate the body, but also provide essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants important for skin health. Additionally, certain foods, such as fatty fish, nuts, and seeds, are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids that help keep skin supple and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Topically, you can use skincare products formulated with hydrating ingredients such as glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and aloe vera to boost hydration to the skin. Regularly using these products can keep your skin looking healthy and hydrated.
#2. Stay moisturized
To combat dry skin, protect the skin by strengthening its natural barrier function. The skin’s barrier function is essential in retaining moisture and preventing water loss. When the skin is dehydrated, it becomes vulnerable to damage and is less effective in resisting external factors such as pollutants, UV radiation, and harmful bacteria.
Moisturizers work by providing hydration to the skin in two ways:
Humectants: These ingredients attract water from the environment or deeper layers of the skin and hold it on the surface of the skin. Examples include Alpha hydroxy acid, aloe vera, and Salicylic acid.
Occlusives: These ingredients form a physical barrier on the surface of the skin to prevent water from evaporating. Examples include petroleum jelly, shea butter, and dimethicone.
Some moisturizers also contain ingredients that can help improve the skin’s barrier function. For example, ceramides are lipids (fats) that naturally occur in the skin and help reinforce the skin’s barrier. By restoring the skin’s natural barrier, moisturizers protect the skin from environmental damage, irritation, and infection.
#3. Avoid hot showers
Hot showers may appear calming, but can strip the skin of its natural oils. This jolly hot water will likely cause dryness and irritation. Prolonged exposure to hot water can also cause the skin to become red and sensitive, and worsen pre-existing skin conditions, such as eczema.
Did you also know that hot showers can cause broken blood vessels? This might be the cause of those red spots and increased sensitivity you’ve experienced. It’s recommended to use warm or lukewarm water and limit shower time to 5-10 minutes. There’s nothing a sizzling hot bath can do that a warm bath won’t achieve.
#4. Exfoliate regularly
Exfoliation removes dead skin cells from the surface of the skin. This reveals fresh and new skin cells underneath. This technique can improve skin texture and make it look brighter, smoother, and even-toned. Additionally, it unclogs pores, removing dirt and oil build-up and bacteria, which can lead to breakouts.
Exfoliating also improves circulation, promoting healthy blood flow to the skin and providing it with the necessary oxygen and nutrients to stay healthy. By stimulating cell renewal, exfoliation keeps skin looking youthful and radiant. It helps skincare products penetrate deeper into the skin, making them work effectively. It is important to remember that exfoliation should be done in moderation, as over-exfoliation can strip the skin of its natural oils and cause irritation. The bi-weekly application of this technique is your best bet.
#5. Get adequate sleep
During sleep, cell repair and regeneration are increased in the body. This boosts your health and is one of the secrets to glowing skin. If you want to combat dry skin, never haggle with your beauty sleep. Sleep reduces inflammation, which can lead to various skin problems, including acne, redness, and puffiness. Because a lack of sleep can dehydrate the skin and exacerbate fine lines and wrinkles, always sleep easy
Sleep also boosts collagen production, which is important for maintaining the skin’s elasticity and firmness. Adequate sleep also enhances skin complexion and texture by reducing dark circles and providing a rested and refreshed appearance.
By incorporating these recommendations into your routine, you will experience a revitalization of your skin’s health and appearance. The improvement will likely be noticeable and significant.
Featured image: @leyla.stefani/Instagram
For the latest in fashion, lifestyle, and culture, follow us on Instagram @StyleRave_
This is a Style Rave original content exclusively created for our readers. If reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached, or otherwise used by any other publishing house or blogs, such use should provide a direct link to this source article. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.
—Read also
