Everything About Dry Skin Care

Dry skin (xerosis) is a common condition with many causes. It occurs when the skin does not hold enough moisture. This; It can occur as a result of frequent and hot showers, the use of harsh soap, aging, or some medical condition. For those in colder climates, it can be caused by cold and dry winter weather.

How to Care for Dry Skin?

Part 1: Maintaining Humidity

1. Preserve your natural oils.

Your body produces natural oils that protect your skin and prevent it from drying out. However, there are many factors that destroy these natural oils throughout the day. The biggest threat to your skin’s natural guard is your bath routine. Soaps that remove oil from your skin and very hot water put your skin at risk. Reduce the temperature of your shower as much as you can withstand, and only use soaps with moisturizing ingredients or special for sensitive skin.

You should also make sure you don’t shower too often or for too long. Both can greatly destroy your natural oils. Do not shower for 10-15 minutes at most and more than once a day.

2. Exfoliate your skin.

You’ve probably heard that dry skin needs peeling. Peeling; It removes dead skin, prevents infection and ensures that moisturizing products are absorbed properly. This is a good practice, but you have to do this carefully. Once or twice a week is sufficient, especially for sensitive areas such as the face. You should also not use harsh peels such as loofah or pumice. One of the reasons why loofah and the like are problematic is that they easily harbor germs and bacteria. Instead, you can apply a gentler chemical peel or a natural peeling that you will prepare at home.

3. Dry your skin carefully.

Be careful while drying your skin. Vigorous scrubbing with a towel will not only irritate your skin, but can also remove moisture and oil from your skin. This can cause dryness or worsen an existing problem. Instead of; Gently pat your skin dry with a soft clean towel or cloth.

4. Apply moisturizer.

After washing or soaking your skin, you should always apply a moisturizer to restore the natural oils you’ve extracted and lock in moisture.

Lanolin cream is one of the best products to keep your skin and skin hydrated. It is a natural substance produced by animals to protect their skin. However, lanolin can be a bit heavy for your face. It should be used occasionally or in cases of skin problems. Under normal circumstances, you should use a lighter product that is oil-free, designed not to clog pores or cause other skin problems.

Moisturizers that may be beneficial for dry skin include:

Ceramides. Ceramides help the skin retain and lock in moisture and soothe dry skin.

Dimethicone and glycerin. These attract moisture into the skin and hold it there.

Hyaluronic acid. Like ceramides, hyaluronic acid helps the skin retain moisture.

Lanolin, mineral oil and petroleum jelly. These keep moisture absorbed in the skin during bathing.

Section 2: Protecting the Skin

1. Moisturize your skin regularly.

It’s important to establish a routine if you want to have lasting results. For this, you will need to moisturize your skin regularly and take care of your skin. Be persistent and patient.

2. Protect your skin from cold.

The decrease in temperature causes the moisture in the air to collapse. The air then absorbs as much moisture from your skin as it can, causing dryness. That’s why you’re probably overwhelmed by cold weather. To lock in the moisture you have, you should moisten your skin with appropriate creams and wear warm clothing. For example, wear gloves to protect your hands and socks to protect your feet.

3. Protect your skin from the sun.

The sun can irritate your skin and cause damage. This causes a number of skin problems. Also, too much sun exposure increases your risk of getting skin cancer. It is important to protect your skin against the harmful rays of the sun in all seasons, at home or outside. For this, opt for a broad spectrum sunscreen (UVA / UVB).

4. Use a mild soap.

Some soaps, especially soaps with high levels of synthetic active ingredients, can damage your skin, causing damage and dryness. To prevent dryness, choose a mild, unscented soap suitable for your skin.

5. Check whether the water in your home is hard.

Hard water, or water with high concentrations of calcium, is common worldwide. This excess calcium can leave some calcium on your skin, which can irritate and dry your skin. If your water is hard, you can try the purification method.

6. Use unscented laundry detergents and avoid softeners.

Make sure your detergent is hypoallergenic. Also, avoid wearing clothing (wool, etc.) that can irritate the skin. Choose cotton clothes.

Section 3: Protecting Health

1. Drink more water.

Dehydration (not being able to meet the amount of fluid needed for the body to function) can cause problems with dry skin. Therefore, be sure to drink plenty of water. However, how much is the right amount varies from person to person. The eight recommended glasses are a starting point, but you may need more.

2. Get the right nutrients in your diet.

Your skin, like many other parts of your body, needs some nutrients more than others to look its best. Vitamin A, vitamin E and omega-3 fatty acids are extremely important for your skin. Foods such as salmon, anchovies, sardines, olive oil, almonds, cabbage, carrots, blueberries, tomatoes can contribute to your diet for radiant skin.

3. Fight obesity, diabetes and similar conditions that can cause dry skin.

It has been proven by scientific studies that dry skin can be caused by excess weight and obesity. If you find that other methods do not help you maintain healthy skin, you should consider whether your weight and general health is the root cause of your skin problem.

4. Consult your doctor.

There may be other health problems underlying dryness. You should talk to your doctor and find out if any of these problems are affecting you. For example; Eczema, psoriasis is one of the common skin problems that cause dry skin. And if you have this kind of problem it requires a different treatment than moisturizing.

As with most medical problems, it’s a good idea to talk to your doctor if you have questions or concerns. Dry skin is a problem that should not be ignored. Severe dry skin causes small and large cracks in the skin, which puts you at risk of serious infection. Dry skin can also be associated with more serious health problems such as diabetes, as mentioned above. For these reasons, if you find that the measures listed above do not help, you should not ignore the problem and consult your doctor.

Summing Up

It is important that you protect your skin. For your skin, which is the first line of defense against bacteria and viruses, you should include a suitable moisturizer in your daily routine.

In fact, protecting the skin barrier is one of the best ways to prevent skin dryness. You should use a moisturizing sunscreen every day to prevent skin damage and dryness.

When exposed to high temperatures or conditions that irritate the skin, wear loose cotton clothing that draws sweat away from the skin.

Keep in mind that extremely dry skin can be an indication of a more serious condition. If the methods you use at home do not help, contact your doctor.