Our skin is the only skin we get. Although our skin sloughs off dead layers, it still needs to be treated well to last our lifetime. We all want our skin to look as healthy and youthful as possible. There are some things you can do to improve your skin’s health over time.
Dry Skin Causes
There are several factors that can lead to dry skin. There could be a skin condition like psoriasis or eczema that leads you to have dry skin. There can also be cold, winter air that is causing your skin to be dry. Frequent bathing and high temperature showers can cause your skin to dry out faster than usual. Harsh soaps can also be a reason for dry skin. Aging is also one reason for skin to become dry, because we lose moisture as we age.
Types of Moisturizers
There are different types of moisturizers available to seal in the moisture in your skin and keep it hydrated. Humectants are substances that attract moisture. They include ceramides, glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and sorbitol. Occlusives seal the moisture into the skin. These types of moisturizers include petroleum jelly, silicone and lanolin. Emollients contain oil, water, and an emulsifier that keeps the two from separating. Examples are linoleic and lauric acids. In general, the thicker and greasier a product, the better it will moisturize. Moisturizing oils are best applied when you are wet and just exiting the shower. Lotions have water, so you can apply these throughout the day.
Tips
Use a humidifier in the winter to help replace moisture into the air that was depleted due to heat in the atmosphere. Minimize the use of clothing that has fabric that is irritating to the skin like wool, acrylic, and even lace. Minimize the length of your shower to 5 to 10 minutes to ensure that you are not drying out your skin. If you bathe longer than that or more frequently, you will lose the natural oils that keep your skin hydrated. Avoiding fabric softeners is also a way to minimize skin irritation and drying out of the skin.
Don’t Scratch
When your skin is dry, it is usually itchy. Please refrain from scratching your skin too much, as it will damage the skin and also cause it to be even drier. If it is itchy, try and moisturize and even consider a cool ice pack to place on the irritated area. Applying an oil after the shower can keep it from becoming too dry.
Specialize
Make sure to pay special attention to critical areas on your body. Your face should be moisturized heavily, as it is in the sun and air all the time. You should consider a serum to ultra-moisturize your skin while you sleep. You should also invest in some moisturizer for around the eyes that keeps the sensitive skin hydrated and less wrinkly over time. Consider manuka honey in your face care, because it provides instant moisture to your face and it also locks in moisture as well.