Almost everyone is aware of how quickly skin can lose moisture in cold or dry conditions. However, there are many more unexpected causes of dry skin, including some seemingly-innocent daily activities.
Unfortunately, pinpointing the cause of your skin’s persistent dryness isn’t always simple. Your skin can occasionally feel as though no quantity of lotion is ever enough, since it always feels tight and flaky. It’s annoying. If this sounds similar, continue reading to learn some unexpected causes of dry skin.
Your shower/bath water is too hot
Although turning up the shower’s water temperature can be tempting, doing so carries a certain amount of risk. Body soap and hot water, combined with excessive heat may soften skin and gradually start to remove its natural protective layers. Your skin is more likely to become dry, red, and itchy if you leave it in hot water for a long time. So, lowering the temperature or taking shorter showers is the best option.
Using harsh soaps and over-washing
Using strong soaps or cleansers can aggravate some people’s skin. The skin’s protecting oils are stripped away by soap and abrasive shower gels, leaving behind dry and scarred skin. Try using fragrance-free products with mild ingredients and few preservatives to prevent your skin from drying out. The same goes for your facial cleanser.
Another nasty thing most people tend to do is over-washing. Ever since the pandemic, we frequently wash our hands and take multiple showers per day just to stay protected from the virus. And we choose hand sanitizers with high alcohol content as well as tougher antibacterial solutions. The fact is, harsher products don’t always produce better and more efficient outcomes. In actuality, it will just result in the skin losing moisture and drying out. Choose gentler, yet still effective, choices to prevent this, and don’t forget to moisturize afterwards.
Toweling roughly
After taking a shower or bath, dry off carefully. It’s really nothing complicated. After a shower, rigorously toweling off can actually result in dry skin. Opt for towels made of softer, less abrasive materials while making your selection. You don’t have to dry yourself harshly. A gentle pat on your skin will do.
Your room is not ‘moist’
Having your fan or air conditioner on in really hot weather might dehydrate your skin. Try setting up bowls of water close to your windows or radiators. Purchase a humidifier instead if you want your skin to benefit from the moisture that is returned to the air. A lot of us spend seven to eight hours a night sleeping, especially in the bedroom. Hence, it’s important to keep your room slightly moist to prevent your skin from drying.
You’ve ditched fruits
I guess it all makes sense now. Eating fruits and vegetables does not only help your body internally, but it benefits your skin as well. Basically, the mechanisms linked to skin ageing are influenced by the foods we eat. These advantages will show up in terms of overall health, as well as in the state of the skin. For instance, oranges make your skin plump and radiant, watermelon keeps your skin hydrated, and avocado has anti-inflammatory properties. So, start packing some fruits and veggies!
Heavy or scented moisturizer
You can be figuratively hiding the issue if you meticulously layer your body and face cream in the belief that you are treating the problem. Many of us apply the strongest moisturizer we can find in response to dry skin. This can cause more damage. Thick, oily moisturizers can change the skin’s normal ability to hydrate itself and compromise the barrier function of the skin. Because of an addiction to moisturizer, the skin loses its ability to control itself. Make sure the moisturizer you choose is light and thin so that it can absorb into your skin easily.
Not drinking enough water
Pretty obvious one, but many of us struggle to make sure we’re getting enough water. You’ve heard it before: eight glasses each day. This is water, not tea, coffee, juice, or alcohol, which actually cause the body to become dehydrated, requiring us to drink more water each day to maintain hydration. So begin drinking.
Skipping SPF
It doesn’t matter what time of year it is, or if you’re always staying indoors; if there’s light outside, the sun is doing its thing. And if the sun is out, it’ll expose your skin to UVA radiation, which it requires protection from. So, sorry but not sorry, SPF is a year-round need.
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