Whether you have naturally dry skin or it’s the environmental aggressors that are making your skin flaky and parched, dry skin can be extremely annoying. It is extremely uncomfortable and itchy. Your skin seems to be constantly thirsty, and no amount of moisturiser is enough to actually combat how flaky your skin appears.
One of the biggest problems with having dry skin is that it is susceptible to showing early signs of ageing. Keeping your skin well-nourished and moisturised is an issue that needs constant effort. Facial dry skin isn’t like dry skin on other parts of the body. The skin on the face tends to be more sensitive and is more often exposed to the elements—the cold weather, wind, and sun —so it needs to be treated with a little extra care.
While dry skin may seem like a really major issue, believe us it is not. Understanding the reasons behind dry skin can go a long way in helping to eliminate the issue. A few lifestyle and skincare changes are all it takes to keep your skin healthy, moisturised and conditioned.
But what exactly causes dry skin?
Usually, dry skin is a cause of a decrease in fatty acids, also known as lipids. These are the things that are responsible for locking in the moisture and keeping the skin soft and supple. But there are other factors that make your skin dry and parched. They are as follows:
- Modify your shower
- Select a gentle cleanser
- Always use a moisturiser
- Fish oil or marine collagen
- Hydrating face masks
- Drink enough water
Weather – A slight change in the weather tends to take a huge toll on your skin. Winter makes your skin extremely dry and parched, thanks to the low temperatures and lower humidity levels.
Hot baths and showers – Who does not love a hot shower after a long tiring day? It seems like the perfect pampering session. But believe us, your skin disagrees. Hot water strips your skin of its natural oils and makes your skin extremely dry.
Frequent swimming – If you are a water baby or a fitness enthusiast, the chance is that you love swimming. But chlorinated water of the swimming pool robs the skin of its moisture and severely damages it.
Harsh soaps and detergents – Who does not love smelling like a garden of flowers each time they step out of the shower, but more often than not, fragrant, harsh soaps, shampoos and other detergents strip moisture from your skin as they are formulated to remove oil and dirt from the skin. This causes further damage to the skin, making it super dry and flaky.
Skin conditions – People with skin conditions such as atopic dermatitis (eczema) or psoriasis are prone to dry skin. If not treated in time, these conditions tend to aggravate and worsen your dry skin concerns.
How to get rid of dry skin?
One of the best ways to reduce dry skin is by slightly tweaking your skincare routine. Other than regularly following a CTM routine, it is important that you use products that are specifically meant for dry skin types. Using products with moisturising ingredients such as avocados, aloe vera and argan oil, will greatly help nourish and moisturise the skin and keep it soft and supple. Other than that, the following lifestyle changes should help you deal with dry skin issues effectively.
Modify your shower
If you are someone who loves a hot water bath but has dry skin, then it is highly recommended that you do your skin a favour and stop taking a hot water shower. Skip hot water showers for lukewarm ones as hot water tends to completely dry out the skin by stripping it of the natural moisture. Also, if you tend to take long showers, then it may be a good idea to reduce your time in the shower. Having a short shower of about 5 to 10 minutes avoids unnecessary exposure to water, which can leave your skin drier than it was before you hopped in the shower.
Select a gentle cleanser
One of the most basic things while taking care of dry skin is to use a cleanser that is extremely gentle on the skin and is free of any sort of harsh chemicals. You can try the Simple Kind To Skin Moisturising Facial Wash that is 100% soap and fragrance free and is extremely gentle on the skin. This face wash cleanses the skin without stripping it of the moisture, leaving it hydrated and conditioned from deep within.
Always use a moisturiser
Using a moisturiser to treat dry skin is a no brainer. It is important to use a moisturiser at least twice a day. Pick a moisturiser that works for your skin and use it regularly, especially after you shower. This is because using a moisturiser on damp skin helps retain moisture for a longer period of time and keeps it soft and supple. For people with severely dry skin, use a moisturiser that is heavier, oil-based and contains ingredients that help keep your skin hydrated. Petrolatum-based products are best for dry or cracked skin.
Natural ways to deal with dry skin
Other than the above mentioned lifestyle changes, there are certain home remedies that will help you deal with dry skin effectively. They are as follows:
Oil
While body lotions work well to heal dry skin, it would be a great idea to use oil as a moisturiser, especially if you have extremely dry and parched skin. Apart from being natural and having almost no side effects, oil is a super convenient moisturiser for dry skin types as it sinks deep into your skin to nourish it from inside out. You can pick any organic carrier oils such as the almond, jojoba, olive, rosehip or coconut. The best part is that these oils are equally safe for the face as well as the entire body. Additionally, these oils also help reduce wrinkles, fine lines and improve the overall texture of your skin.
Fish oil or marine collagen
If you’re okay with a little bit of smell, then fish oil and marine collagen are super effective natural moisturisers to treat dry and flaky skin. These products can definitely be used on their own, but when combined together, they create magic for dry skin. Fish oil is chock full of omegas that help keep your skin plump and hydrated. Marine collagen is a fibrous protein extracted from the skin of a fish and adding this to the fish oil slows the effects of aging and reverses environmental damage including dry skin.
Hydrating face masks
If you have dry skin, indulging your skin in DIY hydrating masks on weekends is a great idea. This is a super effective, yet fun way to combat to dry skin. You can use fresh, hydrating ingredients that will moisturise your skin. You can purchase face masks that have been specially formulated with natural and skin nourishing ingredients to combat dry skin issues. Pick a mask with ingredients like honey, sea kelp, oil, or berries, as they're all natural ways to treat the condition.
Drink enough water
Doing something as simple as drinking water is a great way to treat dry skin woes. As almost 60 percent of our bodies are made of water, it is really important to drink enough water to improve the health of your skin. Water helps flush out toxins from your body, so any nasties hiding inside that might be contributing to your dry skin are likely to get washed out with enough hydration. Water is also your skin's best friend, so drink up!
Written by Urvi Dalal on Jun 07, 2019
Writer, avid reader and hardcore beauty enthusiast is the best way to describe Urvi Dalal. With over 5 years of writing experience in the beauty industry, you can trust her to have the latest skin, hair and makeup tidbits on her fingertips. In her time working as a beauty writer, she has had the opportunity to interact and work closely with a string of dermatologists, makeup artists and hairstylists. All that knowledge exchange, coupled with her flair and love for writing make it possible for her to bring you some authentic yet fun beauty content. When Urvi isn’t working, you’d usually catch her curled up with a big, fat book, drinking a cup of tea or practising her makeup skills; there is no in-between!