Many people have dry skin. Dry skin is described not having the suitable amount of water in the epidermis layer of the skin. Dry skin equally affects both males and females with older individuals being more prone to the condition.
As we know, different skin types require different care and a suitable skin care routine is recommended. Getting into the habit of a daily skin care routine is an effective way to rejuvenate and maintain healthy skin. While genetics play a large part in determining our skin type, there are also a number of lifestyle and environmental factors that can contribute to common skin complaints, including dry skin.
Dry skin can affect all parts of the body, but most commonly affects the face, abdomen, hands, arms, lower leg, soles, and ankles. Depending on the cause, often dry skin is temporary and will only last a couple of days to a few weeks. However, many people naturally have dry skin. Those experiencing severe dry skin may have a long-lasting condition which is why it’s important to start a skin care routine, specifically formulated to treat dry skin.
Symptoms
The number one symptom of dry skin is itching. If you have dry skin, you will have red, dry patches that are always itchy. In severe cases, there may be fissures and cracks in the skin. While it may seem soothing to itch your dry skin, unfortunately this can make itching worse. The itch-scratch cycle is a damaging one - your skin is itchy, you scratch it, the itching worsens.
Other common symptoms of dry skin can include tightening of the skin after bathing, showering or swimming, rough skin, peeling or flaking skin, deep cracked skin which may even bleed.
Causes
Dry skin may be caused by external and internal factors.
External factors
Changes in the weather may cause dry skin in some people. In particular, many people experience dry skin when there is low humidity and cold temperatures. This means during winter we need to take extra special care of our skin to ensure it retains moisture and stays hydrated.
While taking a shower increases water in the skin, the evaporation of water that occurs afterwards may result in drying of the skin. If you feel your skin tightening after a shower, chances are too much natural oil has been removed from your skin causing it to be dry. This is why it’s so important to moisturise your body after a shower, to re-hydrate your skin.
Many household products can also cause dry skin. Cleaning products are often filled with chemicals that can dry out your skin. Some soaps can also cause dry skin, as they remove some of the natural oil from the skin. The more frequently you use harsh soaps, the more oil gets removed from your skin and dries out your skin.
Some medications may cause dry skin. Dry skin is a common side effect of drugs taken for high cholesterol, high blood pressure, acne, and allergies. If you experience dry skin after taking these medications, you’ll need to take special care of your skin.
Internal factors
Internal factors may include genetics, age, family history, health and medical conditions.
Many people are born with dry skin. This can often be managed by the right skin care routine, but it’s common to experience periods where symptoms worsen from time to time.
There are a number of medical conditions that can also cause dry skin. People who experience skin conditions such as eczema and dermatitis, and even people with thyroid problems may be prone to dry skin.
Treatment
When left untreated, dry skin can appear dull and lifeless. While maintaining a skin care routine for dry skin, it’s important to be aware of the products you are using. Using the incorrect products or ingredients could be causing more damage than good. Thankfully, there are a range of products and nourishing ingredients that are great for treating and managing dry skin. Follow our tips below for our recommended tips for dry sensitive skin.
Cleanse
When it comes to dry skin, cleansing once every day is enough to get rid of the accumulated dirt. A dry, sensitive skin cleanser can clean the skin without causing irritation and stripping off the moisture. We recommend using a creamy cleanser that is soap-free and fragrance-free if your skin is dry and sensitive. Use it before going to bed, wash your face with the cleanser thoroughly and rinse with cool water. Incorporating this into your routine will help to keep the skin clean.
Moisturise
For dry skin, we suggest using a facial moisturiser up to three times per day. This will keep the skin hydrated, avoid tightness and roughness of the facial skin. Look for moisturisers that contain contain coconut, avocado, sunflower, olive, almond or jasmine essential oils. These natural oils will nourish and hydrate the skin, leaving you glowing. This daily skincare routine will revitalise your complexion, leaving skin looking healthier and younger. Moisturising your skin correctly can help to maintain your skin’s water content by as much as 30%. Skin that is well-moisturised is more elastic, more supple, softer and resilient to oxidation. Overall, it’s healthier!
Exfoliate
Exfoliating is an important part of your skin care routine, especially if you experience dry skin. Exfoliating helps to get rid of dead skin, which allows your skin to absorb moisturising products properly. You don’t need to exfoliate every day, in fact we recommend only exfoliating once or twice a week. If you exfoliate too frequently it can strip your natural oils and cause irritation to the skin. For dry, sensitive skin use a gentle, natural exfoliating product specially formulated for your skin type. For your body, you can also try using a slightly abrasive cleaner like a loofah or a sponge.
Facial mask
Applying a facial mask is another great addition to your skin care routine. A face mask can help to add moisture, rejuvenate the skin and keep it smooth. You can prepare a natural facial mask by mixing one teaspoon of honey, one ripe mashed banana, one tablespoon of yoghurt and one ripe mashed avocado. Apply to your face, wait for it to dry and wash it off with cool water.
Top tips for dry skin
Maintaining your natural oils
Your body produces natural oil that protects the skin and prevents it from drying out. Daily activities can cause the skin to lose some of its natural oils. In particular, some of the things we do while bathing or showering can impact our skin’s hydration.
- Only use soap with moisturiser. A mild soap for sensitive skin is also best
- Always close the bathroom door when showering to keep the moisture in the air
- Use warm water instead of hot water
- Bathe or shower for a maximum of 10 minutes so as not to strip the oils from your skin
- Gently pat dry your skin with a towel
Drying your skin
Always dry your skin carefully. After bathing or showering, gently pat dry your skin with a towel. If possible, incorporate air drying as part of your skincare routine for dry skin. Rubbing vigorously will not only irritate your skin, but it may also remove too much oil and moisture.
Protecting your skin from the sun
It is essential to always protect your skin from the harmful rays of the sun, even more so when you have dry skin. The heat of the sun worsens your skin and dries it out. Too much exposure to the sun, can place you at risk of developing skin cancer. We always recommend our reef friendly SPF 30+ SunClear!
Dry winters
During cold temperatures, moisture is precipitated out of the air. The air will then seep out as much moisture as it can from your skin. This can cause your skin to be dry. If you already have dry skin, it can make it worse. Continue to apply moisturising creams to maintain moisture in your skin!
Humidity is good!
With hot weather, your skin glands sweat to try and cool you down. This will make your skin feel supple and soft! Just remember to drink lots of water, vitamins A, E and omega 3,6 & 9 fatty acids!
Prevention
While a suitable skin care routine is important, there are also ways to help your body along the way.
- Hydration is key! Dry skin occurs from a lack of hydration in the skin, so ensuring you are consuming 2-3L of water per day is essential. Adding in a high intake of fruit and vegetable juices will also do wonders for your skin.
- Go natural. Opting for natural skin care products over harsh chemicals will be better for your skin in the long term.
- Up your vitamin E intake. Eating lots of fish, flax seeds and other foods containing vitamin E can help you achieve healthy looking skin. We developed our mega oil for this exact reason. It will help you treat the skin from the inside out.
- Moisturise! When your skin is exceptionally dry it’s important to moisturise day and night. We suggest a day cream and a night cream to keep your skin hydrated.
- Use lukewarm water when washing your face to prevent cracked dry skin.
- Make it humid. Use a humidifier to increase the level of humidity in your home to avoid drying out your skin.
- Be gentle. Avoid using strong facial scrubs and toners as they can further aggravate your skin.
The skin is considered the largest organ of the body. In fact, it is your first line of defence against certain illnesses and infections. It goes without saying that it is important to follow a daily skin routine. These tips can help to prevent dryness, hydrate and nourish the skin leaving you glowing.
