There is nothing new about having dry skin. In fact, it is not considered a part of skin problems because some people have it naturally. But when different parts of your body start experiencing dry spells when you’ve never had dry skin, what do you do? Want to know how to get rid of dry skin?
Usually, it doesn’t take much to ameliorate the dryness and get rid of it permanently. Here, we take a look at different body areas that can suddenly get dry. Then we discuss how to get rid of the dryness.
Table of Contents
How to Get Rid of Dry Skin – Facial Dry Skin
You may naturally have dry skin facially. Or you may have suddenly developed it. If the latter is your case, there are a few things you could be doing to have brought it on.
If you wash your face too frequently in a day, it will lead to a decrease in sebum. Sebum is the natural oil the human skin produces.
While too much of it could lead to breakouts, too little of it leads to dry skin. A good amount of it keeps the skin protected.
Using too many skincare products on the face, especially those with harsh chemicals, could also lead to dryness of facial skin. Too much exposure to sunlight and smoking are other things you could be doing to dehydrate your skin.
Getting rid of the dryness is dependent upon the reason it is there in the first place. You will also have to check how severe the dryness is before you choose a treatment method.
How Do You Get Rid of Facial Dry Skin?
The following are some steps to take to eliminate facial dry skin:
- Avoid harsh cleansers and soaps
- Shower or bathe with warm water
- Use a moisturizer
- Using a humidifier helps
- Exfoliation
Let us discuss each point fully.
Avoid Harsh Cleansers and Soaps
How do harsh cleansers and soaps dry facial skin?
Harsh cleansers and soaps dry facial skin through the ingredients they contain. Chemicals like added fragrance, dye, paraben and alcohol strip the skin of protective oils. When the skin is left bare, it becomes susceptible to irritation and it becomes harder for it to retain moisture.
Wash and cleanse with the mildest and softest cleansers and soaps you can find. This will eliminate the chances of dryness and irritation.
Shower or Bathe with Warm Water
Is warm water better than hot water in preventing dry skin?
Warm water is better than hot water in preventing dry skin. This is because using hot water constantly will erode protective oils and nutrients on your skin, leaving it dry and vulnerable. Therefore, keep your bath or shower water warm.
Additionally, reduce the time you spend in the shower. It is recommended that you spend less than 10 minutes bathing, as anything longer is detrimental.
Use a Moisturizer
Immediately after a bath is where a moisturizer comes in. This practice is good for all skin types but especially for dry skin. This is because it keeps the moisture locked in the skin.
Try as much as possible to keep away from moisturizers that contain alcohol or artificial dyes and scents. Instead, opt for those rich in ceramides and hyaluronic acid.
Using the right cream will also go a long way in relieving dryness. This is where a dry skin cream may come in.
Using a Humidifier Helps
Here is how using a humidifier improves dry skin on the face:
Central heating or air conditioning sucks up moisture from the air. When this happens, your skin will no external moisture to work with. It will have to depend on what it has, which is usually not enough.
If you find that you stay under one or the other regularly, moisten the air by using a humidifier. This will help greatly for dry skin on the face and any other part of the body.
Exfoliation
How does exfoliation help to get rid of dry skin on the face?
Exfoliating helps get rid of dry skin on the face by clearing old and dead skin cells. These impurities keep the moisture and necessary nutrients from getting to the skin, causing it to become dry. But when you exfoliate, you reduce flakiness and promote the appearance of new and healthier skin.
Important to note here is that you need to do this cautiously. Exfoliating too much will lead to extra dryness. The key here is moderation.
How to Get Rid of Dry Skin – Mouth and Nose
The steps mentioned above can be used to handle this facial skin problem. This is because these areas are within the face. So while treating general facial skin dryness, they will be taken care of.
However, if the dry skin you have is just around the mouth, you could be reacting to a cream, lotion or your toothpaste.
It could also be symptomatic of dehydration, cold weather, eczema or rosacea, allergies, too much time out in the sun or perioral dermatitis.
It is best to find out from a doctor why the dry skin is just around the mouth before you opt for any treatment. If the underlying cause is serious, you will catch it on time.
Check out these interesting skincare product reviews/articles:
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How to Get Rid of Dry Skin – Around Eyes
Truth is, the skin around the eyes is super delicate. It is thin and prone to get the worst of any harsh weather or ingredients in skincare products.
This thinness and delicateness also mean the skin is not able to keep in moisture like other parts of the body. So if due attention is not given, it tends to dry out easily.
You could start treatment by dropping any product that contains harsh chemicals. Go for milder ones. You can also use a good moisturizer, making sure to apply it around the eyes in a gentle fashion.
The best thing to do, however, is to start and maintain a good skincare routine. This will help your skin generally but will also keep your attention on the delicate areas. Consistency is key.
How to Treat Dry Acne-prone Skin
What causes acne in dry skin?
A main cause of acne in dry skin is the over-secretion of sebum. When the skin is too dry, it triggers itself into producing more sebum than is necessary in order to moisturize the skin.
In doing this, the pores are clogged with the oil and other impurities. This increases the chances of a breakout.
Skincare products can also cause acne in dry skin. If you have dry skin yet are prone to acne, check the products you use. It is always a temptation to go for moisturizers, creams and other products that are rich in oil if you have dry skin. But using a lot of them at once can cause clogged pores and lead to acne.
There are many non-comedogenic, hypoallergenic and non-acnegenic products you can use. These can also not have a high oil content. Since you know you are prone to acne, choose products that are light yet moisturize.
Reduce washing you face to once a day, at most, using warm water. And use a gentle soap or cleanser. If you must use a topical cream or lotion, apply it to the blemishes directly, not to the whole face or body. And choose acne-treating products that won’t aggravate the dryness.
How to Get Rid of Dry Skin under Beard
Skin is skin. The only difference is that the skin underneath a beard is hidden. If you have dry skin there, you can handle it easily.
Wash the beard with shampoo that contains some moisturizer instead of soap. This will help keep the skin from drying out easily and keep the beard healthy.
Take warm baths, instead of hot. Hot water erodes the oils that protect skin, even the one under your beard.
Watch what you eat. Some foods are more beneficial to the skin than others. Foods rich in omega-3 and vitamins like E and C are good for the skin.
Exfoliate weekly with a facial scrub. This will remove any flaky skin underneath your beard to reduce dryness and irritation.
How to Get Rid of Dry Skin – What We Have to Say
Getting rid of dry skin is not hard. The problem is usually remaining consistent with the right treatment. If you can stick to an effective skincare routine or any other treatment, your skin will thank you for it. If you have been wondering how to get rid of dry skin on any area of your body, you are welcome.
How to Get Rid of Dry Skin on Different Areas of Your Body – Related Frequently Asked Questions
What Does Dry Skin Look Like?
Dry skin looks shrivelled and dehydrated. In some cases, it looks scaly and flaky. When it itches and you scratch, you will notice particles falling off your skin from that area. The particles can be white or grey, depending on how severe it is.
If you have dry skin patches all over your body, those areas will look like these. And if you have dry scalp, the same applies.
However, these signs usually occur when the dryness is intense. But if the dryness of your skin is not severe, you will most likely not see these.
What Can Dry Skin Be a Sign of?
Dry skin can be a sign that your skin is dehydrated. This is especially true if you don’t have dry skin naturally. It means your skin needs hydration and you can do this through intense moisturizing and drinking water. Dry skin also occurs frequently in aging skin. This is because it does not retain as much moisture as it needs to stay hydrated.
But dry skin can also be a sign that you have a medical issue. Diabetes causes dry skin, as well as eczema and hypothyroidism. Additionally, when you are malnourished, one of the ways it shows is through dry skin.
What Vitamin Deficiency Can Cause Dry Skin?
The deficiency of vitamin D can cause dry skin. It plays an important role in the growth of skin cells and the functioning of the barrier of the skin. It also keeps the immune system of the skin healthy. If the immune system is weakened, pollutants attack the skin and dryness is part of the adverse reactions.
Vitamin C is also a vitamin that the skin must not lack. It contributes to the hydration of the skin. And when the skin is properly hydrated, there will be no dryness.
Does Drinking Water Help Dry Skin?
Drinking water helps dry skin but only when it is a lifestyle. If you have dry skin and you usually don’t drink an adequate amount of water daily, taking large amounts of water for a week is not going to change anything.
But if you are one who drinks plenty of water daily as a lifestyle, it will show in your skin. Proper hydration will help boost the effectiveness of some skincare products but only nominally.
Using the right skincare products that will relieve dry skin is still the best way to go.
What Can I Eat to Stop Dry Skin?
The following are some foods that relieve dry skin:
Avocado: This food is rich in antioxidants like vitamin E and monosaturated fats. Part of what they do is to keep the skin from being inflamed and help it retain moisture.
Fish: The best types are the fatty ones like salmon and mackerel. This is because they help restore and stabilize the barrier of the skin. Hence, moisture of the skin remains intact.
Sweet Potato: The beta-carotene it contains gets converted to vitamin in the body. This vitamin helps the skin remain moisture, keeping dry skin at bay.
Oyster: The zinc it contains builds collagen, which plumps the skin to prevent dryness.
Why Is My Skin Dry Even When I Moisturize?
One of the reasons why your skin is dry even when you moisturize is dehydration. Not being properly hydrated with water and other healthy fluids will make your skin dry, despite using good moisturizers.
Another reason for this is the use of the wrong moisturizer. Use moisturizers for the severity of your dry skin. using a mild one will have little or no effect.
Yet another reason is when you apply your moisturizer. Use it when your body is still damp from the shower or bath. This will help the moisturizer absorb faster, thus working better.
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