Dry skin is a skin type that can be caused by factors like the weather, moisture levels in the air as well as skin conditions such as eczema. When your complexion lacks oils, or lipids, it takes on a flaky dry appearance.
If you have been unhappy about your skin condition and have been trying to figure out if you have dry skin, here are a few symptoms to look out for:
- A feeling of tightness on your face, especially after showering, bathing or swimming
- Rough skin
- Itching
- Redness
- White flakes
Of course, while there are different levels of severity for the symptoms of dry skin, if you are looking to improve your skin condition – here are a few things you can do!
The first is to moisturize daily! Moisturizers, ointments and creams can improve the skin’s natural barrier function, which seals your skin to keep water from escaping. Finding the right moisturizer for your skin usually requires a little bit of trial and error – but do keep an eye out for ingredients like hyaluronic acid, ceramides and colloidal oatmeal that are usually contained in gentle, face-friendly moisturizers.
You should also use a gentle cleanser that’s mild, and fragrance-free. Products that contain alcohol, artificial colours and plastics have the potential to dry out your skin and cause more irritation. Once again, a little knowledge on the ingredients of your skincare products is important. Generally, try to avoid ingredients that include sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), parabens, diethanolamine (DEA), monoethanolamine (MEA) and triethanolamine (TEA).
Exfoliating is another component to your skincare routine that you can do. On average, your skin will make new cells and replace the old ones within about a month. Exfoliating will help remove dead skin cells that may otherwise become stuck on the surface that can lead to dry patches and clogged pores. However, you should not exfoliate everyday because that might strip your skin even more than necessary. A general rule of 2 to 3 times a week – while keeping an eye on your skin condition is what most experts would advise.
You might also want to think about your bathing habits. It is best to use warm NOT hot water when bathing or washing your face because the high temperature of the water can strip your skin of its natural oils. Don’t forget to immediately moisturize after a bath or washing your face so that the moisture on your skin is locked in.
Overall, even if there are things you can do by yourself, it doesn’t hurt to have help from a professional when it comes to taking care of your skin.
