Is it the weather or your skin has always been dry? Your dry skin might be as a result of harmattan or other harsh weather conditions; however, there are more reasons your skin might be so dry.
Before we delve right into some of the causes, let’s first ascertain the symptoms of dry skin.
How do you know you have dry skin?
According to Mayo Clinic, dry skin is likely to cause one or more of the following:
● A feeling of skin tightness, bathing or swimming.
● Skin that feels and looks rough.
● Itching (pruritus).
● Slight to severe flaking, scaling or peeling.
● Fine lines or cracks.
● Gray, ashy skin.
● Redness.
● Deep cracks that may bleed.
If you have one or more of these symptoms, we can help you understand a few of the causes which are:
1. You are not moisturizing
Moisturize your body regularly. There’s a reason it’s been sitting on your dressing table. It is for you to use it. Also, use thicker moisturizing cream if you have to, especially in dry weather.
2. You bath too much
Oshe! Na you clean pass. Note though, that Over-Cleansing is one of the reasons for super dry skin. Lily Talakoub, M.D., a dermatologist at McLean Dermatology and Skincare Center said the skin has a natural barrier, consisting of oil, water, and something called the ‘natural moisturizing factors’. When we wash our skin with a cleanser, soap, or body wash, it strips all the proper skin hydration off. So, bathe twice a day and use an oil-based cleanser for your face.
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3. The water is too hot
As much as you always love a long hot bath, your skin is not built to tolerate that long. ‘Excessive exposure to hot water can strip the skin of essential oils leading to irritation and inflammation,’ says Joshua Zeichner, M.D., director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Medical Center.
4. You don’t drink enough water
It doesn’t always have to be an external factor or our skin products. Sometimes, it is as simple as your intake level of water. Proper hydration with water is vital to keep fluid moving efficiently through the capillaries. Stay hydrated.
5. It is genetic
Oh yeah. You can follow a whole lot of rules and still end up with dry skin. For people who have these hereditary predispositions, SELF in an article, recommends applying a heavy moisturizer with ceramides, a moisturizing protein that’s easily lost in the skin of these patients.
Do you have really dry skin? What are you doing to keep it moisturized?
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