Dry, chapped skin is a common problem for a lot of people. For some, dry skin might be due to an underlying condition. For others, a simple change in weather can lead to a loss of moisture in the skin. The cold months in fall and winter are notorious for drying our skin, so it’s good to know how to prevent it before it’s too late. But what can we do? Countless products online and in local stores claim to restore moisture in our skin, but sometimes they just make our problems worse. Luckily, there are steps we can take to help our skin stay smooth and vibrant, with or without the help of products.
Continue reading to learn what you can do to help your skin retain moisture, especially during the dry winter months.
Best practices for moisturizing the skin
Before running out and trying a bunch of lotions and creams to help regain skin moisture, it’s best to figure out what is causing your dry skin in the first place. If you have an underlying condition such as psoriasis or eczema, you may need to see a dermatologist or skin care specialist for advice. If your dry skin is caused by the environment or what you are or aren’t consuming, you may need to simply change a few moisture-robbing habits.
Use a humidifier
If you live in a dry state that doesn’t get much rain, the moisture levels in your house or apartment may be really low. Humidifiers aren’t very costly and they can help introduce necessary moisture into your living area. You may find that leaving a humidifier on at a low level while you sleep will have you waking up with much smoother skin. Humidifiers will likely only help replenish the top layer of skin. So if the problem with your dry skin goes deeper, you may need to find a more comprehensive solution.
Drink plenty of water
The skin is the largest organ of our body. And just like every other organ, the skin is made up of cells. Cells need water to survive, so without an adequate supply of water, our skin can become chapped and flaky from dehydration. The skin plays a vital role in keeping our internal organs safe harmful free radicals infectious organisms. If the skin isn’t adequately hydrated, it may lose some of its resilience.
Apply a moisturizer immediately after bathing
Many of us take showers and baths daily and we use hot water to clean ourselves. The combination of hot water and the soaps we lather onto our bodies washes away the oils that the skin naturally produces. This oil, called sebum, is what helps keep our skin hydrated and functioning properly. To help mimic the effect of sebum, you should apply a fragrance-free moisturizer or topical silicone to your skin after showering.
Watch what comes in contact with your skin
What many of us don’t realize is that many of the things that touch our skin throughout the day can contribute to dry, irritated skin. Cheap soaps, laundry detergents with fragrance, and wool clothing can all contribute to skin problems. These items can also make the skin feel itchy, tempting us to scratch at it for relief. Avoid scratching your skin at all costs. Scratching can damage the top layer of skin and cause bleeding and infection if our nails are sharp enough. Instead of scratching, applying a gentle moisturizer or medical-grade silicone can soothe most irritations.
What’s the next step?
Dry skin can be uncomfortable and even painful in the worst of conditions, but there are a lot of remedies for you to try out. Because dry skin is such a common problem, new information and products are brought to the market all the time. The key is to do your research and find out what works best for you. Dermatologists and other physicians like to prescribe harsh medications for the skin, but sometimes these backfire or make the problem worse. If you have an underlying skin disorder, you should consult your doctor about what treatments are available and if there is anything you can do on your own to help your skin.
Continue reading to learn what you can do to help your skin retain moisture, especially during the dry winter months.
Best practices for moisturizing the skin
Before running out and trying a bunch of lotions and creams to help regain skin moisture, it’s best to figure out what is causing your dry skin in the first place. If you have an underlying condition such as psoriasis or eczema, you may need to see a dermatologist or skin care specialist for advice. If your dry skin is caused by the environment or what you are or aren’t consuming, you may need to simply change a few moisture-robbing habits.
Use a humidifier
If you live in a dry state that doesn’t get much rain, the moisture levels in your house or apartment may be really low. Humidifiers aren’t very costly and they can help introduce necessary moisture into your living area. You may find that leaving a humidifier on at a low level while you sleep will have you waking up with much smoother skin. Humidifiers will likely only help replenish the top layer of skin. So if the problem with your dry skin goes deeper, you may need to find a more comprehensive solution.
Drink plenty of water
The skin is the largest organ of our body. And just like every other organ, the skin is made up of cells. Cells need water to survive, so without an adequate supply of water, our skin can become chapped and flaky from dehydration. The skin plays a vital role in keeping our internal organs safe harmful free radicals infectious organisms. If the skin isn’t adequately hydrated, it may lose some of its resilience.
Apply a moisturizer immediately after bathing
Many of us take showers and baths daily and we use hot water to clean ourselves. The combination of hot water and the soaps we lather onto our bodies washes away the oils that the skin naturally produces. This oil, called sebum, is what helps keep our skin hydrated and functioning properly. To help mimic the effect of sebum, you should apply a fragrance-free moisturizer or topical silicone to your skin after showering.
Watch what comes in contact with your skin
What many of us don’t realize is that many of the things that touch our skin throughout the day can contribute to dry, irritated skin. Cheap soaps, laundry detergents with fragrance, and wool clothing can all contribute to skin problems. These items can also make the skin feel itchy, tempting us to scratch at it for relief. Avoid scratching your skin at all costs. Scratching can damage the top layer of skin and cause bleeding and infection if our nails are sharp enough. Instead of scratching, applying a gentle moisturizer or medical-grade silicone can soothe most irritations.
What’s the next step?
Dry skin can be uncomfortable and even painful in the worst of conditions, but there are a lot of remedies for you to try out. Because dry skin is such a common problem, new information and products are brought to the market all the time. The key is to do your research and find out what works best for you. Dermatologists and other physicians like to prescribe harsh medications for the skin, but sometimes these backfire or make the problem worse. If you have an underlying skin disorder, you should consult your doctor about what treatments are available and if there is anything you can do on your own to help your skin.
Biodermis is an innovative market leader with 30 years of expertise in the medical silicone industry. Visit Biodermis.com today to explore a complete range of scar management and post-operative care solutions.
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