Dry skin can range from being an annoyance to a major irritation that makes daily life difficult. Interestingly, a few of your everyday habits could be the cause of what’s making your skin dry and flaky. If you address these areas, you should be on your way to softer, more moisturized skin.
1. You Love Long, Hot Showers
While these can be comforting, hot showers that last longer than 10 minutes can really dry out your skin. That’s because the heat and prolonged exposure to water will remove the skin’s natural oils that keep it moisturized. These showers can also disrupt the skin’s barrier, which leaves it open to damage and irritation. It’s better to keep your showers short and no hotter than 84°F.
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2. You Don’t Drink Enough Water
The quest to ensure that your skin is moisturized starts from within. If you’re not hydrating well, it will make it hard for your body to keep your skin as healthy as it needs to be. The numbers can differ depending on your personal needs, but typically one eight-ounce glass of water eight times per day should be enough for you.
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3. You’re Using The Wrong Moisturizers
It’s not enough to use a moisturizer on your skin; you have to find the right one. Some of the lotions that claim to help could actually make things worse. That’s because many lotions are water-based and don’t get absorbed very well. On top of that, it evaporates quickly and leaves your skin drier than before. It’s better to get creams or ointments that are oil-based. Those will protect your skin while helping it to maintain its moisture.
4. Your Soaps Are Too Harsh
The average soap is made of harsh chemicals that lean toward an alkaline pH. The combination of strong ingredients and the shift in pH can disrupt the skin’s barrier and make it very dry. If they have a fragrance, that could irritate the skin as well. Your best bet is to go for soaps that are unscented and have ingredients that are focused on maintaining moisture.
5. Your Water Is Too Hard
Not only do you have to look at your soap, but you also have to consider water hardness. Hard water can create a film on your skin that makes it hard for it to absorb the moisturizers that you use. Fortunately, you can get rid of that by using a water filtration system in your house.
6. You Wash Your Hands Often
Yes, hand washing is important, but you have to do it responsibly if you do it often. As you might expect, the constant washing will remove the skin’s natural oils and even cause irritation if you’re using the wrong soap. In this case, it’s a good idea to use moisturizing soaps to wash your hands and use a moisturizer on your hands often.
7. You Exfoliate A Lot
Exfoliation can help remove dead skin cells. If you’re doing it every day, though, you might be damaging your skin. Using exfoliating scrubs more than once or twice per week can cause small tears in the skin, leading to dry, inflamed, and irritated skin. It also helps to use gentle products that contain salicylic acid and glycolic acid.
8. Your Detergents And Fabric Softeners Are Irritating
Whether you’re dealing with the dishwasher or the washing machine, cleaning agents can impact your skin. Harsh products with a lot of fragrance can harm your skin’s barrier and irritate it.
Detergents can even stick around in your clothes to cause further irritation. It’s best to choose products that are meant for sensitive skin or use less than you usually would.
9. You’re Using Too Much Retinol
Retinol is great for smoothing wrinkles and is a key ingredient in many products that are meant for people who are aging.
If you’re using those products, it’s important not to overuse them, though. Too much retinol can dry out the skin and leave it irritated. A pea-sized amount each night should be enough.
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10. You’re Neglecting Important Areas
When taking care of your skin, you shouldn’t only focus on your face and hands. A comprehensive skincare routine will include products that moisturize the entire body, including the scalp.
As you’re applying moisturizing creams, pay special attention to your elbows and soles as they’re highly prone to cracking.
Of course, if you’re taking care of your skin and there’s still an issue, you may need to talk to your doctor. You may have a chronic skin condition such as eczema or psoriasis. In that case, your doctor will prescribe the appropriate medications or treatments that will address the skin disorder.
