How to take care of dry skin
How to take care of dry skin is a question I asked myself multiple times in my teenage years. I couldn’t quite understand why a lot of the girls my own age had nice beautiful soft skin but mine seemed to only send out a cry for help. No matter how well I scrubbed my skin and slathered on as much vaseline as I could, I never quite arrived.
Years later, I met someone with an even worse (scary worse) dry skin condition. I honestly never dreamed that skin could be that dry. Even though I learned that I was far much more blessed ( in terms of skin), now this question, “how to take care of dry skin” grew louder in my head. Every store I went to, I was constantly scanning skincare products on the off chance that I could find that “miracle worker for my own skin.
Besides the need to feel comfortable in my skin and to escape the embers of a fire that seemed to burn worse at night, I also wanted to find a solution for this new person I had come to know very well (My husband at the time).
For a while, my own skin problems seemed to disappear as I was so wrapped up in finding a solution for the husband. His skin was not only dry, but it was also thick, scaly, cracked, and bloody itchy.
what causes dry skin?
Before we dive into answering this question, I think it’s important to discuss a few issues which cause dry skin. There are many factors that lead to dry skin conditions. While some people are born with dry skin conditions, others get it later in life due to old age, the environment, and even medications.
Generally, the disruption of normal skin functions such as barrier function leads to dry skin conditions. Most of the time, dry skin has a hard time retaining moisture. The skin acts as a water reservoir and contains 20% of total water weight in the body.
When the barrier function is not working properly, it means that a lot of moisture is lost to the atmosphere.
Because of the reason above, drinking water alone as a way to maintain skin hydration is not enough. When barrier function is lost, a lot of skin functions change as well and then a disastrous nightmare with the fire on the skin begins.
Again, there are other factors that lead to dry skin conditions although the loss of barrier function is a huge factor.
Tips on how to take care of dry skin
Now that we have discussed the major reason as to why the skin dries out. It’s time to give you some arsenal to help you fight the blazing wildfire of dry skin. I call it “blazing fire” because dry skin comes with the BIG side effect- itching. If you have really dry skin you know exactly what I’m talking about.
Without further ado, here are the tips on how to take care of dry skin. Remember, these tips are not a cure. Unfortunately, most dry skin conditions don’t have a cure at the moment. Some people are lucky enough to have it go away on its own but for some of us, it’s a battle we’ve got to win day after day.
1. Take Regular Showers or Baths
Taking a shower is essential especially if your skin is dry and flaky. The shower helps to remove all the built-up dirt and loose dead skin. At the moment, the only near cure for skin dryness is the use of skin moisturizers.
These moisturizers contain, among other ingredients, oils. When oil sits on something for too long, it becomes problematic. This applies to the skin as well it’s the reason why regular skin washing is a must.
With that said, the water temperature is also an important factor to consider. Compromised skin barrier already has problems with water loss. If you use extremely hot water, your pores open up and you let the “dam loose”. Hot water will keep your pores open long after you’ve left the shower so think about the price and decide if it’s worth it.
The price is extremely itchy and dry skin and it could be higher if you don’t have a good moisturizer.
2. Use Soap
Soap attracts dirt and destroys it. It will eliminate dirt, built-up oils, grime, smells, and other things. This is why you need it. In order to truly clean your skin, you need soap. I prefer sodium hydroxide soaps as opposed to sodium lauryl sulfate and its many derivatives.
You can test it for yourself but I know that sodium hydroxide soap is a lot more gentle on my skin. It just feels different.
Regardless of what kind of soap you prefer, use soap. It’s true that it will raise the pH on your skin. However, since you’re not leaving the soap on your skin for longer than 2 minutes, you should be good. As a matter of fact, soap works because of its higher pH.
In combination with the soap, use a washrag, a loofah, or whatever you prefer. This will ensure that you really get a good wash.
3. Use a pH Balanced Moisturizer
When you take a shower but you delay moisture application, your skin dries up fast. It’s like toasting your bread and then finding out you don’t have butter:) The bread dries up and then it’s no good. Furthermore, the moisturizer needs to be of low pH. The lower pH in the lotion will balance your skin’s pH.
Likewise, after washing your skin, make sure to use a fast-absorbing moisturizer so you can experience fast relief. Remember, time is of the essence here. If you wait too long to apply a moisturizer, your skin dries up, and then it takes a little longer for the skin to absorb the lotion.
Back to my toast analogy. Warm toast makes the butter go on smoothly. Otherwise, it’s just not that good. The butter just sits there on top of the bread. It eventually melts but you probably eat it before it melts because it takes a while.
Alright. back to the moisturizer. Apply the moisture on slightly damp but not wet skin. Apply it immediately after you towel-dry. Don’t overdo it with the towel.
Since most body lotions are not formulated for the facial area, start by applying a face moisturizer and then proceed to use the body lotion. Start by rubbing the moisturizer in the palms of your hands- this allows for uniform application on the skin.
Once you’re done, just give it about a minute or so before putting on your clothes.
4. Avoid Rough Clothes
Not only do rough clothes make your skin itch, but they also rob your skin of precious moisture. You know the kinds of clothes I’m talking about. For me, wool or clothes that resemble wool sends my skin into complete madness. Find all the clothes that make your skin uncomfortable and get rid of them; they’re not worth the pain.
5. Touch-Up
Pay close attention to your skin. Your skin will warn you before it goes into a full-blown fire mode. The moment you feel your skin begin do feel dry, touch it up with a moisturizer.
Use a washcloth to wet your skin so that the skin cream or lotion goes on smoothly. This will save you from getting in trouble with the dreaded itch. The secret is, keep your skin clean and well moisturized and you will be a lot more comfortable.
6. Drink Water
Drink enough water. Some people say that drinking water won’t really affect your skin, however, I think it does. If it didn’t then why does dehydration affect skin so drastically. I wrote an article on how I make sure I’m drinking enough water. You can read it here
Final Thoughts
Generally, I have found that my skin responds way better to acidic skin lotion. I mainly use Alpha Hydroxy skin lotion daily on my skin.
I understand that everyone’s skin is different and that it will respond differently from mine. The aim of this article was to share with you the different ways I have been able to take of my skin.
Lastly, if you’ve been wondering about how to take care of dry skin, I hope these tips helped.