Dry skin is a common problem that can appear on any part of the body. But before you slather on your moisturizer and lotion, it might be beneficial to get to the bottom of what’s causing your dry skin in the first place. (Image Credit: Unsplash/Dmitriy Nushtaev)
If you’re drinking enough water throughout the day, there could be other dehydrators at play. Here are a few common offenders that could be drying out your skin and what you can do to bring the moisture back.
Aggressive handwashing
When you’re washing your hands, it’s important to keep in mind that you don’t need to be aggressive with your skin to get rid of bacteria. Wash your hands gently under lukewarm water with antibacterial soap for at least 20 seconds. Avoid hot water and alcohol-based soaps, which can strip your skin’s moisture.
After you’ve finished washing, use a towel to blot your hands dry. Rubbing your hands on a towel can be irritating to your skin. Once your hands are dry, remember to moisturize them with lotion or hand cream.
Moisturizing infrequently
It’s important to moisturize throughout the day using the right products. Creams and lotions are easier for your body to absorb because they’re 50% oil and 50% water. Ointments are 80% oil and 20% water. Because of their oil content, ointments are thicker than creams and lotions, and they take longer for the body to absorb.
Creams and lotions are made thicker using synthetic polymers, which became popular 70 years ago, and work best on larger areas of skin. Make sure to moisturize frequently throughout the day. Use ointments on dry patches of skin at night that you can keep covered.
Dry indoor air
With social distancing in effect, we’re spending more time indoors than ever. And now that winter is over, you may be taking notice that the air inside your home can be just as punishing as the air outside. If you’ve been getting shocked regularly when you touch different surfaces in your house, there’s a good chance you’re dealing with some seriously dry air.
A humidifier is a great way to restore moisture to the air in your home. Just make sure to clean and disinfect your humidifier regularly if you choose to invest in one. How often you service your humidifier can directly impact your room air quality.
There are many factors that can cause dry skin. By narrowing down the potential causes, you can remedy the problem and get your skin back on track to its natural glow.