Learn About Dry Skincare And How To Prevent Dryness

But the good news is that, by identifying the problem that causes dryness and treating it with specific care, the improvement is significant. See, below, everything on the subject!

What Causes Dry Skin

First, we need to know the agents responsible for dry skin. Did you know that climatic conditions, such as cold or excessive heat and, above all, the low humidity of the environment are present among the main causes of dry skin? Diseases such as atopic dermatitis and psoriasis are also included, in which there is a greater loss of water through the epidermis – major factors for dry skin.

Another responsible is the intense exposure to the sun or to the air conditioning, which reduce the humidity of the skin. Hormonal (diabetes mellitus and hypothyroidism), kidney and liver diseases are also associated with dry skin. Even the use of some medications can result in dryness.

Diuretics bring fluid loss through the body, and isotretinoin in the treatment of acne, which reduces the function of the sebaceous glands. Topical retinoids for the treatment of acne and skin aging tend to cause dry skin instead of application.

The skin is drier in the climacteric, due to hormonal drop, and in people of advanced age. This is due to the decrease in sebum production by the sebaceous glands. Some inappropriate habits, such as the excessive use of soaps and loofahs, as well as long and hot baths, contribute to this situation.

Characteristics Of Dry Skin

• Rough skin;
• Dull;
• Scaling and jerking;
• Cracks;
• Sensitive, easily developing irritability;
• Itchy symptoms, especially after a long, hot shower;
• It gets worse on dry days and in air-conditioned environments;
• It worsens after intense sun exposure;
• It can result in burning and odour.

How To Care For Dry Skin

If you have one or more characteristics mentioned above and suffer from dry skin, check out the main care:

Take quick, warm showers

Hot and long baths favour dry skin. So, pay attention to the water temperature and the time you spend in the bath, trying to decrease it.

Avoid loofahs and sponges in the driest areas

In the drier areas of the body, such as arms, legs, elbows, knees and heels, do not use loofahs and sponges. This prevents friction with the skin.

Prefer neutral soaps

Use neutral soaps, such as children’s soaps, to be used in the most humid areas. Use them on the armpits, breasts, genitals, buttocks and between the toes. Avoid even perfumed and antibacterial soaps, as they are more aggressive and offer greater irritability to sensitive and dry skin.

Hydrate your skin with the right ingredients

After bathing, gently dry your skin with a soft towel and immediately apply a hypoallergenic moisturizing lotion. The most used assets in these moisturizing lotions are glycerin, silicones, ceramides, petroleum jelly and vegetable and mineral oils. It is important always to read the labels: if you have very dry and sensitive skin, stay away from moisturizers with irritating substances in their composition, such as urea and propylene glycol.

Maintain a healthy diet

In addition to drinking at least 2 litres of water a day, try to include fruits and vegetables in your menu. They contain vitamins and antioxidants, helping to hydrate the skin.

After sun exposure, moisturize your skin even more

After being exposed to the sun, at the beach or by the pool:

1. Take a quick, warm bath as soon as you get home.
2. Apply a neutral moisturizer.
3. Don’t forget that, before sunbathing, sunscreen should be your best friend!

Use vitamins and antioxidants

Vitamins, mainly C and E, in addition to antioxidants, such as selenium and zinc, prevent skin dryness. Associated with a little sun exposure a day, with UVA / UVB protection and environmental conditions, the appearance of your skin will have noticeable improvements.

Follow daily skincare suitable for your skin

Skincare for facial skin includes cleansing the skin with gentle products, such as syndets. These are soap substitutes and have a pH between 5 and 6, close to the physiological pH of the skin. After cleaning, apply a specific moisturizer for dry and sensitive skin and a sunscreen with an SPF of 50 or more. Include antioxidants such as pycnogenol, vitamin C, vitamin E and resveratrol in your skincare routine.

Don’t forget about night skincare

At night, clean your skin with the same product used during the day. Also apply a serum with vitamins, hyaluronic acid and antioxidants – elements to prevent skin ageing as well. Care is super important and prevents dryness. Therefore, take care of your skin with all affection, following a skincare routine so that it is radiant and much healthier!