Dry skin is a common problem that can be a result of several different factors. It can be a symptom of a more serious underlying condition or a skin problem like eczema or psoriasis. However, it is often a result of certain environmental factors that remove moisture from the skin. Harsh skin cleansing or skincare products, hot showers, heat, or dry climates can all lead to dryer skin. Fortunately, there are plenty of things you can do at home and in your everyday skin routine to address the symptoms and restore your skin’s natural moisture.
Choose the Right Skincare Products
If your skin tends to feel dryer and more irritated after using a certain soap or moisturizer, this could be the cause. Sadly, not all skincare products are actually good for your skin and some might even worsen the symptoms of some skin conditions. If you suffer from eczema, for example, scented soaps and cleansers could irritate your skin further, so it’s best to choose an unscented option designed for more sensitive skin. Check out the example range of premium skincare products from MerryDerma with something to suit every type of skin. They offer a range of gentle cleansing and moisturizing products well-suited for those with eczema and other dry skin conditions.
Natural Moisturizers
Many of the moisturizing products that you can buy from drugstores are filled with chemicals and scents to make them more appealing to use, but these are not always great for dry skin. Instead, consider using more natural moisturizing products like coconut oil or petroleum jelly. These both have excellent healing properties for the skin. Coconut oil, in particular, is a natural emollient that can be used on even the most sensitive parts of your body. Petroleum jelly helps to heal dry and irritated patches of skin by covering the skin in a protective layer and trapping the moisture underneath.
Change Your Diet
The skin is the largest organ in your body, so it makes sense that your diet might have an effect on its condition. Dry skin means that your skin is being exposed to elements that are damaging your skin cells at a faster pace than your body is able to repair them, so giving your body the right fuel to do this can help. Antioxidant-rich foods can minimize environmental damage to the skin by providing it with what it needs to repair and make healthy skin cells. Some good foods to consider adding to your diet more often include tomatoes, blueberries, beans, carrots, and lentils. You can also improve your skin’s condition by eating more foods that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids.
Protect Your Hands
Your hands are the area of your body that are most likely to suffer from dry skin patches because they tend to come into more contact with environmental irritants like laundry detergent and dish soap. Protecting your hands by wearing rubber gloves when washing up or wearing gloves to keep your hands warm in the cold can make a difference to your skin.
Dry skin is irritating and uncomfortable, but thankfully there are several simple ways to keep it at bay.