I’m going to explain how you can condition your skin to be the best that it can be and reduce your chances of dry, flaky skin.
Before I do, did you know that dry skin can be an indicator or other conditions? Visually checking your skin can give you an idea of your overall health. For example, a malfunctioning thyroid gland can cause our skin’s appearance to drastically change from one extreme to the next. As we get older, our cells also shed much more slowly. That’s why a baby’s skin is so soft. Because one out of five Americans will battle skin cancer at some point in their lifetime, it’s becoming more important than ever that we pay attention to what our skin tells us.
Before we begin, ask yourself these questions:
- Is my dry skin mild or severe?
- Is it hereditary?
Even if your skin is severe and it’s been in your family for generations, realize that you do have options.
I’m going to explain how you can condition your skin to be the best that it can be and reduce your chances of dry, flaky skin.
Remedies For Dry Skin
If we’re going to address the problem, it’s important to be aware of the four major offenders when it comes to skin irritation. I’ll explain why they’re damaging your skin and offer suggestions to alleviate your pain!
1. Hot Water
This one should be an immediate priority. Everyone feels perfectly at ease in a hot, steamy shower. Falling water is relaxing, cathartic, serene. Showers wake us up in the morning and they put us at ease after a long day at work. But they’re also one of the fastest ways to completely strip away the natural oils that protect our skin, not to mention keep it feeling moist and looking healthy.
When you’re in the shower or taking a bath, keep the water temperature low. Lukewarm works for most people, but cold is even better. When a peasant in the Middle Ages wanted a bath, he jumped in a lake. Maybe he stood under a waterfall wondering why the powers-that-be wanted him to suffer. We may be more civilized these days, but sometimes the luxuries that result from our civilization are destroying our skin and our confidence in our appearance. Truth be told, the peasant was doing it right. He (possibly) had phenomenal, clean, healthy skin. And you can too. Be a peasant. Take cold showers.
2. Washing
That peasant probably didn’t stay in the water for too long (because it was frigid, icy death-water that might have even led him to question his gods), and you should probably follow his lead. Keep them short. Five minutes, ten at the very most. We know better than the peasant did, so we can be happy knowing our gods only want the best for our skin. Plus, standing in a cold shower is a great character-building exercise.
Peasants probably didn’t have access to great soaps. Which is perfectly fine, because they’re not necessary at all. When it comes to your skin, simple is better. Dry skin often lacks key nutrients and oils, which results in less water absorption. Try to find rinses or body washes (and moisturizers) that contain ceramides, which will help prevent your skin from becoming easily irritated. Avoid soap. And be gentle. You don’t need to be a Herculean beast in order to clean yourself. Take it easy on yourself.
3. Drying
Speaking of which, violently scraping a towel back and forth against your skin will destroy your natural oil barrier as fast as anything else. Are you noticing any patterns here? Your skin is delicate and must be protected at all costs if you want it to look pretty. When drying, gently pat the towel against wet areas. Damp skin is okay, because you’re about to lubricate it with a nice, uncomfortable layer of lotion, and locking in some of that moisture is a great idea.
4. Moisturizing and Exfoliating
After washing and drying, your skin will hold fewer oils and need help retaining moisture even if you washed and dried yourself correctly (I know, it’s like we’re just meant to be in pain all the time). This is why lotions come in handy. The best time to apply a moisturizer is directly after a shower. Look for brands that are recommended by dermatologists. They’re usually a little bit more expensive, but it’s an investment worth making. They keep your skin moisturized a lot longer than the stuff you wasted pennies on at the dollar store.
Also look for moisturizers that help exfoliate. People with preexisting conditions can have dry, flaky skin almost constantly. This means that your demon skin cells are multiplying at a rate that outpaces your body’s ability to exfoliate naturally. Exfoliating moisturizers will help you let go of that dead skin more quickly.