The Secondary Factors
Now that we’ve taken a look at some of the major offenders, I’ll walk you through the secondary factors that can contribute to having dry skin so you can watch out for hazardous skin conditions in your life. Once you’re aware of the potential dangers, you can take steps to minimize the harmful effects on your dry skin.
5. Climate
People tend to have fewer dry skin problems in humid environments. Less moisture in the air means less moisture for your skin to absorb. This is a factor few have control over, but it’s worth noting if you do indeed have the option of moving.
6. Allergies
Keep in mind that allergies can irritate the skin. If you want to keep it healthy, then you’ll want to keep your allergies under control. If they aren’t, then don’t hesitate to see an allergist for some new ideas. Mine gave me two shots in each arm every week for five years… Better luck to you.
7. Diet
We tend to get most of our water from food, but be sure to remain hydrated. I don’t need to tell you what dehydration will do to your beloved skin. Also, make sure you have a well-balanced diet. Fruits and vegetables and nuts all have vitamins and minerals that are key to healthy skin. If you’re chowing down Snickers bars all the time, you’re not doing yourself any favors. Peasants didn’t have acne, but then again they didn’t have Snickers bars either.
8. Shaving
Although you’d probably rather not do it at all, the best time to shave is directly after a shower. Make sure the blades are fresh. You don’t butcher cattle with dull blades, do you?
9. Sun
Sunlight is a healer or a killer. Too little isn’t enough, and too much can give you cancer. Limited exposure can absolutely be good for your skin, but wear sunscreen and be sure not to get burned. Good advice, that.
Living With Dry Skin
Dealing with dry skin can be a tough pill to swallow, but I hope I’ve granted you a bit of hope. It can be done, so long as you have the will to do it.
It’s important for you to create your own personal regimen based on what you’ve learned and follow it daily for best results. The idea is to keep your skin conditioned in such a way that it retains its outermost protective layer and more easily relieves itself of skin cells that have passed on to the afterlife. A break in the regimen can result in defenseless skin, and you’ll want to avoid that.
Be careful, be gentle, be vigilant, and be healthy! If you have questions or experiences of your own to share, please don’t hesitate to leave a comment.
Best of luck,
Jeff
Hi Jeff,
Looks like I’m a little late on this post, but what shots did you get for your allergies. I’ve had terrible allergies, (causing dry skin) for 4-5 years now. I have seen two allergists and tried everything from supplements to prescriptions and switched every household cleaner and lotion about 10 tens each but had no results. I still don’t know what my allergies is but my IGE is always hovering around 3000. If I can get a shot for allergies that I don’t know about, I am willing to do it! I already get blood taken every 3 months just to monitor the situation.
If you have any other advice, I would really appreciate it.
I moisturize immediately after I bathe. A good hour or two and I’m ashy like crazy. If I rub my hand over the ash it just comes off like I’m shedding. So every now and then when I bathe I use a bath brush to scrub my body as I bathe. It seems to help I just don’t understand why this is. This is new. Never use to happen. Matter of fact when I was younger even into adult years I never moisturized because I was NEVER ashy.
I feel so terrible and insecure about my dry skin, looking at my friends with great glowing skin makes me feel like am an alien from another planet with horrible dry skin. Not only is my skin dry, i have scars from falling off bicycle and few flattened but dark scars on my legs from childhood. As if that’s not enough, my butts, upper part of my breasts and thighs are covered with stretch mark, i hardly wear shorts.
My mom has this dry skin just like me, and no over the counter creams and lotions seems to work for me.
Please help my insecurities ;(;(
Think natural home remedies can work for me?
Am from west africa