But hold on! Is your skin happy as you are this winter? If the answer is No, then you are probably someone with “dry skin”.

Knowing your skin type is a crucial part of your skincare journey. You have dry skin if your skin feels tight or flaky throughout with itchiness and slight to severe scaling. Your skin will be evidently dehydrated, may look rough with lines and cracks which can sometimes even bleed in extreme cases.

What is the cause of dry skin?

Cold air during winters can burn your skin, eventually altering your skin barrier, leaving it chapped and parched. Besides, there can be innumerable reasons for someone to have dry skin. From genetics to hot water showers, anything can be the culprit. Extreme heat, cold climate, harsh detergents, overuse of cosmetics, dehydration, lack of moisturization, aging, medical conditions etc. can all cause dry skin. It is all about how your skin responds to these varying stimuli.

Skin is the largest sense organ that covers the whole body. As a first line defense, skin acts as a protective barrier to external aggression such as bacteria, viruses, and even environmental stressors. Skin needs moisture and naturally occurring oils to keep it soft and supple. Dry skin happens when the skin loses moisture or oil content thereby leaving it rough and scaly.

Is moisturization worth the hype?

Preservation of skin's natural protective barriers and healthy pH levels can both be disturbed if your skin lacks a proper layer of moisturization. This disruption is often visible as dryness, redness, swelling and lines. Absence of regular moisturization can result in dry and dull skin, obvious wrinkles, itchiness and deteriorated skin health in the long run.

Regular application of moisturizers is anyways beneficial to every skin type, and it should be an inevitable part of your skin care regime, especially when you have a dry skin because dry skin much requires added hydration. It is very important that you use the right moisturizer in the right amount that suffices your skin demand. Using moisturizers containing humectants and emollients soften, smoothen, and hydrate the skin’s surface layers sealing in the moisture content which provides a soothing protective barrier.  

Skim through the ingredients list before you pick any moisturizers. Moisturizers containing drying ingredients such as mineral oils, silicone, fragrances, synthetic dyes, parabens, alcohol etc. would not be a great pick for dry skin owners as they can result in even more dryness and flakiness than it already is. These ingredients can clog your pores, cause breakouts, blemishes, and black heads, exacerbate burning and irritation and a lot more undesirable result. Instead go for more nourishing main ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, ceramides, colloidal oatmeal, shea butter, coconut oil, aloe vera etc. with minimal drying additives.

How to fight your dry skin this winter?

Winters are associated with severe winds, humidity and temperature changes which are risk elements that leave skin dry and patchy. You can lend a hand to your thirsty skin in resisting this dryness, retaining its moisture so that it can stay healthy to perform its functions. The first step in this move is to provide skin with the moisture it needs. This doesn’t mean you have to overburden your skin with too much moisturizer and oils. It is always healthier to treat your skin simply, especially when you have dry skin. Besides moisturization there are plentiful other means with which we can help combat skin dryness.

• Bathe in lukewarm water instead of hot water, also limit your shower time to not more than 10 minutes and shower frequency not more than 1 time a day.
• Refrain from using harsh soaps and body washes, especially those which are highly scented. Look for options that are hydrating and soap-free such as CeraVe, Sebamed, Uriage
• Limit the use of formulations containing alcohol, artificial colours, perfumes etc. which can strip off your skin’s natural oils.
• Use Bathing accessories such as bath sponge, loofah, scrubber, exfoliating gloves etc. with extreme caution as these can inflict damage to your skin.
• Moisturize your skin right after the bath, while the skin is still damp which will help seal in this moisture.
• Be careful with your laundry detergents and fabric softeners. Make sure these are hypoallergenic and are harsh chemical free too, including soaps and fragrances. Traces of these chemicals stuck on clothing can also irritate your skin.
• Never scratch your dry skin. Scratching can make the spot turn into cracks, infections, red, scaly and tender. This may even result in serious skin conditions such as dermatitis and eczema.
• Plug in a humidifier: Humidifier can control the environment by restoring moisture back into air thereby retaining skin hydration.
• Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water which helps with overall hydration.
• Eat a balanced diet rich in healthy fats and vitamins that benefit the overall well-being of the skin. Look for healthy food options such as avocados, nuts, oily fish, broccoli, antioxidant rich fruits and vegetables etc. Anti-inflammatory foods such as kale, spinach, strawberries, tomatoes etc. will also help inflammatory skin conditions and associated dryness and itchiness.

Beauty aids to avail

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When to call upon your dermatologist?

Seek guidance from a doctor if any of the home remedies you try or regular moisturization and healthy diet or hydration have not shown any improvements. Dermatologists will assess your history, any underlying causes and your skin to recommend the most suitable treatment.

Disclaimer:

The content provided on this blog is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as a substitute for advice from a Healthcare Professional.

References:

• https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/food-for-dry-skin
• https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dry-skin/symptoms-causes/syc-20353885
• https://www.health.harvard.edu/womens-health/what-to-do-about-dry-skin-in-winter
• https://www.webmd.com/beauty/itching-from-dry-skin