Dry skin is, ironically, a real dampener on your wellbeing. When your skin is flaky and itchy, all you can think about is getting fast and effective relief, and never having to go through that irritation again. This means you might find yourself reaching for a moisturiser with a hefty price tag, but enhancing your skin wellness isn’t just about slapping on a cream and being done with it; it depends on all kinds of factors, such as how you clean your skin, the air around you, and even your clothes. Try our top tips for soothing your dry skin:
1. Don’t get overheated: According to dermatologist Andrea Lynn Cambio, MD, even though that steamy shower feels good, the hot water is actually drying out your skin. If your shower or bath is hot, rather than warm, it strips your body of its natural oil barrier that otherwise works to trap moisture and keep your skin smooth and hydrated. As well as turning down the temperature, you should also dial it back on how long you spend in the tub. Skincare experts recommend short, warm showers or baths that last no longer than five to 10 minutes, and you should gently pat dry and moisturise your body afterwards.
2. Cleanse gently: When you’re in the shower, make sure you use a gentle soap that doesn’t contain any fragrances, deodorants or antibacterial additives, as these can be harsh on your skin. Dermatologist Carolyn Jacob, MD, notes that cleansers that contain ceramides help your skin to hold in moisture, as these fatty molecules make up the outer barrier of your skin. However, you lose ceramides as you age, making products containing the molecules essential to your anti ageing wellness. You should avoid any toner, peel or other astringent that has been made with alcohol, as this dries your skin, and Jacob warns that exfoliating too much or too hard can irritate and thicken your skin, so be gentle.
3. Shave smartly: When you shave unwanted hair away, you also scrape off natural oils, which is why shaving can irritate dry skin. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends shaving after a shower, as it is during this time that hairs are softer and more pliable. Make sure your razor is sharp and you clean reusable blades with rubbing alcohol between uses. Never neglect to use a shaving cream or gel, and make sure you shave in the direction the hair is growing.
4. Shun the sun: Dry skin, wrinkles and roughness are all caused, to a large extent, by sun damage, and so wearing an SPF 30 sun cream every day can help to reduce the sun’s impact on your skin. Dressing correctly can also help you lessen sun damage, and Cambio points out that during cool weather you should ‘dress in layers to prevent overheating and perspiring excessively; both can irritate the skin.’ In winter, you can also prevent dry lips by using a lip balm with SPF 15 sun cream. When summer rolls around, light, loose, long-sleeved shirts and a wide hat can help to shade your skin.
5. Get the right moisturiser: Dermatologist Sonia Badreshia-Bansal, MD, advises, ‘Petroleum jelly makes a great moisturiser.’ However, you can also use mineral oil or your favourite cream or lotion – just find one that works for you. Leslie Baumann, MD, director of the Cosmetic Medicine and Research Institute at the University of Miami, recommends rich moisturisers containing shea butter, ceramides, stearic acid, or, her personal favourite, glycerin, as she says, ‘All are rich moisturisers that will help you replenish your skin barrier.’