Whether it’s summer or winter, if your skin often feels dry, this article is for you. We understand how important it is to nurture your skin, as it is the outer layer of your body and also the most vulnerable to environmental changes.
Our skin does a lot for us, like protecting us from the sun’s harmful rays and acting as the body’s first line of defence. In return, it just asks for a bit of care. This care can come in various forms, such as proper hydration, moisturising, and wearing comfortable clothes.
It’s time to take care of your skin with the right approach. In this guide, we will walk you through the natural methods that you can easily incorporate into your daily routine, along with quick tips to choose the best moisturiser for your skin. But before that, let’s understand what causes dry skin. So, let’s get started.
What causes dry skin?
Dry skin, also known as xerosis or xeroderma, can be caused by several reasons, including a change in weather, harsh soap, overexposure to sun rays, or overbathing. Let’s break it down further:
- Climate: Whether it’s summer or winter, dry skin can occur in any season. If you are not moisturising it regularly and not drinking enough fluid, you are more likely to have skin-related issues, especially in an environment that lacks moisture, such as a desert or cold, windy areas.
- Age: As we age, our skin’s natural oil production decreases. Though this process is natural, you can still take steps to keep your skin hydrated and healthy.
- Occupation: Jobs involving outdoor work, be it in the chemical industry or at any construction site, may expose you to harmful particles and may lead to skin-related issues, including dry skin. Washing your hands more frequently can also lead to dry skin.
- Other medical conditions: A few medical conditions, such as diabetes, eczema, or kidney disease, can make your skin prone to dryness.
What are the symptoms of dry skin?
Dry skin is usually easy to identify. The symptoms of dry skin include:
- Roughness
- Tight skin
- Cracking
- Scaling
- Redness or itchiness
- Fine lines or wrinkles
- Pain or burning
Now that we know what dry skin looks like, let’s look at how we can treat it using natural methods.
What are the natural ways to prevent dry skin?
Here are the simple yet effective methods to protect your skin and prevent dryness:
- Drink enough water and keep yourself hydrated.
- Avoid harsh soaps and opt for soap-free cleansers like Cetaphil.
- Use moisturiser to lock the moisture in the skin and avoid dryness.
- Apply moisturiser immediately after bathing.
- Limit your shower to 5-10 minutes. Avoid excessive bathing and hot water baths.
- Use breathable clothes such as cotton, natural fibres, or silk.
- Avoid harsh clothing such as wool or synthetic fibres such as nylon or polyester.
- Use fragrance-free moisturisers.
- You can go with petroleum jelly to moisturise your hands.
Along with these natural remedies, you can choose the right moisturiser based on your skin type to prevent skin damage.
How to choose the right moisturiser for your skin?
Choosing the right moisturiser is crucial no matter what your skin type is. Different moisturisers are packed with certain chemicals, which makes it overwhelming for the user to choose the right one. If you are one of them, no worries. We will make it easy for you to understand the core ingredients a moisturiser contains.
Before choosing a moisturiser, identify your skin type. Ask yourself, is it dry skin, oily skin or does it fall into any other category, such as eczema or sensitive skin? Accordingly, go for the products available.
Let’s look at the core ingredients we can go for when looking into a specific skin type.
Oily skin: Our skin naturally produces oil to protect and repair itself. It locks in the moisture and keeps the skin moisturised during summer and winter. However, it is important to still moisturise your skin to keep it protected. Here are the ingredients to look for while choosing a moisturiser.
- Glycolic Acid
- Salicylic Acid
- Hyaluronic Acid
- Niacinamide (Vitamin B3)
- Retinol
- Clay
Dry skin: Dry skin can be a result of various conditions such as climate, environment, or age. Here are a few core ingredients for your dry skin:
- Ceramides
- Hyaluronic acid
- Niacinamide
- Glycerin
- Dimethicone
- Shea butter
- Urea
- Alpha-hydroxy acid
Sensitive skin: It is a skin condition that is more prone to redness and itching. If you have sensitive skin, you might have experienced symptoms such as frequent itching, burning, and patches on the skin. This can be due to dehydration, certain products or an underlying medical condition. With this skin type, you can go with the following:
- Aloe vera
- Shea butter
- Centella Asiatica
- Green Tea
- Seaweed
- Edelweiss Extract
Itchy skin: For itchy skin, go with hydrocortisone-based moisturisers (for short-term relief).
Eczema: Look for the moisturiser that contains emollients like shea butter, cocoa butter, petroleum jelly, coconut oil, and ceramides.
What to avoid when choosing a moisturiser?
When it comes to your skin, don’t go for every product available. Certain ingredients can worsen dryness or irritation. So, avoid:
- Perfumes or any added colour in your moisturiser.
- Products with alcohol, as this may worsen dryness or irritation.
- Products containing urea or lactic acid if you have itchy skin or eczema.
- Limit the use of strong acids, such as alpha-hydroxy acids, glycolic acid, and retinoic acid, especially if you have sensitive skin.
Conclusion
Dry skin is a common issue, but with the right care and natural habits, it’s completely manageable. By understanding the cause, recognising the symptoms early and following a consistent skincare routine with the right product, you can maintain soft, healthy, and nourished skin all year round.
Remember, hydration starts from within, so drink plenty of water and moisturise regularly, and be gentle with your skin. A little care every day goes a long way in keeping your skin looking and feeling its best.
Check Out: The Role Of Nutrition And Plant Based Foods: Unlocking Radiant Skin
