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How to Protect Yourself From Dry Skin

How to Protect Yourself From Dry Skin

Dec. 9th, 2021

In the winter time, many people experience dry skin because there is a lack of moisture in the air. Dry skin occurs when your body loses water too quickly and can’t replenish it, causing your skin to dry out.

The outside of the skin, the epidermal skin, acts as a “glue” that keeps your skin cells flat and in place. The epidermal layer uses water to help keep these skin cells together, but inadequate hydration will cause the dryness, flaking, and cracking that is typically associated with dry skin.1

Keeping your body hydrated and preventing dry skin is important to reducing your risk of skin infections and other skin-related complications. Here’s some information about dry skin and how you can help prevent it this season.

What Causes Dry Skin?

For some people, they only experience dry skin seasonally; for others it can be a lifelong condition.

A number of different factors can cause dry skin, including your age, health, skin products, location, and time spent outside.

Signs of dry skin include:2

  • Redness
  • Rough skin
  • Gray skin
  • Itchiness
  • Skin tightness, especially after showering, bathing, or swimming
  • Flaking
  • Scaling
  • Peeling
  • Cracks that bleed

While anyone can experience dry skin, certain groups of people are at a higher risk for it. Some of these groups include:3

  • Middle aged and older. As you age, your skin produces less oils that keep your skin soft and youthful. One of these oils is called sebum, and after your 40s your skin produces less of it.
  • Medications. There are certain medications that are known to increase your risk for dry skin. Some of these medications include acne medications, antihistamines, statins, and diuretics.4
  • Skin color. People with fair, black, or brown skin are more likely to experience dry skin than those who have a medium complexion.
  • Low temperature. As the temperature lowers outside, your skin is more prone to becoming dry due to the lack of moisture in the air.
  • Vitamins and minerals. Vitamin A, Vitamin D, Iron, and Zinc are all vitamins and minerals that have been linked to dry skin.
  • Wet work. Any work that involves putting your hands through the water or chemicals can cause your skin to dry out. Professions such as hair dressers, lifeguards, florists, cooks, nurses, and metal work experience dry skin.
  • Skin Conditions. Skin conditions such as itchy skin, atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, and ichthyosis have all been found to contribute to drier skin.

How to Prevent DrySkin                                        

Use Warm Water to Bathe

When you bathe or shower, using hot water can dry out your skin. That’s because hot water can strip the moisture and oils that keep your skin hydrated, which in turn can cause your skin to become dry.

The main layer that keeps your skin hydrated is the epidermis, which contains keratin cells that contribute to keeping your skin healthy. Disrupting these keratin cells not only causes the skin to dry but can also induce conditions such as eczema and skin irritation.5

It has also been found that less time in the water is optimal for keeping your skin hydrated. It’s recommended to bathe for 15 minutes at most to prevent your skin from drying out from hot water. For showers, using warm instead of hot water can help protect your skin from the heat.6

Avoid Drying Chemicals

One of the main reasons those with certain professions such as cooks, hairdressers, and swimmers have dry skin is because they are exposed to different chemicals that can strip the oils off the skin. This includes products such as soaps and chemicals such as chlorine that can make the skin lose moisture.7

Some of the chemicals in products known to dry out your skin include:8

  • Retinoid. These are usually found in products used for acne, psoriasis, and wrinkles.
  • Benzoyl Peroxide. This is found in acne products, but it can also cause dry skin, itching, and redness.
  • Alcohol. Gels and lotions contain high amounts of alcohol that can cause skin dryness because alcohol is commonly used to help ingredients penetrate skin.
  • Salicylic Acid. Salicylic acid can dry out the skin because of its exfoliating capabilities.
  • Fragrances. Fragrances are a leading cause of skin allergies and can leave skin feeling dry or flaky.

The next time you’re at the store, read the labels to find out if the products you are using have chemicals that dry out the skin.

Dress for the Weather

Low temperatures make your skin more prone to dryness because there is less moisture in the air, which can cause your pores to become drier. Studies show that your skin loses up to 25% of its moisture during the winter months.9

To prevent your skin from drying out, wearing hats, gloves, scarves, and other winter gear can help shield your skin from the cold temperature and winds that come with the season.

Limiting your exposure to the colder weather can also help your skin retain moisture. Try to only go outside in cold weather whenever it’s necessary, and avoid going out at night when the temperature is at its coldest.

Stay Hydrated

When your body is dehydrated, one side effect is that it is incapable of regulating the skin. Our bodies are 60% water, which plays a role in maintaining our temperature and keeping our cells functioning.10

Hyaluronic acid is a molecule found in our cells that helps keep our skin healthy. It uses moisture to help bind cells together and regulates the amount of moisture found in our cells. Studies show that hyaluronic acid can improve dry skin as well as protect the skin against wrinkles and aging.11

Staying hydrated can give your cells the water they need to keep your skin from drying out. Some ways you can stay hydrated include drinking more water and eating foods such as fruits and vegetables with high water content.

Wear Lotion

Lotion and other moisturizing products can help keep water locked in your skin, which can prevent dryness. Moisturizers are an option for people who experience frequent dry skin.

It’s recommended to moisturize after bathing, shaving, exfoliating, or showering because these activities are known to strip oils off your skin and cause it to dry out. The skin on your face, neck, and chest are the most vulnerable to losing moisture and shed skin cells more quickly. Daily moisturizing can help protect these areas from dry skin.12

However, be cautious: over-moisturizing or using the wrong products for your skin type can cause more harm than good. If you have any questions about what type of moisturizer you should use, consult a dermatologist.

Use a Humidifier

During the winter time, using a humidifier can help increase moisture levels in the air. Humidifiers are designed to give your rooms enough moisture to prevent your skin from drying out.

It’s important that you purchase the right humidifier for your room to ensure that the room has enough moisture but not too much because that can cause dust mites, mold, and bacteria. Generally, the ideal amount of moisture in your home should be 30-50%. In colder areas, the humidifier may need to be set to 30-40% to prevent window condensation.13

There are different shapes and sizes of humidifiers as well as two different types: warm and cool mist. Warm mist humidifiers heat water inside them to a boil, which turns into steam.14 Cold mist humidifiers are designed mostly to help people experiencing colds and allergies because the way they distribute moisture helps clear nasal passages.15

Choose the right humidifier that meets both your room and personal needs to help protect yourself from dry skin.

Avoid Fragrances

Some fragranced products, including detergents and perfumes, may cause skin irritation that can lead to dry skin. Ingredients such as benzoyl alcohol, limonene, and linalool have been found to irritate dry, sensitive skin.16

One reason why fragrances affect sensitive skin types is because sensitive skin is thinner and had less protective layers. This can cause redness, itchiness, and dry patches if the product is used directly on the skin.17

Because fragrances are usually an enhancement of a product and not a necessity, try to avoid using fragranced products to protect your skin. You can find soaps, detergents, and other products that clean without the added fragrances that cause skin irritation.

Saber Healthcare is an organization dedicated to providing consultant services to long term care providers. This article is for informational purposes and is not meant to be seen as professional advice. Please consult with a medical expert before relying on the information provided.

Sources

  1. https://www.health.harvard.edu/womens-health/what-to-do-about-dry-skin-in-winter
  2. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dry-skin/symptoms-causes/syc-20353885
  3. https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/a-z/dry-skin-causes
  4. https://www.singlecare.com/blog/medications-that-cause-dry-skin/
  5. https://www.healthline.com/health/cold-shower-vs-hot-shower
  6. https://www.byrdie.com/the-5-best-ways-to-banish-dry-skin-forever-3013187
  7. https://www.pennmedicine.org/updates/blogs/health-and-wellness/2017/february/dry-skin
  8. https://www.womenshealthmag.com/beauty/a19892576/avoid-dry-skin/
  9. https://www.everydayhealth.com/hs/dry-skin-relief/dr-wu-causes-of-dry-skin/
  10. https://www.usgs.gov/special-topic/water-science-school/science/water-you-water-and-human-body?qt-science_center_objects=0#qt-science_center_objects
  11. https://www.adashiko.com/blogs/news/collagen-and-hydration
  12. https://www.utmedicalcenter.org/the-importance-of-moisturizing/
  13. https://www.consumerreports.org/cro/humidifiers/buying-guide/index.htm
  14. https://www.thehealthy.com/cold-flu/best-humidifier/
  15. ttps://www.everlastingcomfort.net/blogs/comfy-reads/what-is-a-cool-mist-humidifier-used-for
  16. https://int.eucerin.com/skin-concerns/dry-skin/scented-products
  17. https://dryskinadvice.com/is-fragrance-in-skincare-bad-for-skin/
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