Dry skin is one of those things which can have many causes, and if your Mum or other family member suffers with dry skin then there’s a chance that it could be a genetic factor. However, there are lots of things which can contribute to dry skin which you may not have realised, so we thought we’d give you a run-down of some of the less-known triggers.
Dry Air
If you live in a house with damp, there’s a good chance you’ll be using some sort of dehumidifier to deal with the problem. The issue with these is that they suck an unnatural amount of moisture out of the air and humans need a certain amount of humidity to function normally. Try not to sleep in a room with a dehumidifier and limit their usage to when you’re out of the house or in another room.
Hot Baths or Showers
Spending a lot of time in a hot bath or shower can also dehydrate your skin and cause vital oils to be stripped away. Try to limit your bath or shower time to 5-10 minutes maximum and try not to have the water too hot. Use a mild cleanser on your face and a conditioning body wash so that the stripping effect isn’t exacerbated.
Timing
Moisturiser needs to be applied directly after washing your face and stepping out of the shower as it needs to be able to lock the excess moisture into your skin. If you wait too long to moisturise your face, it will already be too dry and won’t have the maximum effect.
Indirect Heat
Although sitting directly in front of an open fire, log burner or space heater can seem like a nice way to feel cosy, it can be the quickest way to dry your skin out. Try to heat your space with indirect heat sources and don’t sit too close to them – wrapping yourself in a blanket which has just come off of the radiator is a better solution if you’re the type to feel the cold as it won’t have the same effect on your skin.
Wear Gloves
Hands are one of the most common places to suffer with dry skin, especially in the winter, because of the constant exposure to the cold. Make sure you wear a decent pair of warm but breathable gloves (merino wool is excellent) when you go out in the cold but also wear protective gloves indoors when you use cleaning products and other irritants.