Some people seem to have dry skin year-round, and others suffer from it at the changing of the seasons. No matter when or where dry skin occurs, it can be an unsightly and uncomfortable experience. Learning the causes of dry skin can help us understand how to avoid it better, and easy household solutions can pave the way to much softer, more radiant skin.
Dry winter air
Being exposed to dry air is one of the most common causes of dry skin, especially in the winter. The cold, dry air outside can zap the moisture out of your skin, as well as the dry, hot air pumped out by your furnace indoors.
Aside from using extra moisturizer in the winter months, try sleeping with a portable humidifier in your bedroom and turning down your furnace a few degrees. Bundle up as much as possible when outdoors to avoid any skin contact with the air. Just the act of wearing knee-high socks when going outdoors in the winter can make a noticeable difference to the skin on your ankles and legs.
Long, hot showers
A hot shower after a long day might feel relaxing, but the temperature can wash away your skin's natural oils, leaving your skin dried out and feeling tight. To make matters worse, soaps and shower gels can contain harsh alcohols and other irritants that dry out your skin as well.
The best solution to getting dried out by showers is to limit your exposure to the water by adjusting the temperature from hot to warm and moving the shower head away when doing things like soaping up and shaving. Moisturize before you are completely dry to trap the moisture inside your skin. Use soaps that contain mostly water and natural ingredients to preserve your skin's moisture while getting clean.
Itchy clothing
What feels like a comfortable garment to one person may be irritating to the skin of another. Pay attention to how a piece of clothing feels when you first try it on. If it feels itchy then, chances are it will get even more irritating the more often you wear it.
If you have dry, sensitive skin, stick to loose fabrics that feel comfortable on your skin. If you must wear that wool sweater, make sure to wear a cotton undershirt underneath to form a barrier, keeping your skin protected. These rules of thumb should keep your clothing from making you dry and itchy.
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