The condition of dry skin can be annoying at times with moisturising your hands so keeping them hydrated at all times.
Some may think that it can be because of any underlying diseases, but at times it is merely because of your subtle habits which have taken a toll on your body’s skin leading to rough and dry skin all around the year.
Let’s take a look at some of the major reasons that keep our skin dry around the year.
1. Usage of soaps and detergents
There are several soaps, detergents, and shampoos that subtract the moisture level from your skin and scalp and remove the natural oil too from your body. It is important to carefully opt for your face and body washes, and include a healthy and good laundry detergent too. Using a moisturising body wash is much better than a harsh body soap which will lead to dry skin around the year, particularly in winter.
2. Hard water
The water quality matters a lot. Tap water contains a high concentration of minerals such as calcium and magnesium, and thus is known as hard water which leads to dry skin, as these minerals leave a film on the skin. These heavy metals turn the oils on the skin into a thick substance which leads to skin conditions such as acne and prevents the moisturisers from being absorbed by the skin. Therefore, either change your water or add good skin-care products to your regime.
3. Medications and retinol in skincare
Salicylic acid is good for treating acne but it might dry your skin. Dryness is a common side effect of salicylic acid and retinol too as it loosens the connection between cells on the skin’s surface. However, they cut down the irritation and small bacterial bumps, but everyday use can lead to a dry skin end to remove the oils that cause acne and blemishes.
4. Dry air
At times the air inside our house can also punish our skin as the air outside. Forced air, especially heat, can draw humidity levels down, making our skin dry and itchy. Therefore, you can use a humidifier that can restore the moisture to the air in your house and set a 30 to 50 percent humidity bar, which reduces swelling, and redness, and soothes dry and chapped skin.
5. Long showers
Long and hot showers might sound tempting to your soul, but the extended period of time especially during the cold months can create issues with your skin and can lead to dry skin with rashes at times. Therefore do not shower for more than 10 minutes and keep the water temperature warm and not super hot.
6. Frequent washing of hands
Some people frequently wash their hands which would lead to dry and cracked skin. This can be a big issue for people working in industries who require frequent washing of their hands. To omit the dry effects of your sanitary habit, prefer using lukewarm water and then wrap it up with a type of lotion or ointment.
7. Ageing issue
As we get older, there is an increased risk of experiencing dry skin which would affect about half of the individuals in the age group going more than 40 years. As we get older, our skin starts producing less oil and gets drier more often. Therefore, start using a good moisturiser and repair the skin barrier.
8. Certain medical conditions
There are certain skin issues such as eczema and psoriasis which make our skin more dry. These skin conditions can also lead to diabetes, thyroid, kidney, HIV, or malnutrition. Therefore, you need to look out for crusting, inflamed areas, intense itchiness, rough skin, flaky skin, scaly patches on the skin, or hyperpigmented skin.