Troubled by itchy and flaky skin? Does the unsightly appearance of your dry skin make you want to take cover whenever someone approaches you? Well, if it is of any consolation, you are not alone in this irksome situation. In fact, experts agree that nearly everyone suffers from this irritating skin condition every now and then.
Dry skin does not only look unattractive, it may even progress to contact dermatitis, a condition wherein the topmost layer of the skin becomes cracked, rough and scaly. Well, I guess nobody wants to suffer from that. Just take a quick look at the large selection of skin care products in an average department store and you will understand what I mean!
What causes the skin to dry up?
Under normal conditions, the fluids produced by the sweat glands and other underlying tissues work to keep the skin moist and supple. The sebaceous glands then produce natural oils to help keep these fluids in their rightful places (at the topmost layer of the skin).
Sadly, however, there are a lot of factors that contribute to the eventual drying of the skin. Among these are genetics, age, low humidity, our bathing habits and the harsh chemicals found in most everyday products. Let us take a look at how these factors affect normal skin conditions.
. Genetics. Some people have skin that just does not hold moisture as much as most people do while others may have sweat glands that function less actively than most. For these people, special skin care routines should be followed just to keep their skin from drying.
. Age. It is an undeniable fact that as we grow older, our sebaceous glands begin to produce less oil. This eventually leads to an impaired ability of the skin to hold down moisture.
. Humidity. Low humidity is perhaps one of the greatest contributors to this problem. Do you notice how your skin becomes more prone to drying during the harsh winter months? This is because the cold, dry winter air literally robs the skin of its moisture. To protect skin during these periods, an appropriate skin care routine should be followed.
. Bathing rituals. You may enjoy taking leisurely long hot baths and believe that these help in your total skin care regimen. But has it ever dawned upon you that you are doing more harm than good? This may sound ironic but water can actually rob your skin of its precious moisture. Taking long baths in hot water or taking a bath or a shower several times a day eventually damage the essential proteins in the skin which work to keep it moist and young-looking. Be sure to remember this tiny nugget of information the next time you head for the bath or the shower!
. Harsh chemicals. We commonly use everyday products, which might contain harsh chemicals. Detergents, household cleansers and chemical solvents can definitely damage the outer layer of the skin. So be sure to avoid direct contact with these products the next time you do you household chores.
To maintain a healthy and youthful looking skin, it is essential to take care of your skin properly. Here are some simple skin care tips that you might want to consider:
. Keep you skin moisturized at all times. The best time to lather on your favorite moisturizer is right after taking a bath while your skin is still damp. For maximum protection, choose one with a thick consistency since the thicker the moisturizer, the more oil it contains.
. Limit the time you spend in the bath or under the shower. If you really needed a long warm bath, be sure to lather on your moisturizer immediately after bathing.
. Choose your bath time buddies well. If you chronically suffer from dry skin, consider shifting to milder soaps. Using bath oils and avoiding body scrubs might also help in retaining moisture in your skin.
You cannot practically avoid all the things that can cause dry skin in your everyday life. But by following these simple skin care tips, you can definitely prevent dry skin from setting in!
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