These day dry skin is a common condition with many causes, dry skin can be a symptom that indicates a more serious diagnosis. But in most cases, dry skin is caused by environmental factors that remove moisture from the skin. Humidity, hot showers, weather, air-conditioned environments, and harsh soaps can all trigger dry skin. Dry and itchy skin could be a symptom of a skin disease, such as psoriasis or eczema. It could also be the result of an allergic reaction. It could even be a side effect to medication you might be taking.
Although dry skin is common and can affect anyone, there are some things that make you more likely to get it. Your chances of go up depending on:
- Your age. If you’re 40 or older, your chances are higher. Over 50% of older adults have dry skin.
- Where you live. Your odds go up if you live in cold or dry climates without much humidity.
- Your job. If your skin gets wet often during your job, it’s more likely to dry out. Swimming instructors, nurses and hairdressers often have their skin in water or harsh detergents.
- Your genes. Some people get health conditions that cause dry skin from their parents. These include eczema, diabetes, and kidney disease, along with thyroid and other hormone disorders.
The symptoms of dry skin
Dryness isn't the only symptom of dry skin, some other symptoms of dry skin are:
- Itchiness and irritation
- Cracked, rough looking skin
- Tightness
- Pain, bleeding
- Redness of the skin
- Skin that appears shrunken or dehydrated
- Slight to severe flaking, scaling or peeling skin
Some Tips & Tricks to Prevent Dryness
Here are some home care tips that can help address dry, itchy sensitive skin and restore moisture, these steps can help keep your skin healthy:
- Avoid bathing or showering in hot water; use warm water.
- Develop other skin-friendly bathing habits. Keep bathing or showering to 10 minutes or less.
- Avoid harsh, drying soaps. It's best to use gentle skin cleansers with added moisturizers. Choose mild and moisturise soaps that have added oils and fats.
- Keep skin moisturised. Moisturizers provide a seal over your skin to keep water from escaping.
- Moisturise immediately after showering. Gently pat your skin dry with a towel so that some moisture remains. Immediately moisturize your skin with an oil or cream to help trap water in the surface cells.
- Avoid scratching dry skin patches.
- Use a humidifier at home in your room, adds moisture to the air inside your room.
- Avoid exposing your skin to harsh chemicals.
- Drink plenty of water. Boosting your water intake helps hydrate your body and moisturize your skin from the inside out.
- Eat for skin health. The foods you eat play a role in skin health and replenishing your skin moisture.
- Choose fabrics that are kind to your skin.
Using Natural Remedies to Soothe Dryness & Itchiness at Home
- Find plant-based relief, Herbal Oil
- Lots of plants have been used for eczema over the years, like "marigolds, witch hazel, chamomile, aloe, marshmallow, comfrey, yarrow, and many others." Plant-based oils rich in fatty acids can be applied directly to dry skin. For example, the application of evening primrose oil containing a high amount of fatty acids improves the skin’s texture, retains moisture in the skin, and reduces irritation. Other examples of beneficial oils are jojoba, sesame, and sunflower.
- Aloe Vera, freshly pulped Aloe Vera leaves are perfect to calm the irritation that dry skin brings as it acts as a soothing balm for redness and itching.
- Oatmeal is another natural ingredient that can help treat dry skin.
- Create an oatmeal soak by adding oatmeal to your warm bathwater
- DIY an oatmeal honey mask then rub it on your skin. This may be used just for exfoliation and wash off after scrub or leave it on for a few minutes as a hydrating mask.
- Avocado is a well-known natural source of healthy fats and fats make the skin extra moisturized. Making a DIY avocado face mask or body mask is a natural way to moisturize your skin and body, reduce inflammation, and fight wrinkles.
- Milk could also offer relief from dry skin, but not when applied directly to the skin. Apply it by soaking a washcloth with cold milk then press it against your driest, itchiest spots for a few minutes. The lactic acid in milk acts as a mild cleanser, and the fat is extra moisturizing. Milk has natural anti-inflammatory properties.
- Honey is loaded with antioxidant, antimicrobial and humectant properties. It can be applied to the skin can help with symptoms of eczema and itchiness, reduce inflammation and speed up healing.
- Mix a spoonful of honey with a spoonful of olive oil and squeeze of lemon juice. Apply this lotion to dry areas. Keep it for 20 minutes. Wipe off with warm washcloth.
- Homemade Body Butter, typically contains a combination of naturally derived butters (e.g. shea butter or cocoa butter) and herbal oils (e.g. olive, coconut or sunflower) mix and whipped together, and then keep them in small container. Generally, body butter often has a thicker texture but yet very nourishing and moisturising. It can help you protect your skin from dryness as well as rough or patchy skin.
Natural remedies cannot fully cure skin flare-ups, but they can help manage the symptoms and prevent flares. Every time you use or put something on your skin, always remember to start slow. If you are prone to allergies, you may want to do a patch test first and if there is no bad reaction, you may apply it to the rest of the affected area. But if you experience a rash, rinse and do not use it again.
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Soothe Your Dry & Itchy Skin with KOKORO NATURAL Skincare
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