Dry skin
Dry skin untreated can worsen becoming itchy, flaky and irritated.
This can lead to cracks and fissures.
In this state it often becomes painful, infected and may even bleed.
While it usually affects the knees and elbows first, dry skin can also attack ones face.
Dry skin may lead to ichthyosis, xerosis and can be linked to dermatitis, scaly skin and other dermatological conditions including eczema.
Nobody likes scaling, redness and chapping - It’s simply the opposite of normal, smooth, healthy glowing skin.
What causes dry skin?
- The sun – We must keep our face covered when outdoors in the harsh Australian sun (two in three Australians will be diagnosed with skin cancer by the time they are 70). Always wear sunscreen, a wide brimmed hat and sunglasses while you're out in the sun.
- A genetic predisposition – Some people are simply born with drier skin than others.
- Age – the older we get, the drier our skin becomes (generally).
- Excessively long, hot baths and showers. While bathing can temporarily moisturise, it can also remove the skin's acid mantel.
- Commercially manufactured soap – Normal soaps are created to wash away oily stains and as they’re very alkaline in nature they can actually damage the skin. Some soaps are known to trigger allergies. If you have dry skin it is recommended that you use a soap substitute.
- Excessive towel drying – Pat the skin dry (don’t rub it) after taking a bath, shower or swim.
- Being physically active – Sometimes excessive water loss through sweating can cause dry skin. When giving out the skins moisture needs to be replenished. Without moisture in our skin its water content decreases. This can cause it to become dry and itchy.
Dry skin? Avoid the following:
What's the worst thing you can do if you have irritated, dry and itchy skin? Scratch it!
Resist the urge at all costs. Scratching dry skin can damage it more while making it even itchier ( at the very least file your nails so they’re smooth).
Avoid excessive exposure to the sun, wind, air-conditioning, hot water and detergents wherever possible. Obviously this isn’t always possible but these are contributing factors to be aware of.
Other ways to control dry skin
Tone it
Use a quality, hypoallergenic cleansing exfoliator to gently remove dead surface layer skin cells.
Calm it
Invest in a quality mask that contains volcanic ash clay (sometimes called ‘living clay’ due to its rich natural mineral content) to clarify, cool and calm inflamed skin.
Hydrate & Moisturise
A quality moisturiser may reduce Trans Epidermal Water Loss or TEWL (the evaporation of water that can cause dry skin). Active manuka honey is a natural humectant (has the ability to draw moisture from the air and lock it into skin cells) and has been known to nourish, soothe and to rehydrate dry, dehydrated skin.