Generally speaking, the most common cause of dry skin is the lack of water and moisture. However, this isn’t always the case because there are sneaky things that may cause dry skin in some people.
If you suffer from dry skin and are on the hunt for remedies that can bring back the suppleness and moisture of your skin, take a look at these unexpected dry skin culprits to see how you can combat them.
Harsh Soaps and Detergents
Cleansing your face and body with harsh soaps and cleansers will dry out your skin by stripping its natural oils. Harsh laundry detergents and some fabric softeners can also make your skin parched.
So, when buying face and body cleansers, opt for mild products that contain hydrating and moisturizing ingredients. When buying detergents, look for gentle laundry soaps and mildly scented fabric conditioners.
Fragrance
In some people prone to dry skin, fragrance can easily irritate their skin and make it more parched, so avoid skincare products packed with synthetic fragrances.
If you must have some fragrance in your products, like your body wash and lotion, for instance, look for products that contain natural vanilla, honey, citrus and lavender extracts, as well as body butters like shea and cocoa to clean, moisturize and freshen your skin with nondrying and clean-smelling scents.
Over-washing Your Hands
Washing your hands is great and all, but over-washing can cause the delicate skin of your hands to dry out easily. To reduce the drying effects of your aggressive hand washing routine, opt for a mild cream-based cleanser and lukewarm water.
After each wash, follow up with a moisturizing hand cream while damp to lock in moisture. Consider the Hand Cream from Kedma Cosmetics Philippines, enriched with moisturizing plant extracts and Dead Sea minerals. It absorbs fast and penetrates deeply to keep your skin soft and hydrated.
Retinoids and Other Acne Medications
Most chemical exfoliators for treating acne and other skin conditions such as retinoids, benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid and glycolic acid can zap the moisture out of your skin. If possible, ask your dermatologist if you can switch products or reduce the frequency of application. You can also consider buffering the effects of your acne by putting on moisturizer first before your acne treatment.
Your Water
Hard water contains an excessively high amount of minerals, such as zinc, lead and magnesium, which leave some kind of film on your skin and dry it out. These minerals essentially transform your skin’s oils into a substance that clogs your glands, preventing skincare products from being absorbed by your skin. They also worsen skin conditions like rosacea and acne.
If you have hard water at home, invest in a water filtration system for reducing your water’s mineral content. Also, add chelators such as vitamins C and A in your skincare routine to offset the effects of hard water.
Now that you know what might be causing your perpetually dry skin, you can begin treating it to experience the best skin of your life. If all else fails, however, you might be suffering from more than just dry skin, so it’s best that you get yourself examined by a dermatologist for best results.