Tips from skin therapists how to avoid skin dryness

The most popular advice we get when complaining about dry skin is to get a moisturiser. The recommendation is useful, and it works… up to a certain point. There are certain mistakes we do every day that can result in skin dryness. And most of the time, it’s not even about the skincare products we use. Skincare therapists all agree that the key to getting rid of skin dryness is not necessarily in your cream but your daily habits. Here are some recommendations to avoid skin dryness:

Read the label of your shower gel

Just like micellar water and facial cleansing gels, there are certain ingredients in your shower gel that can lead to skin dehydration. Salicylic acid, as well as glycolic acid, are among the active ingredients. They have a powerful anti-aging and rejuvenating properties, however, they can also, in some instances, cause skin dryness. To avoid this, read the label of your shower gel carefully and look for hydrating ingredients such as ceramides, plant-based oils, and hyaluronic acid. Dermalogica Conditioning Body Wash is an excellent option if you want to recreate the experience of a Turkish hammam in your own bathroom. With Tea Tree, Lemon, and Rosemary essential oils, it cleanses the skin without damaging its protective barrier. Clary Sage and Lavender essential oils contribute to the soft and smooth texture of the skin after the shower. With no artificial colour or fragrance, the shower gel can be used by people with all skin types.

Avoid overly hot water for the shower

There are plenty of jokes about women who prefer shower water to be hotter than hell. And it feels terrific to dip into a bathtub filled with hot water and bubbles, especially after a long day at work or when it is cold outside. However, you need to know this practice is not ideal for your skin. Overly hot showers or baths can actually lead to skin dehydration and can also contribute to the occurrence of skin irritations. So, if you noticed that the skin on the delicate areas of the body such as the chest become a bit itchy after a shower, you might want to turn the heat down a notch.

Avoid overly long showers

Since we’re already talking about the body washing routine, it’s important to mention that spending too much time in the shower can also contribute to skin dryness. Skincare specialists recommend a shower no longer than 10 minutes. Also try alternating from hot to cold water for a couple of minutes while rinsing the body, and your skin might benefit from it.

Don’t exfoliate too often

It is true that exfoliation, both of the body and the face, can have amazing benefits for the skin. However, too much exfoliation can lead to dry skin. This is the reason why during the colder months of the year, you should exfoliate no more than once every ten days if you have dry skin. If your skin feels tight and itchy after using the scrub, avoid it altogether and save it for the summer. Even if you don’t use exclusive products for exfoliation purposes, but you are a big fan of the bath sponge, remember that it can have the same effect on your skin. Dermalogica Thermafoliant Body Scrub is a combination of powerful exfoliating ingredients such as lactic acid and natural sea salt and hydrating substances such as White Tea extracts. The bio-lipids in the formula protect the skin barrier, so you don’t have to worry about dryness anymore.

Use hydrating oil or lotion on damp skin

What most people don’t know is that moisturising oils and lotions are meant to be used on damp, not dry skin. This considerably improves their absorption rate, and hence you can really see and enjoy the results they deliver. This means that you should avoid wrapping the towel around you as soon as you jump out of the shower. Instead let the water dry naturally for a minute or two, and then apply the hydrating cream. By using the lotion on damp skin, you get better hydration compared to applying the same lotion after drying the body. It’s also important what kind of moisturiser you use. Dermalogica Body Hydrating Cream has a creamy formula enriched with hydroxy acids that can smooth the skin and improve the texture. It has a hydrating and anti-inflammatory effect due to ingredients such as Green Tea and Chamomile oils. The skin is soft, hydrated, and you can start the day in style!

Stay away from skincare products with high contents of alcohol

If you are struggling with skin dryness, one ingredient that you should avoid at all costs is alcohol. Even if alcohol is usually an ingredient used in facial cleansers, it can be a part of the formula for other body care products. So, once again, check the labels on all products you apply on the body and get rid of the ones with alcohol. Aside from excessive dryness, skincare products with alcohol can also lead to tired, dull-looking skin as alcohol eliminates the skin’s natural oils.

Don’t use acne products, unless recommended by a specialist

When it comes to acne, skincare products can contain highly potent ingredients that can be associated with specific side effects such as dryness, rashes, and even irritation. A skincare therapist or dermatologist will know precisely the doses you need to get good results with minimal side effects. However, using this kind of product if you are not struggling with acne might prove to be a very bad idea. If you have occasional breakouts, first try to find their cause and eliminate it, if possible. If not, using a skincare product designed for local applications and recommended by a Skin Therapist should do the trick.

Use only skin care products suitable for your skin type

This is a rule of thumb when it comes to a good skincare routine, and it’s even more important to follow it if you are confronted with overly dry skin. Keep in mind that even oily and combination skin can get dehydrated too.