Causes Of Dry Skin

There are times throughout the year when we all suffer from dry skin. Some of us are more prone to this than others depending on our routines, lifestyles and skin conditions. The good news is that in most cases, there are simple steps that we can all take to reduce the dryness and make life a bit more comfortable.

Seasonal Dry Skin

We usually start to notice our skin getting drier in the autumn and winter months. The clocks go back at the end of October and as the nights get longer, we put the central heating on to keep us warm and to make our homes cosy. But while it may be toasty and warm indoors, the central heating reduces the humidity in the air and dries out the skin, often making it feel tight and itchy. A good way to reduce these effects is to use a humidifier in the home which will help to put moisture back into the air. Another way of getting water back into the skin at home is by using a hyaluronic acid serum, which draws in water and holds up to one thousand times its own weight in it. So used in combination with humidifier, the hyaluronic acid has lots of water to draw from your environment making them perfect partners in the battle against dry skin in the winter.

Many of us like to keep our fitness up during the colder months as it helps to keep the winter blues away. This often means spending time outdoors in the cold running or playing sports, not to forget ski-ing. If it’s really cold, skin can get really dry and crack so it’s a good idea to use a good barrier moisturiser – we recommend Swisscode Vitamin F Forte which is full of omega oils to protect the skin from drying out. Don’t forget to keep hydrated too – drinking water is the easiest way to keep the moisture in your body.

Dry Skin at Work

Doctors, nurses and our clinic therapists often experience dry skin as they have to wash their hands frequently as part of their job. As much as possible, it’s best to try to avoid really hot water and harsh soaps which dry out the skin. Supplements containing Omega 3 oils and Vitamin E could help ease dry skin symptoms too. An ongoing solution where you’re washing your hands frequently is to use Vaseline on them to keep as much moisture in as possible. You could try to use it overnight, when you won’t be washing your hands, to get a jump start on locking the moisture in for the following day. You can use your face cream on your hands too; if you have any excess after applying to your face just smooth it over your hands to keep them hydrated.

Try Not to Overdo It

Sometimes, when we notice that our skin is drying out, we use a little more serum or moisturiser in the hope that it will help. In the most part, our skin will take what it needs and we will know if it’s too heavy for our skin as it will feel greasy and the pores will become blocked. If you use a night time Retinol product (great for both ageing skin and acne or spot-prone skin), try not to use too much because this will cause it to work too hard and so make the skin red, dry and flakey – this dryness is a sign it’s doing its job too well which means you need to use less product. Many people mistake this side effect for a reaction. It’s human nature to think the more you use the better, but this is not the case with Retinol. If you do experience these side effects, stop using the product for a few days, moisturise and hydrate your skin in the meantime and get it back to a better condition, and then slowly reintroduce the Retinol to your routine; this is a wonderful ingredient but do be aware of these guidelines when you’re using it.

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Disclaimer: This blog is not to be used for diagnostic purposes. We are all unique which means that our results, recovery and suitability for any type of treatment will vary. Always seek the advice of a professional should you have any health or cosmetic concerns or to discuss treatments specifically for you.