Your Guide to Preventing and Treating Dry Skin
Dry skin can be frustrating, uncomfortable, and unsightly. However, with the right knowledge and body care routine, we can keep our skin moisturized, smooth, and glowing. Let’s review some common causes of dry skin and tips to help you to prevent dry skin and treat it.
Common Causes of Dry Skin
Weather – Changing weather and dry climates can send your skin on a roller coaster ride. Colder climates or climates that are dry with low humidity can disrupt the skin's ability to retain moisture.
Maturing Skin – The truth is that our skin changes as we age. As we grow older, our skin produces less oil, which can lead our skin to look dull and drier.
Harsh Soaps & Cleansers – Be aware of what you are using to cleanse your skin. Using harsh soaps and cleansers can strip the skin of its natural moisture balance.
Hot showers – Who doesn’t love a nice long hot shower. However, prolonged exposure to hot water can strip the skin of its natural oils and can contribute to increased dryness.
Tips to Prevent & Treat Dry Skin
Hydration, Hydration, Hydration. Drink plenty of water throughout the day to keep your skin hydrated from the inside out. After showering, pat your skin dry, leaving it a little damp, then apply a rich moisturizer to lock in the hydration. Here’s one of our favorites: Coco Chiloso Coco Cream. It contains hyaluronic acid that can help your skin to hold on to moisture, leaving your skin looking and feeling hydrated throughout the day.
Invest in a Humidifier. If you live in a drier climate, a humidifier can add moisture to the air. Even if you don’t live in a dry climate, the air tends to be drier in the winter months. A humidifier can help to combat the dryness that comes with the changing temperatures and seasons.
Opt for a Gentle Cleanser. Gentle, moisturizing cleansers will cleanse skin without stripping it of its natural oils like some traditional soaps that can be harsher on the skin. Also, note that lots of bubbles are not always a good thing when it comes to your cleanser. Often times, companies rely on strong surfactants to create lots of bubbles, which can throw off the skin’s natural pH leading it to feel drier. Try our Coco Cream Cleanser. This milky, moisturizing cream cleanser can be used to wash the skin while protecting the skin’s natural protective barrier from moisture loss.
Try Exfoliation. Incorporate gentle exfoliation into your body care routine to remove dead skin cells and to allow for better absorption of your moisturizers. A word of caution though, too much exfoliation can be damaging to the skin and make skin dryness worse. Try a gentle exfoliant once a week to start and make sure to follow the instructions on the packaging. Here’s one of our favorite exfoliants: Coco Chiloso Café Scrub. This body scrub delivers gentle exfoliation while the coffee and spices wake up and soothe the skin.
Use Hyaluronic Acid. We have mentioned it before because we love this ingredient so much for moisturizing the skin. This powerhouse ingredient can hold on to 1000 times its weight in water. It attracts and retains moisture to help the skin to plump and hydrate. At Coco Chiloso, this is one of our favorite ingredients to use in our body care products. For an in-shower product that contains hyaluronic acid, try the Coco Chiloso Cream Cleanser. After the shower, lock in the moisture with our Coco Chiloso Coco Cream to give your skin ultimate hydration. Both of these body care products contain hyaluronic acid as a star ingredient.
Lifestyle Matters. Hydrate from the inside out by drinking plenty of water throughout the day. Incorporate water-rich fruits and vegetables, as well as healthy fats to feed your skin with the essential nutrients it needs to look and feel its best. Nix the long hot showers, and instead try showering with lukewarm water or shortening your hot showers to prevent further drying out of the skin. Lastly, protect your skin from the elements. Shield your skin from extreme weather conditions by wearing protective clothing and using sunscreen.
Dry skin is a common issue, but with the right body care routine, you can keep your skin healthy and hydrated. Staying hydrated from the inside out, choosing gentle cleansers, moisturizing regularly, and protecting your skin from the elements are just a few ways to keep dry skin woes at bay. Remember, if you have persistent or severe skin dryness, there’s no shame in seeking the advice of a professional. It's always a good idea to consult a dermatologist for personalized advice and recommendations for your specific skin concerns.