'Tis the season for dryness. As the air gets chilly, everything gets dry. Just the other day I stepped outside and my hair instantly dried up, but this article isn’t about hair. Surprisingly rather than talking about hair, we’re going to be touching on dry skin. I think we can all agree that with the weather changing we are experience issues with moisture. In a previous article I talked about how to deal with dry natural hair, but how do we protect our beautiful skin? Despite our melanin being about to protect us from harmful UV rays in summer, in the winter we struggle. Renowned cardiologist Dr. Oz acknowledges that darker skin tones are prone to dryness when he says: “Scientific studies show, for instance, that black skin does not retain as much water as white skin.” Knowing this is the case, it is time to take charge of OUR skin and how’s here.
How can we help prevent our skin from getting dry in the first place? There are a number of ways to keep our skin nice and healthy, but here are some quick and easy tips:
1.) ALWAYS stay moisturized
It is important to always try to keep lotion and lip balm on you at all times. I recommend keeping a small bottle and a stick of lip balm is multiple locations so you always have one. Although lotion and lip balm are important factors, they aren’t the only ones. Soap is another thing that goes into stay moisturized. When picking out a good soap, rather than getting the best scent you should keep in mind if it will dry out your skin. I personally have a tendency tp gravitate towards shea butter and Dove’s bar soap. Both product leave my skin feeling amazing.
2.)Drink water
I’m sure we have all heard of water is the key to flawless skin. With dry skin, water can help to restore that lost moisture.
3.)Consider getting a humidifier and watching the temperature you keep your thermostat
Humidifiers can be a little on the pricey side, but they're the best way to put moisture back into the air. If you don’t have a chance to ever get one, it is perfectly fine. As soon as it gets cold out we all rush to turn on the heat. It is okay to prefer to stay warm, the recommended temperature around this time is between 68° and 75°.
4.) Avoid using alcohols
Many of us wear make-up and remove it with our everyday make-up wipes. Although the feeling of having a face free of make-up is nice, what about the after effect. Make-up wipes typically have alcohol infused in them adding to our skin troubles.
5.)Watch your diet
Just like everything else regarding our bodies, our diet is the center of our solution. Foods such as nuts, avocados, cucumbers, fish, and sweet potatoes include a number different vitamins that fight against the dryness of skin.
6.)Make sure when you shower, the water isn’t too hot
After a long day, it is ideal for us to end our day with a nice hot shower. Sadly what feels good isn’t always right. Dermatologists recommend replacing our long hot showers with warm 5-10 minute. On top of that, we should dab dry and moisturize straight out the shower.
If you’re already struggling with dry skin and working to get rid of it, how are a few remedies to try out:
1.) Coconut and sunflower seed oil
In a 2004 study, coconut also improve hydration and increase in skin surface lipid levels. In a 2013 experiment, sunflower seed oil was found to improve hydration.
2.) Oatmeal
After constructing an experiment in 2015, oatmeal was discovered anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant capabilities.
3.) Aloe vera
In a 2003 study, allow aloe vera was found to be an ultimate dry skin healer. After applying the aloe and covering the area, signs of dryness, dermatitis, and wrinkles decrease.
4.) Honey
In a 2012 experiment, honey was found to be beneficial to a number of medical uses ranging from skin to bad breath. On the cosmetology side of things, honey and and beeswax act as good moisturizers and tissue healer.
5.) Milk
In 2015, they found that drinking milk can help improve dry skin due to the dietary milk phospholipids in it. The dietary milk phospholipids help to suppress skin inflammation.
References
Agero, A L, and V M Verallo-Rowell. “A Randomized Double-Blind Controlled Trial Comparing Extra Virgin Coconut Oil with Mineral Oil as a Moisturizer for Mild to Moderate Xerosis.” Dermatitis : Contact, Atopic, Occupational, Drug., U.S. National Library of Medicine, Sept. 2004, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15724344.
Danby, S G, et al. “Effect of Olive and Sunflower Seed Oil on the Adult Skin Barrier: Implications for Neonatal Skin Care.” Pediatric Dermatology., U.S. National Library of Medicine, 20 Sept. 2012, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22995032.
E. R. H. S. S. Ediriweera, and N. Y. S. Premarathna. “Medicinal and Cosmetic Uses of Bee’s Honey – A Review.” Ayu, Medknow Publications & Media Pvt Ltd, 2012,
Morifuji, M, et al. “A Novel Mechanism for Improvement of Dry Skin by Dietary Milk Phospholipids: Effect on Epidermal Covalently Bound Ceramides and Skin Inflammation in Hairless Mice.” Journal of Dermatological Science., U.S. National Library of Medicine, June 2015, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25816721.
Reynertson, K A, et al. “Anti-Inflammatory Activities of Colloidal Oatmeal (Avena Sativa) Contribute to the Effectiveness of Oats in Treatment of Itch Associated with Dry, Irritated Skin.” Journal of Drugs in Dermatology : JDD., U.S. National Library of Medicine, Jan. 2015, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25607907.
West, D P, and Y F Zhu. “Evaluation of Aloe Vera Gel Gloves in the Treatment of Dry Skin Associated with Occupational Exposure.” American Journal of Infection Control., U.S. National Library of Medicine, Feb. 2003, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12548256.