How to Get Rid of Dry Skin on the Body
Dry skin goes hand in hand with winter, especially on the body. When the temperatures drop, we wear more clothes and focus too much on keeping warm, which means personal hygiene falls by the wayside. Today we’ll give you some tips on how to get rid of dry skin on the body and how to avoid peeling and discomfort.
How to Get Rid of Dry, Dead Skin?
Fortunately, there are many different ways to get rid of dry, dead skin on the face and body. It’s important to remember that all products meant for the body are usually too harsh for facial skin. This sometimes explains why many of us fall into the trap of focusing our skincare on the face and forgetting about the body. In the end, your face will show signs of aging and dryness more quickly. Here’s an example of a personal care routine and how it can help treat signs of dry skin:
Cleanse and wash your body every day, especially during the winter, otherwise dead skin cells, excess oil, and sweat can accumulate. Over time, flaky, dry patches can develop on the skin and lead to rashes on the back and chest.
Use a body scrub weekly, and remember to use it more often if you have particularly dry skin. This can be a physical exfoliation using ingredients like grains or pumice stones, or a liquid exfoliation using AHAs or BHAs (the most popular being lactic acid). You’ll find that many body wash formulas contain acids to aid in exfoliation.
Body brushing has an added benefit as it not only removes lingering dead skin cells, but it also stimulates blood circulation, making skin appear healthier and smoother. However, be sure to limit body brushing as this can be too harsh for the face.
Consistency is key. A good personal care routine has the same benefits as a skin care routine. You’ll notice that the skin on your body becomes noticeably smoother and continues to improve over time.
Consider your skin type so that you can find the best products for your routine. For example, a thicker, more nourishing face cream is better for someone with dry skin.
When your skin shows signs of dryness, here are some treatments you can try. If you try at least one of these, you’ll notice an improvement in your skin’s condition.
Why is my skin suddenly dry and flaky?
If you find your skin is suddenly becoming dry and flaky, it could be due to:
Heat – Heat in any form, whether it’s from central heating, fireplaces, radiators etc, can reduce humidity and dry out the skin.
Weather – Seasonal changes can have a big impact on skin health and appearance. As temperatures drop, so does humidity, meaning skin tends to become drier in the winter.
Harsh soaps and cleansers – Many soaps and cleansers contain ingredients that are too harsh on the skin, causing it to lose moisture and become uncomfortable.
Hot showers and baths – Yes, believe it or not, the temperature of your bath water can affect your skin, especially if you spend a lot of time in the bath.
Skin conditions – If you find yourself developing patches of dry skin that weren’t there before, you could have a form of eczema or psoriasis, both of which can occur if the skin becomes too dry. If you’re concerned you may have eczema, it’s best to contact your GP for further advice.
Your age, lifestyle and area of residence also need to be considered when trying to understand why you’re suddenly experiencing dry and flaky skin. If you want to tackle the problem in the simplest and most effective way, check out simple personal care remedies you can try at home.
What are the best remedies for dry skin?
Here are some simple yet effective changes you can make that will have the biggest impact in treating dry skin:
Stop taking long hot baths and showers
As mentioned earlier, bathing with water that is too hot can worsen the skin and lead to more dryness. To avoid discomfort, try the following:
Limit bath time to less than 10 minutes
Keep doors etc. closed to keep humidity high
Use fragrance-free body wash
Use only warm water
Avoid rubbing and pat dry
Apply moisturizer while skin is still slightly damp so the cream can lock in moisture
Increase moisture in the surrounding air
Use a humidifier to maintain humidity and ensure your skin doesn’t dry out
Don’t use harsh clothing and detergents
If your skin feels dry, it can easily become irritated. Wear cotton or silk under thick sweaters that contain wool.
Use hypoallergenic detergents.
Use creams and ointments instead of lotions on your skin.
Choose ingredients that nourish the skin, such as shea butter, jojoba oil, glycerin, and hyaluronic acid.
Use ointments or creams, as they are thicker and generally lock in moisture better.
These four changes are the best starting point to treat dry skin in the most effective and quickest way. You can also combine them with other tips we mentioned earlier to get rid of dry skin on your body.
I hope you found some helpful tips on how to get rid of dry skin on your body in this blog. Once you establish a sound personal care routine and put the same effort into maintaining it, you will be amazed at the changes in your skin.
