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.
DQH Knowledge drop: In your 20s, your skin cell turnover decreases. (Cell turnover is a key component in keeping your skin youthful.) You know what else slows down? Your collagen production. Starting in your 20s, collagen decreases by about 1 percent per year. Should you want to prevent fine lines and wrinkles, start by eliminating behaviors that contribute to premature aging. “If it’s bad for you, it’s bad for your skin,” says dermatologist Michel Somenek.
“Cigarette smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and causes premature wrinkling and a dull skin texture. Making the repeated pursed motion to inhale can also cause smoker’s lines. Alcohol and recreational drugs are toxins for the skin that damage its cellular structure and DNA,” Somenek tells us. “The faster you eliminate vices while you are young, the better chance your skin and body have to recuperate.” Also, adopting an anti-aging routine in your 20s is key. After all, the best offense is a good defense. We spoke to Somenek and experts Joshua Ross and Audrey Kunin to find out more.
Keep reading for the best anti-aging products for your 20s, according to skincare professionals.
Sunscreen
“We all know that the sun is the number one cause of skin aging and starting the prevention in your 20s is very important,” Ross says. “The majority of your sun damage won’t start to appear until you’re in your 30s, so don’t wait until you see it surface or you’ll be behind the curve. Stay ahead of it with a good-quality zinc-based sunscreen worn daily.”
Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen
An invisible sunscreen with SPF 30, plus botanical extracts meant to protect skin with tons of antioxidants. Bonus: It’s clean and fine to use under makeup.
Bareminerals Complexion Rescue™ Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30
Although we recommend you use your SPF and moisturizer separately, we also understand moments when you don’t have time or energy for that extra step. For those times, this bareMinerals moisturizer is a great thing to have on hand.
Vitamin C Serum
“A great introduction to anti-aging is to start with a vitamin C serum in your morning skincare routine,” Ross says. “It’s a powerful antioxidant that will neutralize free radicals and brighten the skin.” He adds that it’s a great way to counteract the effects of the sun’s harmful rays, which, as previously mentioned, are among the biggest causes of premature aging.
Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum
The Drunk Elephant C-Firma is a lightweight serum that promises to give skin a glow by combining the brightening powers of vitamin C with ferulic acid, l-ascorbic acid, and vitamin E. The included sodium hyaluronate is meant to replace hydration loss, so you shouldn’t have to deal with any irritation.
Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum
This potent serum is jam-packed with vitamin C (15 percent, to be exact), which means it’s a potential superstar at both brightening skin and dousing it in antioxidants.
Peptides
Using peptides on your skin has many benefits, says Somenek. “The skin barrier is what defends the body against pollution, UV rays, bacteria, and toxins. It can be damaged by several everyday factors. Using topical peptides aids in building a stronger barrier,” he says. “Peptides comprise elastic fibers, which are a type of protein. These fibers help to make skin appear taut and firm. Peptides can also help repair damaged skin, relieve inflammation, and even out skin tone. Some peptides can kill acne-causing bacteria that is common in 20-somethings.”
Kunin agrees, saying, “Peptides are an excellent entry point for supporting collagen.” She recommends looking for face and eye treatments that contain these collagen-boosting powerhouses.
Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue Cream
This Charlotte Tilbury super-emollient eye cream has a base of coconut oil and shea butter (read: it’s incredibly hydrating). Botanicals plus peptides are meant to help reduce dark circles and boost collagen, respectively.
This creamy moisturizer serves up potent collagen-boosting peptides and pycnogenol, and antioxidant-rich vitamin C. “Instead of sitting on top of the skin, peptides penetrate the outer layer so they go deep. The ‘signals’ they send tell the cells to produce elastin and collagen, which are needed for youthful-looking skin,” explains Somenek.
At-Home Peel Pads
Remember that skin cell turnover fiasco we talked about earlier? One way to help support it is by exfoliating. “Exfoliation is important to help keep skin fresh and luminous,” Kunin says. She recommends using at-home peel pads as an easy and effective way to exfoliate.
“The goal in your 20s is to fight the slowing pace of cell turnover. It is wise to use products that gently exfoliate, yet still remove oil and other impurities. Products that have Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) or Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) are a good choice.”
According to Somenek, you should only exfoliate two to three times a week. “People of all ages are guilty of over-exfoliating and that can be too much of a good thing,” he says.
Dermadoctor Kakadu C Intensive Vitamin C Peel Pad
A few swipes of this Derma Doctor powerful peel pad promise to leave your skin glowing and smooth, thanks to the seven (yes, seven) types of chemical exfoliants, including AHA and BHA. It also contains vitamin C via Kakadu plum extract for added brightening and antioxidant protection.
KEY INGREDIENTS Kakadu plum extract is sourced from the Kakadu plum, a fruit grown in northern Australia. It contains vitamin C, which restores the skin’s natural barrier, increases collagen production, and soothes irritation.
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel Pads
These are the gold standard of peel pads, with a cult following and over 900 five-star reviews on Sephora. They’re easy to use and contain a blend of anti-aging exfoliating acids.
Emollient Night Cream
“In your 20s, you need to start upping the hydration in your skincare routine. You may have been cautious of over-moisturizing because of acne in your teens, but as you enter your 20s, your skin transitions and becomes drier,” Ross says. “I recommend an emollient night cream added into your evening skincare regimen.”
“Twenty-somethings need to make sure that they are not using creams that will clog their pores and cause excess oil production,” says Somenek. Opt for non-comedogenic products.
Cerave Skin Renewing Night Cream
One great choice is the CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream, which is a non-comedogenic night cream that leaves skin soft and glowy. It combines the moisturizing powers of ceramides and hyaluronic acid.
RoC Retinol Correxion Max Hydration Creme
“The best night cream ingredients contain retinol, benzoyl peroxide, and/or salicylic acid or hyaluronic acid. The goal is to moisturize, yet remove excess oil,” says Somenek. This Roc Retinol Correxion cream fits the bill as it contains both hyaluronic acid and retinol so it promises to moisturize while also being non-comedogenic.
