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With each dry autumn and winter season approaching, people with dry skin are always worried. The skin of people like this are usually prone to lacking water, becoming dry and rough, and peeling off. So, how should dry skin be maintained to keep the skin moist, tender, while preventing or correcting itchy problems? First, what is itchy skin?
What Is Itchy Skin?
When you have itchy skin, you tend to have an uncontrolled sensation requiring constant scratching of the epidermis.
In healthy skin, the water content of the outermost layer of the skin ranges from about 10 to 30%, according to the NIH. If it is lower than this level, the skin will appear dry, rough, tight, and desquamated (starts peeling or shedding). One of the symptoms of having dry skin is feeling itchy.
Growing age, lack of sleep, climate change, bathing or washing with hot water, excessive fatigue, and strong alkaline detergents are all main causes of dry skin.
Dry skin can cause itching. Generally seen in adults, itching often starts from one place and gradually spreads to the whole body. It is often paroxysmal, that is, it recurs suddenly especially at night.
In severe cases, there is persistent itching. This condition is common with people who have senile pruritus and winter pruritus, for example.
Why Do Some People Have Dry And Itchy Skin?
Some people may experience dry, tight, and itchy skin after washing their faces. Why? It may be caused by these two reasons.
The Loss of Lipids and the Destruction of Sebum Membranes
If you use a harsh facial cleanser, it will wash away part of the skin lipids. Lipids are the core part of the skin’s moisture retention and an important component of the sebum membrane on the skin’s surface.
After the loss of lipids, the sebum membrane will also be destroyed, and the moisture in the outer layer of the skin under the sebum membrane will take the opportunity to evaporate from the damaged leaks, resulting in a significant drop in skin moisture content.
Loss of the Natural Moisturizing Factor
When we use cleansing products to clean, the surfactants in the cleansing also wash away part of the skin’s natural moisturizing factors. The natural moisturizing factor (NMF) is an important part of the skin to retain moisture. And if there is no natural moisturizing factor, the skin loses its ability to absorb moisture.
After cleansing with cleansing products, the natural moisturizing factor that absorbs water and the lipids that lock water are partly washed away. The moisture absorption and water retention capacity of the skin are also greatly reduced. The water content of the skin also decreases. The face that has just been washed may be tender, but will quickly dry up and become tight.
What Are the Ways to Care for Dry Skin?
Dry skin mainly lacks oil and moisture. Therefore, attention should be paid to good maintenance in winter. This is because cold and dryness will make dry skin more dehydrated and lack oil. These result in having skin roughness, wrinkles, and loss of luster. Here are ten ways to take care of dry skin.
1. Bathe or Wash Your Face with Normal Water
People with dry skin should bathe with caution. You must not bathe with warm or hot water but ordinary or room temperature (around 20°C) water. After leaving the bathroom, you don’t have to dry your body. By doing this and making bathwater evaporate naturally, you will be able to lock moisture back in.
2. Choose a Cream Type Skin That Does Not Contain Alkaline Substances
For dry skin, there is less secretion of oil and the skin is more likely to dry up in autumn. Therefore, you must not choose creams, soaps, and other skincare products with too strong cleaning power.
You must use a mild cleansing product. It is best to choose a cream type that does not contain alkaline substances. Skin products, such as facial cleanser containing glycerin that is less irritating to the skin.
Don’t wash your face with harsh soap. Sometimes you don’t need to wash your face with soap. Just wash it with water. Do not wash your face more than twice a day.
When the skin is very dehydrated, you should avoid using a dry towel to wipe it, just use facial tissue to gently absorb the moisture.
3. Moisturize and Moisturize
For dry skin, it is best to use a lotion with a powerful moisturizing function after every washing or bathing. The lotion can immediately replenish the skin’s moisture and make the skin moisturized.
But it is best to stay away from lotion containing alcohol to avoid irritating the skin. In autumn, pay attention to moisturizing the skin while adding appropriate oils and using creams with rich texture and appropriate nutrients such as Vitamin E.
Especially when you suddenly come into contact with dry and hot outdoor air, you should apply some oily skin cream or foundation cream before going out. This helps you build a protective film on the skin.
4. Steam the Face
Dry skin can also be steamed to speed up facial blood circulation. First, apply some cream on the face, then use an electric heating jug or washbasin to fill hot water. Add an appropriate amount of glycerin and other skincare products. When the steam rises, put the face on the steam until the face gets flushed. You can do this once or twice a week.
5. Make and Apply a Moisturizing Mask
The moisturizing facial mask is also one of the essential skincare solutions for dry skin. In addition to using the masks sold on the market, you can also make your masks. Now we will teach you how to make a honey egg mask at home.
Mix 1 fresh egg yolk, 2 teaspoons of flour, 2-3 drops of olive oil, and 1 teaspoon of honey. Mix them into a thick paste. After the shower, apply it evenly on the face and wash off after about 15 minutes. This mask has the effect of moisturizing the skin and becoming an anti-drying agent.
6. Hydrate Intensively At Night
Nighttime is the best time for skin repair, and the skin absorbs skincare products at night. Therefore, for dry skin, you can use some more powerful hydrating essence before going to bed to add moisture to the skin. This way, the skin will be more supple and beautiful!
7. Humidify
Dry skin has poor resistance to the outside elements, so it is very important to prevent exposure to the sun in summer and severe cold in winter. To maintain indoor humidity, a humidifier can be used if necessary. In particular, avoid sudden contact with dry and cold outdoor air from a high-humidity room. Before going out, apply some oily skin cream or foundation cream to build a protective film on the skin.
8. Choose Non-Allergenic Skincare Products
Dry skin is also prone to allergies in autumn, so you must take a skin allergy test before using skincare products. Try to choose skincare products that do not contain alcohol, fragrances, and preservatives. Try to stay away from sensitive sources such as essence, pollen, dust, etc.
To resolve skin itching, in addition to applying skincare products, pay special attention to hydrating, especially drinking a glass of warm water every day after getting up and before going to bed.
9. Diets
People with dry skin should take more foods that are high in fat and vitamins in their diet. These can be milk, eggs, liver, butter, fish, mushrooms, pumpkins, and fresh fruits. In the dry season like autumn, you must pay special attention to maintenance, moisturizing with water splashes, drinking, and eating more fatty foods.
To solve skin itching, in addition to applying skincare products, we should also pay attention to hydrating, especially drinking a glass of warm water every day after getting up and before going to bed.
By preventing skin dryness, you delay skin aging. Also, we must ensure adequate sleep and don’t stay up late at night. Don’t smoke; smoking will make the skin dry and rougher.
10. Avoid Spicy Foods
Eat less spicy, fatty, and other irritating foods, and try not to drink strong alcohol and strong coffee. Eat more foods rich in vitamin A, β-carotene, and vitamin E, such as red-yellow and dark green fruits and vegetables, walnuts, sunflower seeds. They can increase skin metabolism.
Eat more whole grains and fruits and vegetables with high dietary fiber content. This helps maintain smooth stool, and smooth stool can effectively excrete allergic and itchy substances accumulated in the body in time.
Final Thoughts
We have recommended to you several points of care for managing dry skin and body itching in winter. Always ensure you stay moisturized, the air is humidified, and try out the suggested homemade mask, face steaming, and use moisturizing lotions.
Also, it is recommended to appropriately reduce the number of baths. Do not use hot water when bathing, and ensure the water temperature doesn’t do over 20 degrees celsius. Do not use soaps such as excessively alkaline soaps to reduce skin irritation.
Of course, some itching is not simply a problem on the skin surface. Skin itching may also be a sign of some major diseases, such as liver and gallbladder disease, kidney disease, diabetes, visceral malignant tumor, AIDS, etc. These primary diseases must be treated in time.
