You might be wondering, “Why is my skin so dry even when I moisturize?” Our answer to that is sometimes keeping moisture in the skin isn’t as easy as it sounds. You could be doing all the right steps and still experience skin dryness, flakiness and discomfort. In this case, it’s a good idea to take a closer look at what might actually be causing your skin to be dehydrated. Once you’ve figured out the underlying cause, it’s a lot easier to find a solution. From environmental aggressors to gaps in your skin care routine, read our guide to 5 common causes of dry skin.
Hydrated skin starts from the inside out. If your skin is showing signs of dryness or dehydration, start by looking into your diet. You may not be drinking enough water – aim to drink at least 2L a day. You can also replenish your hydration levels by eating foods with a high-water content, like watermelon, strawberries, celery and iceberg lettuce which contains over ninety percent of water.
Notice that when it’s winter, your skin becomes more prone to dryness? This is because when the weather gets cooler, lower temperatures coupled with high winds strip your skin of moisture and leave it feeling tight and dry. Keep your skin moisturised with a product to create a protective barrier over the skin.
Another environmental aggressor you need to look out for is dry air. You’re more likely to experience dry air in warmer climates and in spaces with air conditioning. Dry air strips your skin of moisture at a faster rate than normal. To combat this, keep the surface of your skin supple by using a hydrating lotion.
Our skin’s ability to ward off the effects of environmental stressors is determined by something called a pH level. How acidic or alkaline your skin is can drastically affect your hydration levels. If you’re experiencing dryness, chances are your skin has high pH and is too alkaline – you need to balance out your pH levels, so your skin is able to protect itself more effectively. There are many causes of alkalinity, but common causes include over exfoliating and overuse of masks. So, try and reduce exfoliating to once a week or two.
Not all skin care products are created equally. Products that use synthetic ingredients can be harsh on the skin and strip away your skin’s natural oils. Take a closer look at your skin care ritual and get rid of the products that deplete your skin of moisture. A good way to figure this out is seeing if your skin feels tight or dry after use.
Stay safe and hydrated!