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Dry skin is one of the most annoying effects of the harmattan in dry season. It can be uncomfortable and without proper treatment and care can cause flaking, irritation and itchiness. In worst case scenarios, the skin can even crack, thus exposing the body to infection. If you want to avoid looking like a desert tortoise, you’ll have to take a few precautionary measures. Several methods exist to ease the discomfort of this condition. Most of them are free or cost next to nothing and are easy to perform as well as inculcate into your daily life. Some of them are:
1. Shower with lukewarm water: Hot water strips the skin of its natural oil barrier, thus resulting in dryness and itching. To combat this, bathe quickly and in lukewarm water. Skin care experts recommend short, warm showers or baths that last no longer than 5 to 10 minutes. The hotter your bathing water, the more moisture it will take out from your skin and the faster it will take out that moisture. Also, exfoliating your skin a few times a week while bathing will help new skin cells to come up by removing older dull skin. Use a soft washcloth to buff your skin once or twice a week. Note however that if over exfoliation occurs, your skin’s oils will still be depleted and dry skin will recur.
2. Cleanse lightly: Use a mild soap or body wash that contains moisturizers. Harsh soaps may contain drying ingredients, which can worsen your skin’s condition. Try a number of brands to find the one that leaves your skin feeling soft, not snug and dry. You might also consider a cleanser that contains ceramides (fatty molecules that make up the outer barrier of your skin) as they help the skin hold in moisture. Some skin care products use synthetic ceramides to replace those we lose with age. Finally on this point, try to soft-pedal on toners, peels, and other astringents made with alcohol, which is drying. When you exfoliate, don’t scrub too firmly or excessively as it can irritate and thicken the skin.
3. Moisturize quickly: Dry skin needs moisture. Contrary to popular belief, moisturizers do not add moisture to the skin. They only trap existing water in the skin, preventing the water from evaporating. To trap water from a bath or shower in the skin, moisturizer must be applied within 3 minutes of bathing. Applied frequently, it can decrease dryness as well as itching and over time, help heal the skin completely.
4. Watch what you wear: When dressing, opt for fabrics that you feel relaxed in. Try soft and smooth fabrics such as cotton or satin. Scratchy textiles like wool or some polyester can bother dry skin. No matter the fabric type, always ensure your clothing isn’t too close-fitting. Body-hugging clothes can rub and possibly break open the skin.
5. Monitor your intake: Cut back on or remove caffeine from your diet. Caffeine is a diuretic and diuretics eliminate fluid out of the body. Drinking plenty of water and eating lots of fruit and vegetables helps hydrate the body. If you are apprehensive about giving up caffeine, try quitting slowly by consuming one less caffeinated product a day for weeks until you no longer eat or drink them.
6. Give your hands the required attention: Hands are very delicate and often display the effects of dry surroundings more than other parts of the body. To prevent further skin irritation, when outdoors; wear socks and gloves if you can. This helps safeguard the skin from the cold, dry air, which can extract moisture from the skin. Since washing hands is necessary in eliminating harmful bacteria and viruses, always smear hand cream after each hand wash to help your hands conserve the much-needed moisture. This is particularly vital for people who regularly dip their hands in water throughout the day. If more relief is needed, dab petroleum jelly on your hands before bed.
7. Apply lip balm regularly: Carrying a tube of lip balm and applying it regularly throughout the day helps heal dry, broken and chapped lips. If your lips are really dry, dab on petroleum jelly before bed. Continuing to use lip balm once the lips heal can keep lips soft and supple. Dermatologists recommend using a lip balm that has an SPF (sun protection factor) of at least 30.
In all, easing your dry skin isn’t just about what you apply to it. It also depends on how you clean your skin, the air around you, and even your clothes. However, if these suggestions still don’t bring you relief, there might be an underlying issue and you should see a dermatologist.
