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Do you experience skin tightness and itchiness? Does your skin get cracks that bleed often and have dry skin?

Then you would know that dry skin is never fun. Apart from the basic annoyance, skin dryness can quickly turn into severe discomfort which may end up in an infection.

From dry and cold weather to the use of harsh chemicals, excessive scrubbing, genetics, and aging, there can be numerous causes of derma dryness. However, the positive aspect of this condition is that you can manage it effectively.

In what follows, we share seven dermatologist tips to help you get rid of dry, cracked, and flaky skin. By incorporating these tips into your skincare routine and making positive lifestyle choices, you can enjoy supple and smooth skin.

7 Dermatologist Tips for Dry Skin

1.      Choose Hydrating Moisturizers

While all moisturizers are designed to nourish the skin and provide hydration, your choice of moisturizer can play an important role in improving symptoms of dryness.

Make sure you choose hydrating moisturizers that are suitable for your skin type. Moreover, it's critical to look for a few ingredients on the label to ensure that the moisturizer will effectively provide adequate nourishment to your skin. Dermatologists recommend choosing moisturizers with glycerin and ceramides.

Ceramides are naturally found in the skin and are essential building blocks that firmly hold the uppermost skin layer. They protect the skin against external invaders and allergens and help the skin retain fluids, so it stays hydrated. The other ingredient your chosen moisturizer must include is glycerin which acts as a humectant and helps retain moisture. It facilitates in increasing skin hydration and hence plays an important role in relieving symptoms of dryness such as itchiness and skin flaking.

2.      Practice Gentle Exfoliation for Dry Skin

Exfoliating the skin helps remove dead cells along with dry skin patches and flakes. Dermatologists consider exfoliation an essential skincare practice that removes dead old skin on the outermost and allows new and improved skin with improved skin texture and radiance to appear from underneath.

And while it’s essential for all skin types, one of the dermatologist tips that’s exclusive for dry skin is gentle exfoliation.

If you experience dryness, itchiness, and flaky skin, avoid using abrasives like scrubs and rigorous tools like a loofah for exfoliation. Instead, focus on mild exfoliants, which can gently cleanse and exfoliate your skin without causing microtrauma, as microtrauma can further aggravate symptoms of dryness.

3.      Focus on Hydration

Healthcare practitioners cannot emphasize this enough on hydration. It helps keep your body temperature normal, lubricates your joints, maintains body fluids, and facilitates the elimination of toxic wastes from your body. For your skin, hydration is essential as it keeps your skin refreshed and aids in maintaining its elasticity which keeps scars, wrinkles, and soft lines at bay.

So, one of the dermatologist tips that you shouldn’t miss out on is drinking at least eight glasses of water every day. Many dermatologists also recommend drinking two glasses of water immediately after waking up as it provides the much-needed hydration to your body and skin that you lose while you're asleep. If you live in a drier environment or cooler region, it's best to increase your water intake accordingly.

4.      Cut Down on Hot, Long Showers

Hot baths and long showers always make you feel better, but if you've dry skin, the practice may not favor your skin.

Hot water temperature can deprive your skin of natural moisturizer, making it more prone to dryness. Moreover, the longer you stay in the water, the more moisture your skin loses. Therefore, dermatologists recommend sticking to short showers using lukewarm water. Ideally, the time spent under the shower should be less than ten minutes, so your skin doesn't lose out enough moisture. It is also recommended to check the water temperature before you get in the water, as scorching hot water can burn your skin and cause flakes that will take longer than usual to heal completely.

5.      For Dry Skin, Apply Moisturizer Following a Bath

Individuals with dry skin would know that applying moisturizer helps provide hydration, but do you know the best time to lock in moisture in your skin?

That’s right after you finish showering.

When you apply moisturizer to your skin immediately after a shower, it penetrates deep into your skin as your skin pores are soft and open. The practice can leave your skin feeling soft and supple for long.

Again make sure you keep a check on the ingredients of your moisturizer to get adequate nourishment for your skin.

6.      You Are What You Eat

Looking for improving symptoms of skin dryness? Take a look at your diet as you are what you eat. A balanced diet rich in minerals, vitamins, and proteins provides your body with the nourishment and hydration it needs from the inside. It also serves as an integral way to build the skin’s barrier so your skin is more resistant to external factors like sun damage, free radicals, and other environmental hazards.

Some foods you can consider adding to your diet to improve your skin's elasticity and hydration include the following.

  • Egg yolks,
  • Salmon, Herring, and other fatty fish,
  • Dairy products,
  • Bananas,
  • Nuts and seeds,
  • Avocado,
  • Vegetables rich in beta-carotene, such as carrots, and sweet potatoes,
  •  

7.      Make the Most of Nature

You can find numerous moisturizers, serums, and lotions that can protect, nourish and lubricate your skin. And while the synthetic options are endless, nature has provided some of the best moisturizers that are ideal for dry skin.

Explore nature and identify natural substances that can help relieve symptoms of dryness. Think of effective solutions for dryness like Shea butter, olive oil, grape seed oil, and more. All these natural ingredients are rich in essential fatty acids that can moisturize dry skin and protect it against harsh environmental elements.

Key Takeaways

Living with dry skin means constant discomfort, but there are effective solutions for this condition. While it won’t change over time, a series of changes in your lifestyle and products can significantly improve symptoms of dryness. Maintaining a good skincare routine using the right products is key. Moreover, remember to stay hydrated, take shorter and colder showers and eat a balanced diet that will nourish your skin.

SunCoast Skin Solutions Dermatology offices are located in Tampa / Hillsborough, St. Pete / Pinellas County, Brandon, Lutz, Winter Haven, Largo, Hudson, Leesburg, Riverview, Brooksville, Clearwater, Ocala, Palm Harbor, Daytona Beach, Sarasota, Punta Gorda, Seminole, Florida. Contact us at 1-844-786-3376 or click here.