Know More About Dry Skin Care In This Hot Days

February 26, 2021     

Does dry skin irritate you in summer? We understand your frustration as hotter months are known for sweaty and oily skin. However, many people complain of dry skin in the summer. Why so? Well, several factors can suck moisture from your skin in the scorching heat. Regardless of your skin type, you may need to make some adjustments to your summer skincare routine. While you can enjoy the extra sunshine, the heat can damage your skin. If you have dry skin, you know the importance of finding the right skincare routine and skincare products (such as facial cleansers and moisturizers) to hydrate and look radiant. Follow the tips below to keep your dry skin happy this summer. This article will tell you why this happens and how to keep your skin moisturized and prevent it from drying out in the summer.

What causes dry skin in summer?

Even if you have normal or combination skin, it can dry out in the summer. Here are some of the main reasons:

• Excessive heat and sun exposure without adequate sun protection can impair your skin’s protective function and cause transepidermal water loss. This causes dry skin in summer.
• Apart from sun damage, sweat causes the skin to lose excess water and eventually dries it out. It can get worse if you don’t drink enough water.
• Sitting in an air-conditioned room can also prevent the skin from locking in moisture, causing dry skin.
• Your skin can also feel very dry if you spend a lot of time in the pool, braving the heat. Chlorinated water is known to steal your skin’s natural pH and cause dryness.

Know More About Dry Skin Care in this Hot Days 

Don’t take too hot (or long) showers.

Nothing sounds better than a long shower on a sunny day, but water is the enemy of dry skin in summer. Too much water causes increased evaporation of your skin’s natural moisture. Bathe only for about 10 minutes. Replace soaps and drying gels with body cleansing oils or bath oils that contain high-fat soy or other vegetable oils which protect the skin’s moisture barrier. 

Face wash

Some soaps and detergents contain chemicals that draw moisture from your skin and dry it out. Choose a mild facial cleanser with moisturizing and hypoallergenic properties. Look for fruit enzymes like papaya and make sure they don’t contain harmful chemicals like parabens.

Night/day cream according to skin type

For dry skin, your best friend is a moisturizer. Choose one that contains ceramides, which can moisturize and seal your skin.

• Look for a high sun protection factor in your moisturizer for the day to protect your skin from the sun and harmful impurities and fight free radicals.
• A good moisturizer should ideally contain active ingredients such as:
  • Niacinamide and phytosphingosine
  • Lanolin
  • Glycerin
  • Hyaluronic acid 
  • If possible, vitamin C. 
• Glycerin is gentler on the skin than lanolin, which reduces the risk of an allergic reaction on sensitive skin.
• Always choose or buy a moisturizer that suits your skin type. Lighter, gel-based moisturizers work best in summer.
• Combination skin needs a light, water-based moisturizer for oily areas. Use a thicker cream for the drier parts of the face and neck.
• If you have dry skin, you can choose a foundation cream with added moisturizing properties.
• Sensitive skin must be hypoallergenic to prevent it from bursting with irritants.
• Oily skin needs a non-comedogenic moisturizer that doesn’t contain oil to prevent clogged pores.
• For a nightly moisturizer, look for one that contains retinol (vitamin A), which your skin needs to rejuvenate its cells while you sleep. Sometimes this is based on a prescription. So check with your doctor as not all retinol-based creams are suitable for dry skin.
• Use an overnight moisturizing mask for extra moisture once a week.

Make sunscreen protection a priority:

While you need to use sunscreen all year round, it makes sense to think about it in the summer because you will likely be spending more time outside this year. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends using a broad-spectrum sunscreen with 15 or higher SPF every day. But that’s not all – you need to take some sunscreen measures in addition to wearing a broad-spectrum sunscreen. According to the FDA, this includes reapplying sunscreen at least every two hours (or as soon as you swim or sweat), which will limit your time in the sun, especially during the hours of 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to find shade and cover any open areas of the arms. Long pants, a long-brimmed hat, and sunglasses that block out ultraviolet rays.

Cover the skin

Apart from covering the sunscreen, cover the sun-exposed parts of your body and face. Wear a wide-brimmed hat, large sunglasses, and clothes that cover your entire body. Also, choose thick fabrics that block out sunlight and bright colours to help distract from the sun.

Routinely care for healthy skin.

It is essential to maintain healthy skin care during the summer. Use the Korean dual cleansing method to remove sweat, dirt, and grime from your skin. Then apply a water-based toner followed by sunscreen and moisturizer. Use a cleansing oil and cleansing foam at night to remove dirt and other impurities from your skin, and sprinkle with a nourishing moisturizer. Look for vitamin C and hyaluronic acid ingredients, which add moisture to the skin’s layers.

You can even bring a moisturizing syringe or mirror and spray it on your face several times a day. It can refresh you and give your skin much-needed moisture.

Use a humidifier

Air conditioners can dry out your skin in the summer because they tend to absorb moisture and moisture from the air. You can use a humidifier at home to adjust the humidity level if you live in a place with parched, hot weather. This will prevent your skin from drying out.

Drink more water

The best way to prevent your skin from drying out during the summer is to stay hydrated. Drinking lots of water will keep the skin hydrated from the inside and prevent it from drying out. Drink water at least 8-10 glasses a day to make sure your skin gets enough moisture that it needs.

Always carry a Facial mist with you.

Last but not least, it’s a great idea to have a refreshing mist on your face all summer long. The purified water spray not only keeps you awake and ready for the day but also helps revitalize your skin’s makeup and moisture levels.

Wear cool fabric clothes 

Scratches like wool can aggravate dry skin, especially if you have sensitive skin or an eczema rash. When you look under a microscope, these fibres look like tiny pieces of steel wool that can irritate your skin, and make it itchy and irritable.

The solution is to wear cotton, silk, or some other soft, delicate cloth on your skin to protect it from wool fibres. These natural fibres help your skin “breathe” and sweat. If you must wear a woollen sweater, wear a soft cotton T-shirt underneath. It also allows you to take off the sweater when it’s hot in the room, so it doesn’t get too sweaty.

Not eating the right foods then eat the right foods.

Your skin cells are wrapped in lipid (fat) protective bubbles that keep them soft, full, and flexible. If you don’t consume enough fatty acids in your diet, your body doesn’t have enough building blocks to maintain this protective layer.

Eating foods that contain “good fats” (especially omega-3 fatty acids) can help replenish your skin’s natural oils and keep it smooth and plump. Make sure to include plenty of omega-3-rich foods in your diet, including fatty fish (such as salmon, sardines, and mackerel). If you are allergic to or can’t tolerate the taste of fish, try adding tofu, walnuts, flaxseeds, soybeans, or foods fortified with omega-3s (such as orange juice) to your diet every day. Additionally, some people with dry skin and itchy rashes may benefit from evening primrose oil supplements.

What to avoid to prevent dry skin

Some specific foods and drinks can dry you out from the inside out and dry out your skin even more. During the hot summer months, while drinking water and fresh fruit, here is a list of things to avoid:

• Alcohol: Alcohol removes fluids from your body because it is naturally a diuretic. This can dehydrate your body and remove moisture from the skin, making it drier. It can also make your wrinkles and fine lines more visible.
• Salt: Eating salty and processed foods can also dehydrate you because the extra salt in the body draws fluids from cells. This makes the skin drier. If you eat many French fries, make sure you drink enough water to replenish the liquid level.
• Sugar: Sugar is not suitable for you any time of year, especially if you consume too much of it. Sugar can negatively affect collagen, making it weaker, which dries out the skin. The damage causes collagen breakdown, which means that the skin loses its natural elasticity.
• Carbohydrates: During the summer, avoid eating too many glycemic carbohydrates – white bread, pasta, and white rice. They have the same negative effect on the skin as sugar because the metabolism for processing these foods is the same. They cause wrinkles and fine lines if consumed in excess.
• Coffee: Avoid drinking too many cups of coffee. Like alcohol, it can dehydrate your skin by narrowing your blood vessels. This reduces the flow of fluid in your skin, meaning it doesn’t receive enough moisture. This is especially dangerous for the area under the eyes of the face.

Conclusion:

Dry skin in summer is a common problem due to excess heat and water loss. However, if you take the proper steps to keep your skin hydrated, and eat the right foods, you can prevent your skin from drying out due to heat.

Now that you know how to treat your dry skin during the summer, you may be wondering what exactly causes it. To get started on your right foot, check out this article, provided by Dr Swapna Priya consultant dermatologist, Cosmosure Clinic. For more information, contact Cosmosure Clinic at 040 4953 0404.