Soap and mineral residues interfere with the absorption of any moisture you apply to your skin. They also impede the flow of sebum: the oil your skin produces to lubricate your barrier. When your skin is not balanced by your natural oil it also loses much-needed water that helps keep it hydrated.
That's because using too much moisturizer or applying it too often can mess up your skin's natural balance, smothering your skin and causing your skin to produce less oil than it should. Over time, this can reduce your oil production enough that it results in chronically dry skin.
One primary reason for dry skin despite sufficient water intake is environmental factors. External elements such as cold, dry air, harsh winds, and low humidity levels can strip the skin of its natural moisture, leading to dryness and irritation.
You're deficient in certain nutrients
Stubborn dryness may occur if your body is low in vitamin A, vitamin D, iron, niacin or zinc, all of which are a must for healthy skin. Talk to your doctor about whether you might be deficient in one of these nutrients, and if you are, whether or not to take supplements.
Taking long, hot showers or baths or scrubbing your skin too much can dry your skin. Bathing more than once a day can remove the natural oils from your skin too. Harsh soaps and detergents. Many popular soaps, detergents and shampoos strip moisture from your skin because they are formulated to remove oil.
Research shows that this can lead to excessively dry skin. Vitamin or mineral deficiency: Skin requires nutrients to keep it healthy. If you're not getting enough vitamin D, vitamin A, niacin, zinc, or iron, you can develop excessively dry skin.
Your skin will certainly tell you in subliminal ways, such as clogged pores or acne breakouts on your shoulders or other areas of your body, small bumps and more. It's easy to think that over moisturising is a good thing as 'it's just providing your skin with extra hydration' – however, this isn't true.
Treat Dry, Itchy Skin
Because of its triple-purified formula, Vaseline® Jelly can be applied as often as you like to help relieve dry skin patches on the face and body – even under the eyes.
You may be using too much product, your skin may not be adequately exfoliated, or the formula might be too heavy for your skin type. Ensure to exfoliate regularly, use the correct amount of moisturizer, and choose a formula that suits your skin type for better absorption.
Vitamin C may be useful in preventing dry skin because it strengthens the skin barrier, which protects against moisture loss.
The final verdict: Okay, so Aquaphor definitely shouldn't replace your moisturizer (because, you know, it isn't a moisturizer), but it can help your skin better heal itself by locking in water and upping the effects of your usual skincare products, which, says Dr.
Avoid harsh skin care products. This isn't a time for rough exfoliating scrubs or cleansers that strip skin of moisture. Gentle products are best to help your skin look and feel hydrated and moisturized. Skip the use of exfoliating brushes or tools.
Skin overhydration, or skin maceration, is when too much moisture softens the derma barrier. This causes the cells to effectively disintegrate, irritating the face and allowing external factors access beneath the skin's surface layer. The process can create a range of skin issues.
Clogged pores can look enlarged, bumpy, or, in the case of blackheads, dark in color. The more oil that a person's skin produces, the more likely it is that their pores will become blocked. A person can use skin care techniques and products to manage or clear clogged pores.
“The best practice is to avoid over-scrubbing because you want to maintain a healthy and intact skin barrier,” Dr. Khalifian notes. Going too hard can leave your skin red and irritated. Use it after cleansing, and always follow with moisturizer to lock in hydration.
Petroleum jelly is an oil-based product that forms an oily film over the surface of the skin. This oily film seals in moisture, helping keep skin hydrated and soft. According to a 2016 review article, Vaseline prevents more than 98% of water loss from the outer layer of the skin.