7 surprising causes of dry skin
If your skin feels tight or you suffer from flaky skin, this may be a sign of dry skin. Skin becomes dry because it does not absorb enough moisture. But what are the causes exactly? You don’t need to look too far, as dry skin is often caused by poor daily habits that leave your skin dehydrated.
1. Perfume
Perfume can irritate or even dry out your skin. That’s why you should check what is in your skin care product before you buy it. Many products contain fragrances that cause the skin to become dry. You should look for products containing honey or vanilla, or body butters with shea and cocoa. These products have a great scent and also moisturize your skin.
2. Soap
It's important to clean your skin every day. However, you should be careful of certain products that remove moisture from the skin. It’s best to choose natural soaps that contain glycerine as this helps your skin retain its moisture and leaves it abundantly hydrated. The same also applies to laundry products. Certain detergents used for washing clothes can be very harsh and make your skin drier. That’s why it is best to opt for natural products here too.
3. Genetic causes
Research has shown that dry skin may also be hereditary. If either or both of your parents are susceptible to dry skin, it's best to take extra precautions to keep your skin healthy and hydrated. As the saying goes, prevention is better than cure.
4. Hard water
Hard water is water that has a high concentration of magnesium, lead and zinc. It leaves a residue behind on the skin causing it to become dry and flaky. In addition to some extra hydration, you might also want to think about installing a water softener in your home that will remove the minerals.
5. Acne medication
There are lots of products for combating acne, but one disadvantage of these creams and masks is that they dry your skin. Fortunately, there are products you can use to combat acne that are also good for your skin. Argan oil and Dead Sea minerals have an anti-inflammatory effect, but nourish the skin and ensure the skin retains its elasticity.
6. Dry air
During the cold winter months, we all like to turn up the heating a few degrees. This is not only bad for your energy bill, but also for your skin. Warm air causes the humidity level in your house to fall. This leaves your skin dry, and it may also start to itch. For this reason, it’s best not to turn the heating too high, especially while you are sleeping, and you should use extra moisturizer to keep your skin supple.
7. Mysophobia
If you suffer from mysophobia, you wash your hands obsessively, which causes your hands to become dry. Mysophobia is a compulsive anxiety disorder that requires treatment, but in the meantime, it’s best to use a hand soap that moisturizes your skin. It is also much better to wash your hands with lukewarm water than cold water.
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