12 causes of dry skin

Your skin troubles may be caused by dry skin.

My face feels tight. My skin feels itchy. Dry. Stiff.
If you have these symptoms, you may have dry skin.

The air is dry in the winter in Japan. For this reason, many people suffer from seasonal dry skin that only appears in the winter. However, it is quite possible for your skin to be dry all year round.

If you feel your skin is tight or itchy all year round, it may be that your skin's natural oil reserves are decreasing and the epidermis is no longer able to maintain moisture levels.

When dry skin gets worse

Dry skin can worsen, causing peeling and cracking, but even if it doesn't get that bad, it can deepen fine lines and wrinkles if left untreated.

Also, even if you think you are moisturizing properly, if you are doing it the wrong way, your dry skin will not improve. Even if the surface of your skin feels moisturized, the dryness may actually be getting worse underneath.

If your skin continues to dry even after moisturizing, it may be time to reevaluate your skin care routine.

Causes of dry skin

Dry skin is said to be related to genetics and aging, but in fact there are many other causes.

Do any of the following 12 reasons sound familiar?

Shower or bath too hot

Many people like to start or end their day with a relaxing hot shower or bath, but water that's too hot can dry out your skin, stripping it of its natural oils and leaving it red and dry.
Even in the middle of winter, keep the water temperature low and limit showers or soaks to 10 minutes or less.

Extreme temperature changes

In winter, they move between warm indoors and cold outdoors, and in summer, they move between cold, dry indoors and humid outdoors.
Every time you move, your skin is exposed to large temperature changes. Sudden changes in temperature and humidity can disrupt the skin's sebum control.
Adjust the room temperature so that the air conditioner isn't too hot.

Not choosing the right moisturizer

Creams and lotions containing synthetic polymers and silicones seem to have a rich texture and are highly moisturizing.
However, these synthetic ingredients only give a feeling of moisture to the surface of the skin, they do not hydrate the skin itself.

Choose products that contain highly moisturizing ingredients such as squalane , shea butter, plant oils, and glycerin .

Not moisturizing at night

While you sleep at night, your skin goes into repair mode. Be sure to apply a moisturizing cream before going to bed. It is also important to get enough sleep.

The cleanser is too harsh

If you have dry or sensitive skin, avoid cleansers and facial cleansers that strip too much of the skin's oils.
The recommended cleansing product is a cleansing oil that is mainly composed of vegetable oils. Oils that are mainly composed of surfactants can have too strong a degreasing power.
In addition, soap has a surprisingly high degreasing power, which can cause dry skin.

And if you are concerned about dryness, you don't need to use a facial cleanser when washing your face in the morning.
This is because there is a possibility that you will remove too much of the sebum secreted at night. Rinse with water or lukewarm water, or use a facial cleanser only on areas where stickiness is a concern. It is important to be aware of not removing too much of the necessary sebum.

Excessive exfoliation

Are you using cosmetics with strong peeling properties? Excessive exfoliation can damage the skin's moisture barrier, making it more susceptible to irritation. Of course, this can also lead to dry skin.

No UV protection

Dry skin caused by UV rays cannot be ignored. It is recommended to apply sunscreen every day if possible. Choose a sunscreen that does not contain UV absorbers and is hypoallergenic.

However, sunscreens can contain ingredients that dry out the skin. They also tend to contain ingredients that are highly irritating to the skin or that tend to remain on the skin. For this reason, some people with sensitive skin may find that no sunscreen is suitable for them.
If you are one of those people, you should take proper measures to protect yourself from UV rays by using a parasol, hat, or sunglasses that have high UV protection.

Some people may be concerned about acne or oily skin when using oil in their skin care routine.
However, oils are a must-have item for dry skin. If you are concerned about acne or oiliness, choose a plant-based oil that is non-comedogenic and blends well with the skin.

For example, add a few drops of jojoba oil or argan oil before applying the cream, or use a cream that contains these oils.

Skin care is important for healthy skin. However, excessive skin care can spoil your skin.
If your skin becomes dry without repeated application of moisturizer, you may already have moisturized skin.
It is important to be aware of what is lacking. Determine how much moisture your skin needs and stick to the appropriate amount.

No matter how much moisturizer you put on your face, if the air is dry it's all a cat and mouse game.
If you spend a lot of time in an air-conditioned room, try to use a humidifier as much as possible, especially while you sleep.