We most often associate dry skin with winter but, dry skin can occur in the summer as well. Most of us tend to be more relaxed in the warmer months, so apart from taking a little holiday from our normally rigorous skin care routine, there are other factors that can contribute to dry skin when we least expect it:
Sitting Out in the Sun: Despite the overwhelming amount of research that illustrates how tanning damages the skin, many of us cannot resist basking in a bit of sunshine when given the opportunity. Sun exposure contributes to signs of premature aging such as hyperpigmentation and wrinkles as well as causing the skin to lose moisture and natural oils that can keep skin soft and supple. The answer may just be our newest sun protection product: Anthelios XL SPF 50+ Comfort Oil. Containing your most sought-after sun filter Mexoryl XL, this innovative oil-based sunscreen product nourishes the skin while offering very high, broad spectrum and stable UVA/UVB protection. That’s what I call a win-win situation.
Air Conditioning: The magic of air conditioners turning warm, humid air into cool air is pure genius, but constant exposure can cause seriously dry skin. And although dry skin doesn’t actually cause wrinkles, it certainly can age us visually! Having a non-sticky, instantly absorbed moisturizer like fan favorite Complex 15 Body Lotion on hand at home and at work will go far in replenishing hydration that’s lost from environmental elements. If you’re game, you may also want to consider a hydrating facial mist. These little bottles of on-the-go antioxidants, moisturizers and makeup setters are gaining ground in the skincare world. Whichever formula you choose, however, make sure that you let the product sit on the skin for a minute before gently blotting the excess. That instant surge of moisture could not be more convenient.
Airplane Travel: The tightness and dryness that accompany air travel are largely due to the low humidity found on most flights. Humidity is a measurement of the water vapor in the air, and on a plane, it can dip to as low as 1%. Compare this to the normal humidity found in an average home – 30% to 50% – and you can appreciate why your skin and hair feel devoid of moisture. Longer flights exaggerate the problem even more. Besides keeping well hydrated from the inside out with plenty of liquids, seal in moisture in the skin before (and during!) the flight by applying products like Neostrata Moisture Infusion Hydrating Cream or Cliniderm Nutricomfort Soothing Body Balm, both of which contain ultra-emollient shea butter.
Bug Bites: With increased time spent outdoors in the summer, the chance of bug bites also goes up. Bug bites do not necessarily cause dry skin but for those who suffer from eczema or similar dermatitis, scratching can lead to very dry, irritated and scaly patches of dry skin. Although there is no cure to eczema, the discomfort can be lessened with topical treatments such as corticosteroids or La Roche Posay’s Lipikar Body Baume AP+ for atopy-prone skin.
One of our favorite ways to deal with dry skin in any season is with Apothekari Bamboo Lemongrass Foaming Body Polish. This non-greasy scrub has so many things going for it: the crushed walnut shell and bamboo powder exfoliate naturally with a unique foaming action that cleanses gently. The clincher? This dreamy body polish rinses clean away with no oily residue on the skin or the tub!
And now that the kids are back in school, we think it’s time to devote a bit more energy on ourselves. All in the name of healthy skin, of course
I A HAVE A PROBLEM WITH DRY AND ROUGH SKIN WHICH HAS PIMPLES ON IT,WHAT IS IT THAT I CAN DO TO TREAT AND HAVE SMOOTH AND SOFT SKIN?
For Christinah,
Thanks for your question. From the sounds of it, dry and rough skin with “pimples” could be keratosis pilaris. Although not medically serious, this skin condition can become inflamed, red and itchy. Treating it usually involves exfoliating with either a scrub like Apothekari Bamboo Lemongrass Foaming Body Polish and then moisturizing. Read more about it here in our blog.
If your skin is dry and rough with pimples on your face, the treatment is the same but your choice of products will be essential to success. Begin with gentle exfoliation with a non-drying toner like Neostrata’s Acne Clear Purifying Solution (the glycolic acid removes the dry, dead skin cells on the surface while allowing other products to absorb more effectively); next, treat the acne with a salicylic product like Neostrata Blemish Spot Gel; finally use a moisturizer that won’t clog pores, like La Roche Posay Hydreane Light or Apothekari Daily Infusion. It’s important to hydrate the skin as some acne treatments can dry it out even more.
The combination of dry and acne-prone skin is uncommon but with diligence, you should see improvements.
Best, Sharmani