Staying on Top of the Moisture Game

The harsh months of winter weather are slowly fading away, and many of us are looking forward to the welcome of Springtime. Just because we are heading toward the wonderfully warmer time of year does not mean that we can let up on our efforts to keep skin from becoming too dry. Here, we will discuss some of the common mistakes that could dehydrate your skin.

Steaming Showers

Oh, the joy of a nice, hot shower! There aren’t many people who don’t revel in the bliss of steamy water. If not a sauna or bath, then a shower will do. The tantalizing temptation of overly-warm showers may die off when you realize that high temperatures pull water from the cells, where it is desperately needed. To mitigate the drying effect, turn it down a notch. Also, remember to apply a quality lotion, one without alcohol, to the skin while it is still damp (within about 5 minutes).

Dead Skin Cells

Exfoliation is a tricky skill. Take off too many cells too soon, and your skin is harmed. On the other hand, it is not a good idea to let dead skin cells sit on the surface too long, either. Doing so means that there is a layer of tissue getting between your skin care products that the underlying cells that need hydration. Exfoliation may be done a few times a week using a gentle scrub or another method. Deeper exfoliation may be achieved with a gentle chemical peel.

Moisturizing went Wrong

There isn’t much to the moisturizing game except to choose quality products and make sure they are penetrating the outermost layer of cells of the epidermis. Seems easy enough, right? You could run into problems when the moisturizing products you choose are not up to the job. Every moisturizer is different, as is every skin type and condition. Some people may need a thicker formulation to combat dryness. A creamy moisturizer with lipids and ceramides may be ideal for nighttime use.

Your Teaneck dermatologist is here to support you in maintaining healthy, beautiful skin. Call 201-836-9696