Hello, hello!! Sorry for the lack of blog posts last week, I got very caught up with revision and celebrating birthdays and just life in general, but I'm back again now- writing quite a few blog posts in advance to avoid future delays within my posting schedule.

So, today's topic is 'How to combat dry skin', I feel like a little bit of a seasoned pro with this now after suffering from dry skin since I was a child and I've felt like I've tried every remedy possible; some of which have worked and others not so much. Personally, my skin gets very dry in winter like most with the cold weather and then in summer my skin takes a bit of a turn and becomes more oily which then leads me to wearing either very little or no makeup just to let my skin 'breath'.

I know first hand how annoying dry, itchy and flaky skin is and can be as well as how much you desire relief from it. Mine got considerably worse when I hit puberty due to my eczema, making me unable to use some of the same remedies as others due to having such sensitive skin.

Now, it's important to keep in mind that your skin is affected by a lot of other things too, including the environment, how you clean and care for your skin, and even your clothes.

Hot water-
Having hot showers are good every now and again but aren't advised for having on a regular basis by many dermatologists. By having hot showers you're actually stripping your body of its natural oil barrier which helps keep moisture and keep your skin smooth and moist.
Skin care experts recommend short, warm showers/baths lasting no longer than 10-15 minutes.

Cleansing-
When washing, use a soap less cleanser. By using gentle soaps that are fragrance free you are being more gentle on your skin. For example, products with deodorant or antibacterial additives are much harsher on the skin. A great alternative is a cleanser containing ceramides- fatty molecules which help to make up the outer barrier of your skin and hold in moisture. By stripping back on your use of toners, peels and other astringents you are helping your skin stay moisturised due to all of them being drying. Exfoliating is a similar issue with some scrubbing too hard and fast leading to irritated skin and thickening of the skin.

Shaving-
Did you know that shaving can irritate and cause dry skin?
When shaving you're also shaving off natural oils. Shaving after you've showered is the best possible time; with the hair being more pliable. Remember to shave in the direction of hair growth in order to protect your skin. In addition to this, make sure the razor is sharp. A dull razor blade can also cause irritation.

Sun damage-
Sun damage is one of the main causes for dry skin, wrinkles and skin roughness. You can prevent this through wearing a broad-spectrum SPF 30 sunscreen year round.


Moisturising-
Moisturisers help to track the moisture into the skin that already exists. To achieve this you need to apply moisturiser within a few minutes of drying off after washing or washing your face and hands.