Do you suffer from dry skin? You're not alone. Dry skin is a common problem that many people experience. Some people are born with naturally dry skin, while others may notice their skin gets drier under certain conditions, such as when the weather is colder, and temperatures are lower.
The good news is that dry skin is usually just a temporary problem that can be managed with some simple lifestyle changes and the use of an effective oil-based balm.
In this post, we'll cover the different causes of dry skin. We'll also recommend healing ingredients to look out for in skincare products, including shea butter and coconut oil. Finally, we'll let you know the best oil-based balm that you can use to relieve dry skin anywhere on your body, including the face. Let the healing begin!
Dealing with Dry Skin
Let's first dive into all the possible reasons why you may be experiencing dry skin. One of the first reasons could be age. As the body gets older, it naturally produces less oil. Research shows that approximately 50% of adults over age 40 suffer from dry skin. Just another one of the joys of getting older!
You also may have noticed that your skin feels drier and itchier during the winter. During the colder months, there is naturally less moisture in the air. Lower humidity levels and cooler temperature means that your skin has a higher tendency to become cracked, itchy, and dry.
Those who work in nursing, catering, cooking, and hairdressing are more likely to feel the effects of dry and itchy skin due to their exposure to water. Water, especially hot water, tends to dry out the skin and strip it of its natural protective oils.
Finally, let's talk about hormones. Pregnant women may notice that their skin is drier and itchier. This change in hormones can cause the skin to lose elasticity and moisture. Because the stomach has to stretch to accommodate the growing baby, dry skin can occur. However, it can also appear in other body areas, including the thighs, breasts, and arms.
Eczema and Dry Skin
Eczema is an inflammatory skin condition that affects approximately 10-20% of the population. It usually develops during childhood and persists throughout adulthood. A chronic condition, it's characterized by patches of dry, inflamed, and itchy skin that appear on the face, arms, legs, stomach, and other areas. Although researchers don't know what causes eczema, it's believed to be linked to environmental and genetic factors.
One reason to explain dry skin's appearance is that people with eczema have a damaged skin barrier that has trouble retaining moisture. This damaged skin barrier contributes to the chronic dryness and subsequent itchiness associated with the condition. This damaged skin barrier also leads to more sensitive skin affected by external factors like rough and irritating fabrics, harsh chemicals found in makeup products, and even contact with pet fur.
Those with eczema have an overactive immune system that responds with inflammation when triggered by a substance outside the body.
Why You Should Shop Clean Beauty
Clean beauty emphasizes safe and organic ingredients that are better for our skin and our planet. By choosing clean beauty products over those with cheap fillers or toxic chemicals, we're nourishing our bodies. By investing in skincare and makeup products that contain clean ingredients, fewer toxins and chemicals will be absorbed by your body and find their way into your bloodstream. You will soon start to see a healthier, naturally glowing complexion. Sound good? It gets better.
When you shop for clean beauty, you are not only putting the health of your skin first, but you are also doing our planet a favor. Sadly, many skincare products are manufactured in a way that negatively affects our earth. Clean beauty holds companies accountable for their production processes, ethical standards, and safety regulations. By focusing on whole and pure ingredients, fewer toxins are finding their way back into our ecosystems. Plus, clean beauty products are GMO-free and do not tolerate animal testing.
With clean beauty, transparency is vital. That's why, when you shop clean, you will know exactly how the product was made and the impact the production process had on the environment. Skincare labels will be clear and honest. While it can be challenging to know what to look for when reading labels, our general rule of thumb is that if you can't pronounce the ingredient's name, it probably isn't great for your skin.
It's a step in the right direction that more skincare companies recognize the importance of clean beauty and adopt its values. But, it's still important to be a responsible shopper to ensure that companies are what they claim to be. Unfortunately, words like 'organic' and 'natural' are loosely used these days and are often found on many skincare and makeup bottles.
We encourage you to do your due diligence, continue asking questions, doing your research, and holding companies accountable for their products. Although you may feel like your choice doesn't make a difference, it truly does. We can all do our part to help both our skin and our planet thrive.
Understanding What Makes a Cream Effective
A cream is a type of moisturizer. We can classify moisturizers into different categories based on the amount of oil and water they contain. In addition to creams, the other types of moisturizers are ointments and lotions.
For people suffering from chronically dry skin, it's best to choose a moisturizer that contains a high oil content. This is because an oil-based moisturizer is better at hydrating dry skin. While an oil-heavy balm may feel 'greasy' to the touch, it will do a much better job at locking in moisture and soothing your skin. We love creams because they contain a high amount of oil without being too greasy. For this reason, even though ointments have a higher oil content, many people prefer creams to ointments.
Bear in mind that it may take some trial and error to find the perfect cream for your sensitive skin. Because everybody is different, what works for one person may not necessarily work for another. When you are using a cream for the first time, be sure to do a small patch test to make sure your body does not react negatively. This is especially important if you are using the cream on your face.
The Best Ingredients for Dry Skin
When you shop for your next cream, moisturizer, or makeup product, keep an eye out for these healing and moisturizing ingredients.
One of our favorite ingredients is coconut oil. Coconut oil is ultra-hydrating. Its ability to quickly penetrate the skin makes it perfect for combating the itchy effects of dry skin. We recommend taking a relaxing coconut oil bath or looking out for this soothing ingredient in your skincare products.
Shea butter is also highly moisturizing and very skin-friendly. By helping draw moisture from the air to your skin, it boosts hydration without stripping the skin of its natural protective oils.
Shea butter can be found in plenty of makeup and skincare products, as well as in this Coconut and Sunflower Oil Soap Bar. You can use it to treat facial eczema or dry skin anywhere on the body.
Finally, honey is a natural healing agent. Humans have been using this sweet substance to heal a variety of dermal issues for centuries. Not only can it soothe burns and heal wounds, but it also helps treat acne and boost the immune system. In particular, Manuka honey is ultra healing because it has 1000x more methylglyoxal than traditional forms of honey. This gives it supreme anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. Because honey is highly moisturizing, it's very effective at treating dry skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis. Sit back, relax, and let the healing powers of manuka honey do its magic.
A Gentle Oil-Based Balm for the Body and Face
You can't go wrong with our Organic Manuka Skin Soothing Cream. This oil-based balm is made with just six ingredients, including the powerful manuka honey. All ingredients are hand-picked because of their known soothing abilities by an eczema mother looking to heal her son's dry skin. Because this oil-based balm contains wholesome and safe ingredients, there is no burning or stinging. It works wonders for kids and adults alike. The oil-based cream is gentle enough to use anywhere on the body, including delicate areas like the face. So if you suffer from facial eczema, 'maskne,' or sensitive skin on the face in general, don't hesitate to give this soothing balm a try.
Finally, if you don't see results right away, don't panic. Remember that healing does not happen overnight. It takes time, so be patient with the process. Believe that you are healing, and keep going!
