Winter Skin Series: Battle of the Dry Patches
I want to get into something that I personally deal with, rando dry patches on the face (or body) and how to treat them. Dry skin is not lovely, it can hurt, crack, bleed and even lead to some very scary skin disorders in extreme cases (think trench foot), but I don’t want to scare you with that as it is doubtful you and I will experience those extreme cases. So let's start with the core of the issue- why and where the heck these dry patches are coming from!
Causes for Concern
Each one of us is a unique creature, so this may not be the reason why you are experiencing dry patches, but knowing what's not the issue can sometimes help you narrow down your cause for concern better.
Medical Reasons- Dermatitis is a fancy medical word meaning "red, irritated skin", it can be peeling, red and scaly or even in the case of Psoriasis, slightly wet. There are a few different types of dermatitis: atopic dermatitis is caused by something like stress, cold air, harsh chemicals or detergents, contact dermatitis caused by an allergic reaction with a substance or chemical, and perioral dermatitis is an acne-like condition around the mouth. Work with your medical provider to find out if what you are experiencing is dermatitis, don't self diagnose! A common type of dermatitis is contact irritant dermatitis, this one is more specifically a topical agent causing the rash. For example, here in Salon's and Spa's we use a disinfectant called Barbecide, it is a cuastic alkalai and if exposed to skin can cause rashes, dry peeling skin or cracks.
Hormonal- Hormonal imbalances do so much to our skin from extreme dehydration to acne, making it hard to pinpoint as a cause and tricky to treat. If you are pregnant, starting a new birth control or noticing irregularities with your body, these things might be the cause of your skin's imbalance. You can always check with your doctor about these things and see if there is anything to get your hormones balanced. Keep reading to see what you can do in the meantime!
Environmental- When the weather gets colder, the moisture levels in the air drop and can cause skin to become drier. Some areas are more affected than others like eyes, nose and mouth. We easily forget that bundling up our bodies doesn't typically include our face, so making sure we are wearing a heavy enough moisturizer and as always SPF to protect our skin. During winter, the sun is actually closer to us and sending more damaging rays that are also reflecting off everything from sidewalks to snow. This UV exposure can also deplete skin's natural oils, or lipids, which can cause dry patches to occur in areas of the face that already have a limited amount of oil production like temples, hairline, and jawline to name a few.
Product- Using the right product for your skin but at the wrong time of year can also cause issues like dryness to pop up. Adjust your skincare like you would your makeup or clothing, it should change with the season to be appropriate. No one would question why you are cold when you're wearing a mini skirt and wedges during winter, so don't be surprised when your skin is dry if your using a lightweight moisturizer.
Hopefully some of those causes help you pinpoint why you're noticing dry patches. If not, please leave your comments below and we can try to work it out! If they did, then here are some ingredients that are great for treating dry patches:
Aloe Vera- this little plant is loaded with minerals, nutrients and antioxidants (just to name a few) that are beneficial for skin health and repair. You can go all natural and try just taking a piece of the plant and squeeze a little onto the troubled spot, or look for it in your ingredients. Note though, in an ingredient list look for gel not juice. To learn more click here
Treatments & Ingredients
Vitamin E Oil- Makes sense that oils would help dry skin, but don’t overuse them as they can actually dry out your skin. Vitamin E Oil is fabulous for your skin! On an ingredient list you won't see it labeled as "Vitamin E" but instead tocopherol, we'll get into that another day... In a LiveStrong article on Vitamin E Oil they explain further: "As indicated by its vitamin classification, vitamin E is a nutrient to the skin. The National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS) explains that it is an antioxidant that helps neutralize free radicals, which damage cells and might contribute to cardiovascular disease and cancer, reactive oxygen species (ROS) formed in the body when it converts food to energy, and environmental exposures such as pollution and ultraviolet radiation." (https://www.livestrong.com/article/25515-benefits-vitamin-e-oil-skin/) So not only is it good for your skin but also your body!
Almond Oil- I use this to perform facial massage as it gives great slip to the skin without being too oily or clogging the skin. In smaller amounts, it can be used as a moisturizer, and some essential oils can be added, like Frankincense or Lavender.
Jojoba Oil- (pronounced: ho-ho-bah) is another crowd pleaser and common carrier oil. I recommend visiting your neighborhood Co-Op or Organic Market to pick these up to make sure you are getting high quality oil.
Horsetail- Vegans don't be alarmed! This is not derived from the Horse but from the plant Horsetail called such for it's appearance. Fun facts about Horsetail: "Horsetail is high in vegetal silica and has diuretic, astringent and wound healing properties, and is useful for improving circulation, as well as boosting and rejuvenating the connective tissue and regenerating skin cells. The high silica content also has a softening and smoothing effect on the skin and is assists a healthy skin composition" (hylunia.com) You are more likely to find this in an ingredient list then finding it on its own and adding it into something. If your dry patches look more like they stem from medical issues like a dermatitis or ezcema, then this might be a good one for you as it helps with wound repair and tissue healing.
Products
Here are a few products that are my go-to for dry skin or irregular dryness:
Skin Conditioning Oil- This little gem is an Arbonne staple in my home! I use it for everything from abrassions, irritations, stretch marks and dry patches. You can also add a few drops into your moisturizer to add some extra hydration. Just this morning I had to dab some drops onto my left temple as after applying my powder there was a massive dry patch CLICK HERE to order.
Origin's Overnight Mask- Featuring Avocado and Almond Kernal Oil, this overnight mask is a big 'ole drink of water to even the most parched skin. You do not have to use it all over, you can just put it over the areas of concern, and don't forget to change your pillowcase the next day ;-)
Skin Script’s Hydrating Moisturizer- Super rich and deeply hydrating, this is my winter moisturizer for my skin. We do retail all of Skin Script’s products, check them out HERE
The Body Shop Vitamin E Overnight Serum-in-Oil- You can probably see a pattern here, a lot of treatments for dry skin are done at night, that is when your body goes into it's circadian rhythm and repairs damage from the day. This little oil is loaded with amazing ingredients and hydrating for any skin without leaving you feeling greasy.
Dermalogica's Barrier Repair is wonderful for skin that's dry due to eczema or dermatitis. You can find this at Ulta, not the cheapest product but a little goes a long way!
If you use something else, comment below and share what works for you! Hopefully this was helpful and gets your skin back in balance!
Till next time, be good to your skin and even better to yourself,
xx eri