Don’t worry you are not alone, dry skin it’s a common condition that affects people of all ages. When your skin loses moisture rapidly, it can become dehydrated. Factors such as age, medical history, the time of year, and bathing routines can contribute to dry skin.

What is dry skin?

Dry skin, which is also called xerosis, is like your skin feeling thirsty. When your skin doesn't have enough moisture, it can start to show signs like feeling tight, itchy, flaky, or even developing little cracks.

Types of dry skin:

• Contact dermatitis: It’s a kind of irritation that occurs when the skin comes into contact with a substance that triggers an allergic reaction (Allergic contact dermatitis) or irritation (Irritant contact dermatitis)
• Eczema: Is the name for a group of inflammatory skin conditions that cause itchiness, dry skin, rashes, scaly patches, blisters, and skin infections. Many people with eczema use the phrase “flare-up” to describe experiencing one or more symptoms. Some of the most common causes are a family history of eczema, being exposed to certain environmental triggers, and stress.
• Seborrheic dermatitis is a common skin condition that mainly affects the scalp. This causes scaly areas, inflammation of the skin, and stubborn dandruff. It typically affects oily body areas such as the face, sides of the nose, eyebrows, ears, eyelids, and chest. This condition can be irritating, but it is not contagious and does not cause permanent hair loss.
• Athlete's foot is a fungal infection of the skin that typically starts between the toes. It often affects individuals whose feet have become excessively sweaty, especially when wearing tight-fitting shoes. Symptoms of athlete's foot include itchy, dry, flaky skin. This condition is contagious and can spread through contact with contaminated floors, towels, or clothing.

What causes dry skin?

If you are asking yourself “Why is my skin so dry?” keep reading, there are several reasons why your skin might get dehydrated and these are the most frequent ones: 

• Age: As people age, the skin thins and produces less of the oils needed for the skin to retain water.
• Climate: In dry climates with low humidity levels the air can draw moisture away from the skin. Cold air tends to be drier, and when combined with indoor heating, it can further strip the skin of its natural oils. This can result in chapped, rough skin that feels tight and uncomfortable.
• Health conditions and genetics: Health conditions and genetics can play a role in the development of dry skin. Individuals with a genetic predisposition or certain health conditions may be more susceptible to dry skin. Conditions such as allergies, eczema, diabetes, and kidney disease can all contribute to dry skin as a symptom. If you have a family history of dry skin or any of these health conditions, you may be at a higher risk of experiencing dry skin symptoms.
• Occupations: Frequent hand washing, exposure to harsh chemicals, outdoor work, air conditioning, friction, and stress in occupations can lead to dry skin. Healthcare workers, janitors, outdoor workers, and those in stressful jobs are particularly affected.
• Too much bathing or scrubbing: It can lead to dryness because it strips the skin of its natural oils. These oils are essential for maintaining skin hydration and a healthy barrier function. Excessive bathing, especially with hot water can remove these oils, leaving the skin dry, irritated, and more susceptible to moisture loss.
• Harsh soaps and detergents: They often contain strong chemicals and ingredients that can strip the skin of its natural oils. These oils are crucial for keeping the skin hydrated and maintaining its protective barrier. That’s why OffCourt’s Body Washes are Sulfate-free so they won’t strip important natural oils, and have glycolic and lactic acids to gently exfoliate leaving the skin smooth and hydrated even with frequent showering.
• Medical treatments: After undergoing cancer treatment, receiving dialysis, or taking certain medications, some individuals may develop dry, thick skin.

Symptoms of Dry Skin

• Tightness or feeling of skin dehydration.
• Flaky or rough texture of the skin
• Excessive itchiness
• Infections
• Skin burns or stings
• Peeling skin
• Dry patches
• Redness or inflammation, particularly in irritated areas
• Fine lines or wrinkles, appearing more prominent due to lack of moisture

How Can I Prevent Dry Skin?

One of the first things you should pay attention to is your hygiene routine, the products you use, have a big impact on the quality of your skin. That’s why, when you shower, we suggest using sulfate-free products (sulfates are harsh detergents that can strip the skin of its natural oils, leading to dryness and irritation) and moisturizing properties. For example, OffCourt Deep Cleansing Body Wash is sulfate-free and has glycolic and lactic acid which are two functional alpha hydroxy acids that are helpful with hydration.

Deep Cleansing Body Wash - Coconut Water + Sandalwood

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If you are a soap person and prefer to use a bar of soap over a body wash, OffCourt has an exfoliating body soap that leaves the skin smooth and hydrated. And why is that? Because when you exfoliate your skin, you remove the dead cells from the surface, revealing the newer and fresher skin underneath which is softer and smoother. Additionally, the exfoliating soap bar has shea butter, olive oil, and sunflower seed extract all of which are high in vitamins and have hydrating properties, designed to overcome dryness and promote the regeneration of skin cells, helping to improve the overall health and appearance of the skin

Exfoliating Body Soap - Fig Leaves + White Musk

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Additional habits to help deal with dryness of your skin: 

• Avoid using hot water to bathe or shower.
• Shower every other day instead of every day.
• Keep your shower time to less than 10 minutes.
• Apply moisturizer immediately after bathing or showering to any part of your skin .
• Pat, rather than rub, wet skin dry with a soft towel.
• Avoid itching or scrubbing dry patches.
• Use a humidifier in your home.
• Drink plenty of water.

Final Thoughts

Keeping your skin hydrated throughout the year can be very challenging, especially if you have an active lifestyle, which involves showering more frequently than normal. That's why it's important to make small adjustments to your routine that can have a big impact on the health and well-being of your skin. All OffCourt’s products are formulated to perform and offer hydration that works with sweat, not against it.

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