4 Easy Secrets to Preventing Dry Fall Skin

Fall is often associated with changing leaves, pumpkin spice, apple picking and cooler weather. Along with all these great signs of fall comes dry skin. If you know that your skin tends to dry out when the weather changes, you can prepare yourself ahead of time to prevent it from happening. Knowing how to prevent dry skin before it becomes a problem can help you avoid a fall full of flaky skin and irritation. The dermatologists at Dermatology & Mohs Surgery Institute have the secrets to help.

Causes of Dry Skin

If your skin feels tight or rough, itches, flakes or has redness, you likely have dry skin. Factors that cause dry skin are typically due to a change in the weather, taking showers that are too hot, or using the wrong skincare products. Since the fall often swings between cold and hot days, the skin cannot adapt as quickly as it does during more consistent seasons. When the humidity dissipates from the summer, this can also dry the skin as it takes away moisture. If you take hot showers, the skin will dry out due to the temperature change. It is recommended you take warm showers and use proper skincare products after. If you aren’t sure what skincare products to use, ask your dermatologist.

Prevent Dry Skin with These Tips

To prevent dry skin when the weather becomes colder, cover your skin as much as possible when you’re outside. Wear a scarf, hat, and gloves to help your skin retain its moisture and avoid drying out. When the weather becomes hot, keep your skin moisturized. Retaining moisture is an essential step in dry skin prevention.

Moisturizers should be purchased based on your skin type. They should be used daily to avoid dry skin from occurring. The moisturizer should list hydrating ingredients, such as hyaluronic acid, ceramides, aloe vera, and/or shea butter. Any products with one or more of these ingredients will help your skin retain its moisture while rehydrating it at the same time. Body washes should also have one or more of the same ingredients as your moisturizer. This ensures you are keeping your skin as hydrated as possible. Additionally, limit your shower to no longer than 10 minutes. Hot water combined with a long shower will strip your skin of any moisture it has.

If you aren’t able to prevent dry skin, our dermatologists can provide treatment options. If you come down with a season of dry skin continue moisturizing and limiting the length and how hot your shower is. If your dry skin persists, seeking a dry skin treatment with our dermatologists can provide treatment options, such as topical creams or antibiotics that are prescription strength. If you have questions or concerns and are in Bloomington, Illinois or the surrounding areas, complete this form to get in touch with the dermatologists at Dermatology & Mohs Surgery Institute.