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How to Soften and Hydrate Flaky Skin

Picture of a flaky cheek

Flaky skin refers to skin that appears dry, rough, and scaly. It is characterized by the presence of small, white or greyish flakes on the surface of the skin, which can be itchy, uncomfortable, and unsightly.

Flaky skin is usually caused by a lack of moisture in the skin, which can be due to a variety of factors such as cold weather, low humidity, hot showers or baths, harsh soaps or cleansers, certain medical conditions, or aging.

Flaky skin can occur on any part of the body, but it is most commonly seen on the face, arms, legs, and scalp.

Dry, flaky skin can be a major nuisance. Sufferers may have tried countless products and methods, to no avail. It can start to feel like an unsolvable problem!

But there’s hope yet – with the help of tailored care, you may say goodbye to uncomfortable and frustrating flareups, and enjoy healthy, glowing skin.

In this blog post, we’ll cover some of the top strategies that can minimize flakes and provide relief.

Potential causes of flaky skin

  1. Dry air: Cold, dry air can cause moisture to evaporate from the skin, leaving it dry and flaky.
  2. Low humidity: Similarly, low humidity levels can cause the skin to lose moisture and become dry and flaky.
  3. Hot showers or baths: Prolonged exposure to hot water can strip the skin of its natural oils, leading to dryness and flakiness.
  4. Harsh soaps or cleansers: Using soaps or cleansers that are too harsh or contain harsh chemicals can strip the skin of its natural oils, leading to dryness and flakiness.
  5. Skin conditions: Certain skin conditions, such as eczema, psoriasis, and seborrheic dermatitis, can cause flaky skin.
  6. Allergies: Some people may experience flaky skin as a result of an allergic reaction to a particular product or ingredient.
  7. Medical conditions: Certain medical conditions, such as thyroid disorders, diabetes, and HIV/AIDS, can cause dry, flaky skin.
  8. Aging: As we age, our skin naturally becomes drier and less elastic, which can lead to flakiness and other signs of aging.
  9. Poor nutrition: A lack of essential nutrients, particularly vitamins A and C, can lead to dry, flaky skin.

It’s important to identify the underlying cause of flaky skin in order to choose the most appropriate treatment.

Methods for treating dry skin

Identify the Cause

If you find yourself dealing with dry, flaky skin on the face, taking the time to identify what’s causing it can help you pinpoint the best possible treatment plan.Generally speaking, it could be something as simple as cold temperatures outside or the humidity being too low.

Other influential factors include genetics, any major hormonal drops in your body, and even certain medications that you may be taking.

Pay attention to the patterns around this issue to eventually figure out the real cause and create an action plan to get those results faster!

If you’re unsure of the cause, it’s always best to consult with a dermatologist.

Moisturize Regularly

Moisturizing regularly is one of the most effective ways to treat your skin and keep it looking youthful.

So, what should you be looking for? First, find a moisturizer that contains goodies like hyaluronic acid, glycerine, or ceramides. These wonderful ingredients will help lock in moisture and keep your skin feeling healthier and more hydrated.

Don’t forget to use the moisturizer properly! Apply your facial moisturizer after cleansing your face morning and night. It only takes a moment but trust us, you’ll be thankful when you see soothed and vibrant skin looking back at you in the mirror.

Avoid Hot Showers and Baths

Hot showers and baths might feel really good, but they can actually strip the skin of its natural oils. This can cause further dryness and flaking.

A better option is to take lukewarm showers or baths, and to keep them under 10-15 minutes. Once you’re finished, pat your skin dry with a soft towel (no vigorous rubbing!).

Use a Gentle Cleanser

Using a gentle cleanser is essential for treating dry, flaky skin on the face.

Look for a cleanser that is free from harsh ingredients such as sulphates and alcohol, which can further dry out the skin.

Instead, choose a gentle, non-foaming cleanser that will effectively remove dirt and impurities without stripping the skin’s natural oils.

Exfoliate Regularly

Exfoliating regularly can help keep your skin clear and smooth. But you want to try to be gentle, because abrasive exfoliants can damage or irritate the skin in the long run. 

To avoid that, look for a chemical exfoliant containing alpha hydroxyl acids (AHAs) or beta hydroxyl acids (BHAs). These ingredients are good at dissolving dead skin cells while also being really gentle to the skin. 

Overall it’s important to remember you have lots of options when choosing an exfoliant, so you don’t need to use an abrasive one!

Protect Your Skin from the Sun

The sun definitely has lasting effects on skin, especially for those with naturally dry, flaky complexions. To ensure your skin is properly protected all summer long and beyond, it’s important to incorporate a sunscreen into your daily routine.

Sunscreen should always have an SPF of 30 or higher for optimal protection, so take the time to find one that fits this criteria and gently shields your skin from harmful UV rays.

And to be extra safe, look out for moisturizers specifically formulated for facial use and whatever you do, avoid any containing strong fragrances or other possible irritants. 

Your skin will thank you!

Hydrate from the Inside Out

Finally, it’s essential to hydrate from the inside out – quench your thirst regularly with water.

Eating a balanced diet is an ideal way to nourish yourself and get the nutrients you need. By incorporating foods with high levels of omega-3 fatty acids, like salmon, flaxseed and walnuts, you can maintain skin that’ s moisturized and in top condition.

Get creative with these ingredients – grilled salmon, roasted walnuts… the possibilities are endless!

Conclusion

In conclusion, when it comes to treating dry and flaky skin on the face, it’s all about lifestyle and skincare habits. Figuring out what is causing your dry skin is the key first step to getting it relieved.

You can try some new tricks and tips for healthy, glowing, and hydrated skin like using gentle facial cleansers designed for sensitive skin or avoiding overly hot showers.

However, if these measures fail to provide relief, you may need more professional help.

Scheduling an appointment with a dermatologist might be ideal in this case. Your doctor may want to investigate further if any underlying medical issues that are contributing to your discomfort and provide treatment recommendations to best care for your skin.

About author

Selma Durmo M. Pharm

“As far as I can remember I have always struggled with sensitive skin. The issues culminated in my mid-twenties when I started having rosacea flares and redness. My personal quest for effective, safe solutions took a professional turn, and I was given the opportunity to apply my (Pharma) background in developing a new skin friendly product line. My goal was to create something new, a clinically proven sustainable skincare brand. This science backed probiotic skincare derived technology is a product of years of research and innovation in personal care products. Metabiotics contain naturally produced hyaluronic acid, lactic acid, SMase, lipoteichoic acid, over 40 peptides and enzymes. All assigned with specific tasks for activating the skins native repair mechanisms.” 

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Clean

Following the principles of Clean Beauty, we have joined the dedicated stream of safe, non-toxic beauty enthusiasts.

Our products contain carefully selected hypoallergenic ingredients suitable for sensitive and reactive skin.

We’re committed to formulating with natural, organically-derived, and skin-friendly synthetics while excluding popular “good feeling” and potentially harmful compounds to provide the best skincare solutions.

“It is easy to get hooked on conventional products, with inviting perfumes and the instantly pleasant skin feeling. The sooner you understand that those sensations are short-lived the better! Choose Clean Beauty and allow the science backed ingredients time to work wonders on your skin.”

Cinically proven

Our products’ superiority has been proven in a controlled study on 50 volunteers where it was shown that four-week product use leads to a significant increase in skin moisture levels (39%), increased skin elasticity (50%), and a decrease in the appearance of wrinkles (23%).

Other beneficial effects include decrease in skin sensitivity, increase in skin cleanliness, evenness of the skin tone, decrease in acne formation.

This study serves as proof of the skin’s gradual return of its protective layer, integrity, and balance. All study results have been published in a peer reviewed journal as well as the full study report.

“Putting all science aside, we are most proud of our users’ testimonials. All tested volunteers claimed visible and tangible improvement in skin feel and appearance.”

Transparency

The greatest breakthrough discovery we stumbled upon is that skincare and cosmetics should not be sensational.

Personal care should be comprehensive, accessible, and efficient, just as all solutions that come from nature are.

We are often faced with labels such as anti aging skin care, organic skin care, natural skincare products, which lack the necessary explanation… What do these phrases actually mean?

“Grown tired of all the misleading, incomprehensive, irrelevant information used in the beauty industry we decided to stick to a no-nonsense approach. It is what it is, and skin care is not magic! It requires commitment, patience and understanding your skins’ needs.”

Sustainable

We are dedicated to neutralizing our negative impact on the environment as much as possible and have joined the stream of sustainable skincare brands. We’re taking you on for the ride (we’ve even packed the goodies)!

To help minimize our carbon footprint, for every product order a tree will be planted thanks to our amazing planters at One Tree Planted. It’s estimated that a mature tree nullifies around 20lbs of CO2 a year.

We’re doing our best to reuse, reduce and recycle. Wishing to inspire a circular economy we have partnered up, to create a customized recycling program. Collect three empty plastic packages to receive your Anbiome Recycling Envelope and follow the instructions on how to take part in our recycling mission. 

Your good deed shall be rewarded. For every three products recycled you receive one product gift!

Technology

Today’s trends in skincare require the use of synthetic active ingredients which interact with the skin. Our approach is to distinguish natural alternatives, which mimic the skins native repair mechanism and are more efficient and ecologically sound.

Translating solutions from nature into industrial settings is hardly an easy task, but it’s one we enjoy undertaking.

We have screened 500+ different wild probiotic strains from the nature, to find the most powerful ones.

Special fermentation process was developed to harvest powerful molecules (HA, LTA, SMase, LA and 40 peptides).

Result is the composition of native signal components and molecules that keep the skin balanced, healthy and protected.