3 Sneaky Ways You are Drying Out Your Skin

In Maine, you have to be proactive about avoiding the constant itch of dry skin, especially as the seasons change and all the humidity gets sucked out of the air. I go from running a dehumidifier daily in sticky summers to running 3 humidifiers in the dead of winter. But sometimes the most routine habits are what is sneakily stripping your skin of its essential moisture.

Here are three sneaky ways you might be unintentionally drying out your skin—and what you can do to stop it!

1. Taking Steamy Showers (And Toweling Off All Wrong)

Welcome to my weakness. I live in a 106 year old house with no radiators in the bedrooms...or really, the whole upstairs. When I get up in the cold dark every morning, there is nothing I want more than to sear my skin off with the hottest water I can get. Unfortunately, that intense heat is a major culprit in skin dehydration.

When you crank up the temperature, the heat does a fantastic job of opening up your pores and dilating the blood vessels in your skin. The problem is that it also breaks down your natural oils (sebum) and damages your moisture barrier. The heat causes all that good moisture you think you're absorbing to evaporate even quicker once you step out, leaving you drier than you were before you started! This evaporation of water from your skin through the moisture barrier is called transepidermal water loss.

The Fix: Lower the temperature! A warm shower can still be great without all that hydration loss.

Bonus Tip: Slow down and stop scrubbing so hard! It's easy to start rushing to the next part of my day as soon as I step out of the shower. In my hurry, I end up scrubbing the water off of me! Too much friction can damage the skin's delicate moisture barrier. It is far better to gently pat your skin dry with a soft towel before applying your moisturizer.

2. Washing With Harsh, Poor-Quality Soaps

It's no shock that I'm saying this, but your soap might be ruining your skin's moisture barrier before you even get out of the tub! Many conventional, cheap bar soaps contain harsh detergents and chemicals designed to aggressively strip oils and dirt, but they don't discriminate—they strip away your natural, protective oils, too.

A big misconception is that all bar soaps do this. However, one of the most common things I read in my reviews and feedback is that beer soap leaves skin feeling moisturized and amazing. These beer soaps are known for leaving skin feeling softer and more moisturized than ever! Why? The vitamins in brewer's yeast actually help you retain moisture and ingredients like shea and cocoa butter help to restore your moisture barrier with skin-loving oils. Not to mention that hops is anti-inflammatory, meaning it can be calming for irritation. Here are some of my favorite beer soaps for dry skin.

My Personal Soap Revelation: I’ve been making and using beer soaps for so many years that I would wonder, 'Am I just biased?' Maybe those big brand soaps aren't that bad. So last year, while visiting a friend in Kentucky, I decided to test it out. One of her family members still used a commercial brand of soap, and it was already in the shower. I decided to give it a go. NOPE.

Even in the humid Kentucky climate, I COULD. NOT. STOP. ITCHING! I was so uncomfortable! I couldn't wait to get back in the shower the next day to use my good soap again.

After five-plus years of using exclusively my own beer soap, I wasn't biased. The difference was just obvious. If you are struggling with dry, itchy skin, upgrade to one of these beer soaps!

3. Overusing Alcohol-Based Sanitizers

It’s hard not to love the quick and easy splash of hand sanitizer, especially when you’re getting back in your car from grocery shopping or during peak flu season. However, this convenience comes at a drying cost.

Most hand sanitizers rely on a high percentage of alcohol (usually 60-95%) to effectively kill germs. This high alcohol content strips the natural oils from your skin, which is why your hands feel tight and dry after repeated use. Overuse can damage your skin's protective barrier over time, leaving it dry and susceptible to damage.

The Fix: Don't Be Lazy! Hand sanitizer has a time and a place—but it's not a replacement for thoroughly washing your hands with a moisturizing soap in warm water. Keep good quality soap on hand at home to use instead of this quick-fix when possible. 

By making these three small changes—turning down the heat, upgrading your soap, and reaching for the sink instead of the sanitizer—you can dramatically improve your skin's moisture levels and stop worrying about that itchy, dry feeling! Got tips and tricks of your own? Leave a comment below. I'd love to hear about them!

Cheers,

Elaine