Flaky, patchy, dry skin is a common challenge for many of us. We can expect this during the colder months when the air is drier and we’re cranking up the heat everywhere, but what if dry skin is happening all year?

Your skin drying out is your body’s way of telling you that it’s lacking something important, and correcting it is actually simple. 

What causes dry skin?

Dry skin happens when your body doesn’t have enough sebum–the oil your body naturally produces–to give you that dewy glow that we all want. The causes for dry skin can be internal or external.

• Not enough water intake. Water plays such an important role in our bodily functions that we can experience all kinds of miscues without it, including dry skin. You need about half of your body weight in fluid ounces of water a day to support the body functions that impact the skin. Make this a part of your daily lifestyle and you will notice your skin hydrating and regulating from the inside out. Drink water, not fruit juice or sports drinks which can make skin problems even worse!
• Not enough water-based fruits and veggies in the diet. Yes, you need to eat your water, too. Foods like cucumbers, watermelon, squash, really anything with a watery inside can contribute to hydrating your body inside and out. Get creative with your recipes as long as you’re not adding too much salt or processed sugar.
• Using too much product. This is a big one because many people with acne or any skin challenge try to overcompensate by using more than the recommended amount of product for treatment. Some ingredients for treating acne, aging signs, and other skin conditions can be very drying for the skin, especially around the eyes, nose and mouth. Never use more than the recommended amount and always stick to your esthetician’s guidance when using acne treatment products.
• Sleeping in dry air. An air humidifier is an essential skincare tool if you have dry skin. Our skin goes into rejuvenation mode while we sleep. If the air in the room is dry, you may wake up to flaky, peeling skin most mornings. Try sleeping with a humidifier in your room and the door closed every night to keep your skin in a hydrated environment.

If you ever experience dry skin, add some or all of these tips to your lifestyle. Your skin will thank you.