Raechele Cochran Gathers, MD Fixing Dry and Ashy Skin
Dry skin is no fun. Dry skin can feel tight, itchy and plain old uncomfortable. The colder the climate you live in, the drier your skin can get. Here are ten ways to heal and fix dry ashy skin for good.
1. Avoid Hot Showers
Who doesn’t like to luxuriate in a long hot shower or decadent bubble bath? But watch out: The hotter the water, the drier your skin can get. Hot showers and baths can suck the moisture right out of your skin, leaving your skin ashy, dry and maybe even itchier. Take quick showers and baths and dial back the temperature!
2. Moisturize RIGHT after Bathing
Don’t wait for 20 minutes after your shower to think about putting on a body cream. To fix dry, ashy skin, you should be moisturizing within 5 minutes of getting out of the shower or bath.
3. Ointments > Creams> Lotions
In the quest to fix dry, ashy skin, always remember that ointments are better moisture sealants than creams, which are in turn better than lotions. In the summer, you might be able to get away with using a light-weight lotion to moisturize your skin. But winter often calls for something thicker. A good cream is Cerave Moisturizing Cream. If you’re looking for an ointment, Aquaphor Healing Ointment is terrific. It’s very thick, but it’s super for ashy knees and elbows, and it can also help soften dry, cracked heels.
4. Use an Oil to Seal in Moisture
If you’re looking for something more holistic to fix dry, ashy skin, you should consider a natural oil. Natural oils have hydrating, moisturizing and occlusive properties to help lock in moisture to your skin and make it more supple. Baobab oil, derived from a tree native to Africa has a high saturated and unsaturated fat content, which helps decrease water loss from the skin and improves your skin’s barrier function, keeping it firm and youthful looking. Emu oil is another great natural oil for the skin. In addition to moisturizing your skin and keeping it well hydrated, emu oil may also increase collagen production. Collagen is one of the proteins that makes your skin firm and wrinkle free.
5. Avoid Drying and Irritating Products
Don’t using regular soaps when you bathe. They’re more likely to leave your skin dry and ashy. Look for sulfate free, fragrance free and soap free cleansers. Aveeno cleanser is gentle, and one that many dermatologists recommend since it won’t strip your skin. Also remember that scented and fragranced skin lotions and soaps can irritate your skin too. Here’s a list of skin product ingredients to watch out for.
6. Exfoliate Regularly
Exfoliating your skin can help you get rid of old dead skin cells that can make your skin look ashy and dull. You don’t have to scrub yourself raw to exfoliate. Instead, try gentle exfoliating gloves twice a month along with your favorite gentle body wash. They’ll make your skin smoother and softer.
7. Blot (Don’t Rub) Yourself Dry
Rubbing your skin dry after bathing could cause additional irritation, and even tiny tears in your skin. Instead, use a cotton towel to pat or blot your skin until it’s almost dry—but still a little moist. While your skin’s still a little damp, apply your moisturizer of choice.
8. Drink Your Water
Don’t ignore your water intake. If you’re dehydrated, your skin is just going to dry out. Make sure that you’re drinking an adequate amount of water every day. For many people, the right amount is between 6-8 eight ounce glasses of water a day. But that number really depends on your body and your activity level. Hate water? Try to infuse it with some fruit. You can add whatever fruits or veggies you like.
9. Get a Humidifier
Another way of fixing dry, ashy skin is to make sure that the air in your home isn’t too dry. If you live in a cool climate and have forced air heat in your house, your skin is likely to be much drier. Consider getting a humidifier for the rooms that you spend the most time in. They’ll add much needed moisture to the air. This is especially important if you’ve been diagnosed with eczema.
10. Limit Caffeine and Alcohol
Both alcohol and caffeine are diuretics. That means that it’s easier to get dehydrated if you’re drinking a lot of them. If you’re planning a night out, or have a heavy Starbucks habit, just make sure that you’re chasing those drinks with some water! Otherwise, your skin will be that much drier.
