Dry skin can be uncomfortable and unsightly, but we don’t have to put up with it. There are changes we can make in our everyday lifestyles which improve the condition of the skin, keeping it feeling hydrated and looking great!

Here’s how to stop dry skin from making your life a misery.

What causes dry skin?

To understand how to help dry skin, you first have to discover what is causing it. Dry skin is a lack of moisture in the top level of the skin, called the epidermis. The epidermis loses moisture when its natural oil levels decrease. This can happen due to a number of factors, including:

• Overexposure to the sun
• Cold, dry air
• Ageing
• Poor diet
• Use of harsh chemical products
• Skin conditions such as eczema or psoriasis

Some people are genetically prone to dry skin – your skin has more chance of being dry if it runs in your family. However, for many people, their dry skin is largely caused by lifestyle choices. That's good news.... it means you have the power to change it and get that hydrated, glowing complexion you've always wanted!

What does dry skin look and feel like?

The most common warning sign of dry skin is if it feels tight and uncomfortable after cleansing. You may also notice that your skin looks redder, is uneven in colour and texture, or is flakey and starts peeling.

It’s important to know how to stop dry skin if you suffer from these symptoms, as it could get worse. If you don’t take preventative measures, your skin could crack as well as accelerate ageing.

Here are the major do’s and don’ts of how to help dry skin.

1. Don’t go outside without UV protection

Overexposure to the sun’s UV rays is a leading cause of dry skin. It’s important to cover up and wear products with SPF every time you go outside – especially during the summer. However it's important to remember that UV rays can be strong enough to harm your skin all year round, even on a cloudy day.

As well as preventing dry skin, protecting your skin naturally (avoid chemical sunscreens) from the sun also prevents skin cancer and keeps you looking younger by guarding your skin against the fine lines, wrinkles and age spots which can be caused by the sun’s UV rays.

2. Do drink plenty of water

Just like the rest of your body, your skin needs water to stay hydrated. Health organisations recommend drinking around two litres of water a day for maximum benefits, as our bodies lose water throughout the day, which needs to be replenished. If you're in a hot climate or exercising, you may need even more than this! 

You can help yourself further by cutting down on the coffee. We know it might help make you feel more awake, but it's unfortunately not healthy for your skin. Caffeine is a diuretic, which means it causes your body to lose the precious water your skin needs to maintain its moisture levels and stay looking plump and youthful.

3. Don’t use harsh chemical products

Many skincare products on the market today are actually do more harm than good to your skin. Harsh chemicals and artificial ingredients, such as benzyl alcohol and parabens, can strip the natural oils out of your skin, causing it to become dry and irritated. They can also alter the natural pH balance of your skin, which should be slightly acidic at around 5.5. If this balance gets upset, your skin can become dry, red and flaky. This even causes acne, as the skin then tries to overcompensate by producing excess oil that clogs the pores.

This is why it’s important to use organic skincare products made from 100% natural, caring ingredients. At Edible Beauty, we believe that everything you put on your skin should be so good and pure that you could literally eat it. With this in mind, we’ve developed a range of skincare products especially for dry skin. Packed with nourishing, botanical ingredients including macadamia nut oil, raspberry seed oil, mango butter and prickly pear, these luxurious products are designed to hydrate, soothe and repair dry skin, leaving your complexion looking fresh, glowing and youthful.

4. Do moisturise regularly

You should moisturise your face twice a day after cleansing, and apply a body moisturiser after every bath or shower. For best results, apply a serum before you moisturise to further hydrate and plump the skin, such as our Exotic Goddess Ageless Serum. Apply your products as soon as possible after cleansing, whilst the skin is still damp. This locks more moisture into your skin and reduces the chances of it becoming too dry.

It’s also important to use a moisturiser that’s right for the age of your skin. Your skin becomes drier as you age, so you’re more likely to suffer from dry skin if you’re aged over 40. For more mature skin, we recommend our & Coco Bliss Intensive Repair as either a night cream or nourishing mask, as well as a quality face oil, such as our & Snowflower Illuminating Face Oil which can be used under your moisturising lotion.

5. Don’t use hot water

If you suffer from dry skin, you shouldn’t have the water too hot in your bath or shower. The higher the water temperature, the more the water will strip the natural oils from your skin and disrupt the skin barrier.

Try to keep your baths and showers short – no longer than 10 to 15 minutes – and have the water no hotter than 28 degrees.

6. Do eat the right foods

You can help the outside of your body by nourishing it with the right ingredients from the inside! Many people wondering what causes dry skin don’t realise that their diet could be to blame. Poor diets that are heavy in processed foods lack the nutrients the skin needs to stay healthy and hydrated can play a large role in your dry skin.

Many vegan foods are ideal for helping your skin achieve optimal hydration levels. The best foods include: 

• Nuts. These contain high levels of Vitamin E, which prevents damage to the skin’s cells and skin barrier.
• Avocado. Avocado is high in monounsaturated fats. These are an excellent source of moisture and nourishment for the skin, and will keep your complexion looking even and youthful.
• Sweet potato. Rich in Vitamin A, sweet potato nourishes the skin and repairs damage to the skin’s tissue.
• Cucumber. Due to its high moisture content, cucumber helps to hydrate the skin and improve its elasticity. Cucumber also contains Vitamins A and C, to soothe dry skin and prevent skin damage.
• Spinach. Spinach is rich in zinc, which encourages healing and the growth of new cells. It can also protect you against dry skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis.

7. Don’t suffer in silence

If your dry skin doesn’t improve no matter what you do, you should see a health care professional, as you may have a skin condition which treatment beyond simple lifestyle changes.

Find out more about how to stop dry skin...

Make sure you check out our Edible Beauty Inside Out Guide to Dry Skin. If you would like more information about preventing dry skin, and the right products to use, please contact us. Our specialist team will be happy to provide the help and advice you need.