From the fresh air to the changing colors of the leaves and the first sip of the season's pumpkin spiced latte, there's a lot to love about fall. But as soon as that light breeze turns into full frost, that cold air becomes very cold, and your skin can feel it. We are talking about dry, flaky and itchy skin. Since there are not many skin problems, we would like to avoid this at all costs.
Meet Our Experts : Flora Kim, MD, FAAD, Board Certified Dermatologist, Karen Campbell, MD, San Francisco Board Certified Dermatologist, Joshua Zeichner, MD, NYC Dermatologist, Janine B. Downey, MD, Dermatologist from New Jersey, Hadley King, MD, New York dermatologist.
The truth is that while most of us have experienced a dry spot or two at least once in our lives, it can be quite tricky to figure it out. What causes them? How can I get rid of this? And more importantly, how can I prevent them from happening in the first place? Luckily, we have enlisted certified dermatologists to unravel the mystery of dry skin once and for all. It's time to get to the bottom of those pesky dry spots and get rid of them forever. Next, learn about dry spots on the face, what they look like, what causes them, and what to do to prevent them from coming back.
What are dry spots?
While dry patches can be broken down into many specific conditions, FAAD board certified dermatologist Flora Kim, MD, says, “In general, facial dry patches are localized areas where the skin is deprived of moisture. Sometimes these plaques can also become inflamed and irritated, and we don't know what to do to fix the situation (more on that later).
These dry patches can be caused by a variety of conditions, including eczema, irritant or contact dermatitis, psoriasis, skin cancer, and bacterial or fungal infections, says Karen Campbell, a San Francisco-based board certified dermatologist. Campbell says one way to know if you have the common winter bug, eczema, or another type of dry spot is to consider how long and how often dry spots persist. "Eczema is a chronic, relapsing disease with isolated dry patches that are likely caused by temporary or trigger conditions," she said.
What do drylands look like?
Unfortunately, there is no single answer to this question, since not all dry soils are the same. Dr. Kim says dry patches can be pink or red and feel hard, hard, scaly, or itchy. The easiest way to recognize them is to touch the skin. If there are small areas on the surface that are slightly raised or have a different texture, such as rough sandpaper, it is most likely a dry area.
What Causes Dry Spots?
There are many different causes for dry patches, but one of the most common causes is coughing and extreme weather changes such as winter. In other cases, dry patches may be symptoms of a more serious skin condition. Or they could be a reflection of your skin care habits (and yes, washing your face too often can damage your skin) or the irritating products you use. These are the most likely culprits for these sandpaper stains.
1. Cold weather
While the cold season is full of fun and festivities, it's also notorious for wreaking havoc on our previously hydrated skin. If you live in a cold and windy climate, you know this fact is well known. “In winter, the skin is drier due to low temperatures, low humidity and strong winds,” says the doctor. King. “Also, the dry heat from heaters can dry out our skin even more because the skin loses more moisture to the air under these conditions.”
The quickest way to combat dry patches of skin caused by cold is to use a moisturizer. They moisturize dry air and help hydrate the skin. If you have a cold or flu, they may also help.
© getcanopy.co Canopy Opt humidifier only$150.00
Buy Now
2. Makeup remover
Removing makeup every night before bed is a necessary step in your nightly skincare routine. But the makeup remover you choose can be harmful. “Unfortunately, the very same ingredients that remove makeup from your skin can disrupt the microbiome (the healthy mix of good and bad bacteria on your skin’s surface) and disrupt the skin’s barrier function,” says New York City dermatologist Joshua Zeichner. York. . City.
© sokoglam.com Living Cleansing Balm$38.00
Buy Now
“The latest trend in skin care is probiotic products that support the healthy function of the outer layer of the skin,” says Dr. She recommends using a light, daily facial moisturizer that contains probiotics to balance the skin. Try this Éminence organic skincare product.
© dermstore.com Eminence Probiotic Moisturizer Light Skin$59.00
Buy Now
3. Seborrheic dermatitis
Seborrheic dermatitis is a condition where you suffer from dry, flaky skin. According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), more than three million people suffer from it every year. People suffering from it suffer from red, scaly, swollen and oily skin. Although seborrheic dermatitis often occurs on the scalp (you can blame it on your dandruff!), it can also affect more than just the scalp.
"Dry, flaky patches that appear on the eyebrows, sides of the nose, and smile lines can actually be a form of dandruff," says Dr. Zeichner. It may sound harsh, but everyone has live yeast on their skin. “When yeast levels get too high, it can cause inflammation and the characteristic scaly patches,” she adds.
To prevent dandruff, your anti-dandruff shampoo can be used as a facial cleanser to treat problematic skin. “Kamedis Dandruff Treatment Shampoo contains zinc pyrithione, which reduces yeast levels in the skin and eliminates dry patches,” says Dr. Zeichner. It also does not use a light foaming shampoo, which is a bonus for effective treatment of the affected area.
© amazon.com Kamedis Therapy Anti-Dandruff Shampoo$19.99
Buy Now
4. Eczema/atopic dermatitis
According to the Cleveland Clinic, 15 million Americans suffer from eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis. A common skin problem causes the skin to become inflamed, resulting in a red, scaly, itchy rash.
“Eczema is a genetic disorder in which the skin barrier doesn’t work properly, leading to moisture loss, inflammation, and dry patches,” says Dr. Zeichner. When choosing a cleanser, look for "a real soap that has an alkaline pH and breaks down the outer layer of the skin." Instead, opt for a gentle, soap-free shower gel that hydrates your skin while you shower, like Dove Beauty Bar. "This is a soap-free cleansing bar that hydrates, soothes and evens out the skin."
© amazon.com Dove Beauty Bar Mild Cleanser$6.75
Buy Now
5. Rosacea
The AAD reports that 14 million Americans suffer from rosacea every year. “Rosacea is a condition in which the skin is very sensitive and overreacts to the environment,” says the doctor. Zeichner. According to the AAD, some common symptoms include mild redness and redness of the nose and cheeks. “Patients also often develop dry patches,” says the doctor. Zeichner.
Look for moisturizers that protect your skin from the harsh elements of the environment. Dr. Zeichner recommends pairing Aveeno Ultra Soothing Daily Moisturizer Broad SPF 30 with "soothing oat extract with anti-inflammatory action and mineral UV protection."
© amazon.com Aveeno Ultra Soothing Fragrance Free Daily Moisturizer$48.98
Buy Now
6. Your diet
There are some factors that you cannot change, such as genetics and weather. But what can you control that affects how your skin looks? your diet. “To maintain healthy skin’s moisture barrier, you need to eat enough healthy fats,” says Dr. King. Increase your intake of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids such as salmon, walnuts, flaxseed and chicken and you will notice an improvement in skin tone.
7. Hot water
Another common cause is excessive washing (which many of us have been doing since 2020 thanks to COVID-19), says Campbell. Unfortunately, using very hot water can worsen the condition. Dr. “Long or frequent baths and showers, especially hot ones, dry out the skin because they strip the skin of the protective oils it naturally produces,” says King. “These oils form a protective barrier that helps retain moisture and protects us from harsh environmental conditions. When oils are lost, water evaporates more easily from the skin, leaving it dry.
To solve this problem, take a shower with warm water instead of hot. If your skin turns red, the water is too hot. Dr. King recommends including a gentle shower gel like Dove Beauty Bar in your routine because it "doesn't strip skin of oil and moisture." Limit showering to no more than eight minutes a day.
8. Excessive abrasion
When performing your skin care routine, it is important to avoid over-cleansing your skin. Excessive scratching can break down this protective moisture barrier and make it easier for moisture to penetrate. The skin naturally exfoliates, but if you want to add a scrub or chemical exfoliant, dermatologists agree that once or twice a week is enough.
© sephora.com Mandelic Acid Exfoliator + Superfood Unity$38.00
Buy Now
9. Foods and medications that dehydrate you
Kim says there are some common causes like harsh or drying medications or skin care products like retinoids, AHAs or BHAs.
If dry patches appear, you may need to cut back on products that can dry out your skin, including retinols, AHAs, and BHAs. Switching to fragrance-free products can also help, according to New Jersey dermatologist Janine B. Downey, M.D. Perfumes can irritate and dry out the skin, which is something you don't want when you're trying to rejuvenate your face.
How to get rid of dry spots?
Luckily, these dry patches won't last forever. If you think you know the cause of blemishes based on the above, like a new skin care product, cut it out of your routine, stat.
Whether you can pinpoint the cause or not, the first step to eliminating dryness is finding the holy grail, a rich, delicious moisturizer. "Try to apply your restorative moisturizer as quickly and effectively as possible," says Kim. He recommends taking care of your skin. Some patches require twice-daily moisturizer, while others may require hourly care. Her over-the-counter moisturizers are Aquaphor Healing Ointment and CeraVe Moisturizer.
© amazon.com Ointment Aquaphor$15.97
Buy Now
Stick to strong moisturizers to keep your skin hydrated all winter long. “Look for products that combine humectants like hyaluronic acid and glycerin with emollients like ceramides, petroleum jelly and shea butter,” says New York City-based dermatologist Hadley King.
Also, consider replacing gel-based moisturizers and cleansers with cream-based formulas. If you're prone to breakouts, make sure you're using a non-greasy moisturizer so you can apply it liberally without risking breakouts. Look for labels that say "non-comedogenic" or "non-acnegenic," which means the product won't clog pores or make acne worse.
© amazon.com CeraVe Moisturizer$17.78
Buy Now
Campbell warns that some more severe dry patches may require a prescription steroid cream. If you notice that the area of the dry patch is red and itchy, buy a hydrocortisone cream that can be found at your local pharmacy.
Diagnosing dry patches can be tricky unless you're a board-certified dermatologist yourself, but Campbell recommends seeing your local dermatologist for a proper diagnosis. This is the only sure way to get rid of these spots quickly and easily.
Additional Report by Nicole Saunders and Grace Gold