Is the skin on your face and body feeling itchy? This could be an annoying and uncomfortable side effect of winter dryness or something else entirely. Read on to uncover the root cause of your issues and learn about skin care solutions to ease the discomfort you may feel from dry, itchy skin.
What Causes Itchy Skin?
Figuring out the cause of your itchy skin can be a bit of a scavenger hunt since there are all sorts of possible culprits. Some of these issues are environmental — like seasonal changes (especially in winter), bug bites or irritants like poison ivy — while others are allergic reactions to things like foods or animals. Others still can be blamed on skin conditions like dermatitis, eczema and psoriasis.
Weather
Itchy, dry skin is very commonly caused by weather and environment. In the winter, when the air gets dry and cold, we often exacerbate things by turning up the heat and taking long, hot baths. This combination can do a number on the skin. And it’s not only in the winter. Any seasonal change can disrupt the epidermis and lead to inflammation. A vacation to the arid desert can suddenly rob the skin of moisture, as can hot sun (and sunburns) or other abrupt changes in air temperature and moisture levels.
Allergies
Another common issue that can show up on the skin is an allergic reaction. Certain foods and medications, pet dander and fabrics could send your skin into the red zone. It may feel itchy and dry and can also develop hives, rashes or a burning feeling. Other symptoms like swelling of the face or airways can be dangerous and you should consult with your doctor if you’re concerned.
Age
Wisdom comes with age. Unfortunately, so does dry skin. Over time, the skin’s stores of hyaluronic acid diminish as a result of the body’s natural aging processes. This naturally-occurring substance, which attracts and retains moisture, is crucial for keeping skin soft and supple. Without lipids or sebum, dry skin cannot stay lubricated, leading to the skin barrier becoming compromised. Since skin also becomes thinner with age, this can be a recipe for disaster.
Other Lifestyle Factors
Skin that feels or looks dry can also be caused by lifestyle factors. Dehydration can happen when you’re not consuming enough fluids, and this can show up on your face. Everyone is susceptible to dehydrated skin because, unlike dry skin (which is lacking in oil), dehydrated skin (which is lacking in water) is caused by external factors like what you eat and drink.
Not enough liquid in your diet can lead to dehydrated skin. This can show up as dark circles under the eyes, flaky patches, dull skin and sensitivity. An unhealthy diet can also lead to dehydrated skin. Fresh fruits and vegetables, plus healthy fats like wild-caught salmon, nuts, avocado, olive oil, eggs and meat from grass-fed animals, can make a big difference. These foods include essential fatty acids and mono and polyunsaturated fats that contribute to both your skin and your overall health.
Skin Conditions
Some common conditions that cause the skin to feel dry and itchy include dermatitis, psoriasis and eczema. Dermatitis can exist in many forms and can show up on the skin as dryness, itching, rashes and sometimes swelling. Causes include environmental triggers, stress, hormonal changes and irritation from things like detergents and certain ingredients in beauty products, contact with irritating plants like poison oak, poison ivy and certain grasses.
Eczema is a chronic skin disorder that includes itchy, scaly rashes. Causes aren’t easy to pin down (many blame irritants that can cause the immune system to overreact). Triggers can include stress, food sensitivities, temperature changes and contact with certain chemicals or preservatives.
Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease that causes skin discoloration and irritation in the form of scaly, dry and itchy skin on the hands, feet, neck, scalp and face, among other areas of the body.
If you’re concerned that your dry, itchy skin is more than just a reaction to the weather or inherent factors, relying solely on skin care or skin care products may not be the solution. We recommend seeing your doctor for diagnosis and products to help treat these conditions.
Products To Treat Dry, Itchy Skin
If your dry skin is not due to a medical condition, it can still cause discomfort as well as further issues. Dry skin can become irritated, especially when it’s accompanied by itching. Skin on the face and body can become raw and red, and can even crack. This is why it’s important to treat dry skin and to make sure it’s done with the right products.
Body
Since harsh product ingredients trigger dry and itchy skin, it’s important to be aware of what you’re using on and near your body. From laundry detergents to body washes, lotions, facial cleansers and treatments, there are lots of opportunities to make matters worse. At Eminence Organic Skin Care, we’ve always been committed to creating products that contain no harsh chemicals.
When it comes to the body, removing dry skin with a scrub or exfoliant is the first step. Once the skin is buffed and the top layer removed, it’s much easier for the moisturizing and hydrating products to get absorbed. Our Stone Crop Revitalizing Body Scrub is a great option for full body exfoliation. It uses both natural cane sugar granules and mineral-rich sea salt to exfoliate the skin, plus stone crop for moisture and antioxidants from lemon peel and green tea.
Our Coconut Sugar Scrub is another product that uses sugar cane granules to exfoliate and buff the top layers of skin, while coconut oil deeply hydrates and replenishes.
Once the dead skin has been buffed away, the skin on the body is ready for moisture. The Stone Crop Body Lotion is formulated with stone crop, lemon and bioflavonoids to enrich, support and moisturize the skin’s appearance.
To combat itchy skin at night, our Monoi Age Corrective Night Body Cream does the trick. This ultra-rich body lotion locks in moisture to reveal firm, velvety looking skin by morning. Lightly fragranced with monoi, this body cream helps alleviate itchiness due to dry skin.
For something a little more lightweight that is still heavy on the moisture, try our Strawberry Rhubarb Hyaluronic Body Lotion. It contains aloe, panthenol and hyaluronic acid to deeply hydrate, preserve moisture in the skin and protect the skin’s moisture barrier. All of this, plus a delicious scent and creamy feel.
And finally, if you want to leave it to the professionals and get a good baseline moisture reboot that you can extend at home, a body wrap is a great option. The Mango Enzyme Body Wrap contains active enzymes and vitamins that infuse the skin with hydration and gently exfoliate to leave a refreshed look. You’ll leave the spa with skin that feels smooth and hydrated.
Face
As mentioned, dry, itchy skin on the face can be traced back to a number of causes, but if you’re looking to add moisture and bring the softness, bounce and glow back to your dry complexion, we have some suggestions.
Before nourishing the skin with a moisturizer, an exfoliating treatment can help remove the top layer of dry, itchy skin and make it easier for your products to absorb. Avoid exfoliating if the skin is irritated or feeling sensitive, but if you’re just a little tight and rough, a gentle exfoliator is a good first step. We love the Stone Crop Oxygenating Fizzofoliant for this. With its light fizzing action, this revitalizing formula gently invigorates the skin and removes impurities to reveal a beautiful, brighter-looking complexion that’s ready for a dose of hydration.
Another treatment that will help get the skin on your face ready to receive the moisture is our Calm Skin Chamomile Exfoliating Peel. It contains chamomile, to balance the look of skin, and lactic acid, which exfoliates and offers intense hydration. Plus, it’s gentle enough to use up to three times a week.
Oil-based ointments, creams and lotions that are rich in essential fatty acids can compensate for dry skin’s lack of oil and lipids. They lubricate the skin’s surface as well as fortify the skin’s moisture barrier to replenish and seal in much-needed moisture. “When choosing moisturizer for dry skin, aim for a heavier formula and look for ingredients like hyaluronic acid … ” explains Dr. Hooman Khorasani, a quadruple board-certified dermatologic and cosmetic surgeon in New York City. “Other ingredients to look for include shea butter and lactic acid, which provide hydration and exfoliation.”
Our Coconut Age Corrective Moisturizer includes deeply moisturizing coconut oil and shea butter. Shea butter, in particular, is an excellent emollient for the skin, as it’s high in triglycerides and fatty acids which restore and retain moisture.
Some other deeply hydrating options include the Strawberry Rhubarb Hyaluronic Hydrator. It contains powerful ingredients like panthenol, which reinforces skin hydration and prevents moisture loss by protecting the skin moisture barrier and our Botanical Hyaluronic Acid Complex, a unique blend of multi-weight hyaluronic acid and marshmallow root that deeply hydrates and preserves moisture in the skin. The Firm Skin Acai Moisturizer is a nourishing option for aging skin. It contains deeply hydrating shea butter and seabuckthorn berry oil for maximum moisture.
If you’re looking to target the neck and face overnight, use the Monoi Age Corrective Night Cream for Face and Neck as it reduces the look of fine lines and wrinkles, so you’ll wake up with a more rejuvenated appearance. Customer, Dana C., is a fan, saying in a review on our website: “This cream … is my favorite. First, the texture is so soft and smooth, thick but not too thick, it smells heavenly, goes on and absorbs perfectly and moisturizes so well, my skin is still soft in the morning. I’m almost 60, was a sun worshiper in my youth and have never found a moisturizer that worked well until this one.”
Facial moisturizer should be applied both morning and night. Applying it on damp skin (after a spritz of a mist or toner or just out of the shower) can help the moisture absorb more efficiently.
Are you looking to add some hydration to your skin and not sure which products will work best for your unique complexion? Visit your local Eminence Organics Spa Partner to find out how.
