Is Your Skin Feeling Dry, Tight, And Itchy? Try This

We tend to think of the skin barrier during the lowest moments of the winter, when whipping winds and cold, dry air combine to make our skin feel constantly dry and irritated. But the summer is also loaded with stressors that can trigger a pH imbalance and weaken the top layer of your skin.

A healthy skin barrier is important because it protects the body from physical irritants and ultraviolet radiation from sun exposure. As if that wasn’t enough, it also helps the body retain moisture. Poorly hydrated skin can appear dry and flaky and feel tight and rough. It also loses its elasticity and becomes vulnerable to irritants and UV rays.

Dry, tight, itchy skin is perhaps the most common sign that your skin barrier’s damaged, but it’s not the only one. Hyperpigmentation, dull-looking skin, inflamed skin, slow-to-heal wounds, and frequent breakouts are also indicators. Rosacea and eczema flare-ups can also be triggered by a damaged skin barrier.

If any of this sounds familiar, there are a few things you can do on your own to help your skin barrier heal.

Simplify your skincare routine

This may seem counterintuitive, but an extensive skincare routine can often do more harm than good. For the time being, pare down to the most essential steps: cleanse, moisturize, and apply sunscreen. Use a gentle cleanser to wash your face once or twice a day. Moisturize immediately after showering (in lukewarm water) with a light, fragrance-free lotion. And apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 before heading outside. And then reapply it every couple of hours.

As your skin begins to look and feel better, you can gradually reintroduce products. But do so thoughtfully, asking yourself what need each one fills and paying close attention to its active ingredients and any reactions they might cause. 

As the weather cools, shift to a thicker moisturizer that contains both emollients and humectants, as well as ceramides. Humectants attract and bind to water, increasing the skin’s water content. Hyaluronic acid and glycerin are probably the most well-known humectants in moisturizers. Emollients like cocoa and shea butters are designed to soften the skin.

Don’t ignore inflammation

For many people, the inflammation will subside once they begin steering clear of agitating ingredients and exfoliants that can further strip the skin barrier. But rosacea or eczema flare-ups can lead to more significant inflammation that may only respond to a precisely targeted intervention by a board-certified dermatologist.

Take a holistic approach to treatment

Up to this point, we’ve strictly addressed some of the external causes of a compromised skin barrier and the topical remedies. But a consistent lack of sleep and chronic stress can also play a part, and your treatment should take this into account. Focus on eating a nutrient-rich diet and maintaining a consistent and ample sleep schedule. Consider starting a meditation practice, too. Experts say that just a few minutes a day can be beneficial.

Above all, don’t ignore the signs of a damaged skin barrier. A little TLC will go a long way. While doing nothing could lead to even bigger problems that can’t be healed on your own.