Is your dry, skin tight, flaky, and uncomfortable?
Do you use what you think are the 'right' products, but still can't seem to get your dry skin under control?
I've been where you are! And, while dry skin can be a complex skin condition with many factors contributing the the state of our skin— there is one major tip I have for everyone who suffers with this common skin complaint.
That tip is.... stop showering in hot water.
And stop washing your face in hot water too!
I know, I know— hot water FEELS good. Sometimes all you want to do is stand under your firehose of a showerhead and feel the hot fire flames of hades runneth over your body.
Unfortunately though, this habit isn't doing your skin any favors. Prolonged contact with hot water is a HUGE trigger for skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, and xerosis (dry skin).¹
Water exposure in general, has a negative effect on the skin. Add heat to the mix, and it's a double whammy. (side note: this is a huge reason why I don't use heat, including hot steamers, during any portion of my facials at Sarah Moon Facial Studio.)
The main reason why your skin feels worse after exposure to hot water is TEWL, or transepidermal water loss. Hot water increases the amount of water that is released from the outermost layer of the skin, aka the epidermis. What does this mean for you? Skin like sandpaper.
My advice for all of you itchy humans out there— shower/bathe/wash your face using tepid water only.
If this is unrealistic, then try and work your way as *close* to tepid or cool as possible.
I find showering in warm-ish water and cleansing my face in the sink with cool or room-temperature is doable. If your face is extra sensi, skip washing your face in the shower and only wash at the sink with cool water. I promise, it's refreshing!
Need more skin help? Book a consult or Moon Facial with me!
Herrero-Fernandez, Manuel, Trinidad Montero-Vilchez, Pablo Diaz-Calvillo, Maria Romera-Vilchez, Agustin Buendia-Eisman, and Salvador Arias-Santiago. “Impact of Water Exposure and Temperature Changes on Skin Barrier Function.” Journal of clinical medicine. U.S. National Library of Medicine, January 7, 2022. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8778033/.
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