Janet J
Dry skin can cause your face’s skin to peel off, as can various other health conditions, like psoriasis and eczema. Hot showers, fluctuating humidity, and cold air are some of the factors that can cause dry and scaly skin, especially during the winter.
For those who use makeup, covering dry skin can worsen the issue and make the skin peeling harsher. But waiting patiently while your skin is peeling off can be quite difficult. Keep reading to find out home remedies to treat dry skin on the face.
What is scaly skin?
It is the loss of the outer layer of the skin in huge, scale-like flakes. The skin appears to be dry and cracked, though skin dryness is not something that can be always blamed. Here are some of the potential causes behind peeling skin.
- Sunburns- Irritated, red, and inflamed skin damaged by the sun rays will peel off slowly to reveal new skin below.
- Medicines- Skin peeling can also be a side effect of certain medicines. Blood pressure medicines, topical medicines, seizure medicines, and penicillin can make the skin dry and peel off.
- Seborrheic dermatitis. While this condition affects the scalp mostly, it can even develop itching, scaling, peeling, and redness on your face.
- Eczema is defined as an autoimmune condition in which brown or red-colored scaly patches are formed on the face.
- Psoriasis is a skin condition characterized by scaly and white patches on the skin that becomes red and starts peeling off after a few days. Psoriasis patches can be painful and sore.
- Hypothyroidism is caused when our body does not produce enough thyroid hormones. It can even cause weight gain, fatigue, skin peeling, and thinning hair.
- Rosacea is a chronic skin disease that can cause red or swollen skin, and the skin on the face may start getting dry and scaly.
- Fungal and Staph infection- These are dangerous infections usually accompanied by fatigue, inflamed skin, and headaches.
- Allergic reaction to skincare products or cosmetics. Something you have applied to the face, like a new moisturizer or foundation, can block the skin pores and cause hives or swelling. Your skin may get dry and start shedding once it is irritated, which results in skin peeling.
- Vitamin A and Niacin deficiency are a few nutritional conditions that can cause scaly skin.
- Peeling skin syndrome is a health condition in which the patch of your skin turns red and inflamed before it gets dry and sheds the scaly skin.
Scaly skin is a symptom of:
Dry skin can worsen during the winter, mainly among those who spend a lot of time outdoors. However, sometimes dry skin can also be a side effect or symptom of something else.
Growing old- After 40, your skin becomes dry as it produces less oil.
Certain medicines- Dry and scaly skin can also be a side effect of some prescribed medicines, like diuretics and statins.
Skin conditions- Dermatitis, Eczema, Psoriasis can make your skin dry.
Diabetes- High blood sugar can also cause dry and flaky skin.
Dehydration- Not drinking sufficient water can cause dry and itchy skin.
Thyroid- Flaky skin is a common symptom of hypothyroidism.
Menopause- With menopause comes several hormonal changes. During this stage, the skin becomes and stays dry for a long time.
Kidney disease, mainly if you are on dialysis- Dialysis takes away water from your body, which in turn makes the skin dry.
Deficiency of vitamin or mineral- Lack of Niacin, Vitamin A, D, and iron can cause dry skin.
Home Remedies to Treat Scaly Skin
Apply moisturizers daily- Ointments, moisturizers, and creams enhance the skin’s natural protection, which supports water retention. Moisturizing your skin overnight can offer additional benefits. You can apply moisturizer on your face before going to sleep at night and wash it with a gentle cleanser after you wake up in the morning. There are different types of skin moisturizers in the market. You can go for a trial and choose one that suits your skin type. A gentle face moisturizer must contain the following ingredients:
- Hyaluronic acid
- Colloidal oatmeal
- Ceramides
Some skin moisturizers and various other skincare products contain drying agents that can worsen your dry skin. Generally, people with dry skin should avoid products that contain:
- Artificial colors or fragrances
- Alcohol
- Petroleum or petrolatum
- Dioxane
If you are among those who prefer a natural skin moisturizer then, choose one that includes ingredients like:
- Coconut oil
- Aloe vera gel
- Shea butter
Shea butter and coconut oil contain natural oils. If you have normal, combination, or oily skin, then you may experience skin breakouts after using skincare products containing these ingredients.
Use a mild face cleanser- Soaps that contain colors, chemicals, and artificial fragrances can cause skin irritation and even make the skin dry. Usually, it is better to use mild, facial cleansers that are free of artificial fragrances. As far as possible, try to avoid products that contain artificial colors, plastics, and alcohol.
The ingredients to be avoided include:
- Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
- Products that contain mineral oil, including paraffin and petroleum
- Diethanolamine
- Parabens
- Monoethanolamine
- Triethanolamine
You will find a huge variety of facial cleansers in the market.
Practice clean bathing habits- It is always better to use warm, mind it, not hot water while bathing or washing your face as hot water can take away all the essential oils from your skin. Washing your face often can remove sebum from your skin. According to dermatologists, you should limit your shower time to a maximum of 5 to 10 minutes or even less to treat scaly skin.
After washing your face or bathing, make sure you apply your favorite skin moisturizer. This will lock the moisture and give you soft and supple skin.
Make use of a humidifier- Constantly sitting in an AC room or rooms with central heating units can make your skin dry and the air takes away the moisture. An individual with dry facial skin may want to restrict the use of AC and heating or start to use a humidifier to add some extra moisture to the indoor air.
Medicines- Dermatologists may prescribe a cream or topical ointment who suffer from skin conditions or those who have a dehydrated skin that does not respond to different conventional treatments. The kind of medicine will differ based on the cause behind dry skin. Medicines commonly include hydrocortisone, a steroid that helps in keeping the skin hydrated.
How to prevent scaly skin
You can follow these tips to prevent dry and scaly skin on the face:
- Washing the face regularly with a cleanser
- Using sunscreen every day
- Applying skin moisturizer after washing your face or bathing daily
- Using warm water to wash your face.
- Keep yourself hydrated by drinking enough water.
- Limit your intake of caffeine.
- Use a humidifier.
- Limit the time under direct sun rays.
- Quit smoking.
- Avoid artificial tanning.
Conclusion
Lifestyle and environmental factors can cause dry skin. One can manage and avoid dry skin by using the above-mentioned remedies and treatments. If dry skin does not improve, consult your dermatologist. Use these remedies and let us know your feedback.