Best practices for getting softer skin on your knees, elbows, and more
Posted on November 4, 2020 Written by: 100% PURE ®
Many of us struggle with dry skin every now and again. Even if you have oily skin, some parts of our body simply don’t have as many oil or sweat glands. This can lead to dry skin patches that can be rough, flaky, and even itchy. But have no fear – they’re totally normal and treatable.
In this post, we’ll explore the causes of dry skin and the solutions to banish them completely. Let’s help you welcome back to smooth, happy skin you deserve!
Dry skin patches can appear in multiple areas. The knees, elbows, feet, lower back, thighs, bottom, and back of our arms are often the victims of dry skin.
What do they all have in common? We often neglect these areas of our body, or fail to provide them with enough moisture. Some of these regions are simply more prone to dryness, and to buildup of excess dead skin.
Dry skin can appear in these areas due to a number of factors. You might be struggling with one factor or even multiple!
#1: Age
As you get older, your skin naturally loses oil and sweat glands. This is part of why mature skin tends to be a little drier, and in need of more moisture. Oil is an important part of keeping your skin supple and youthful looking. If your skin is missing this component, it can lead to dry patches galore.
#2: Constant Friction
Tight clothes might be constantly rubbing against your skin, leading to intense chafing or milder dry skin patches. They can also prevent air flow, which can soothe and refresh otherwise irritated skin. This friction, combined with moisture, can aggravate skin and leave it rough and dry.
#3: Health Conditions
Certain health conditions can lead to dry skin – and they’re not limited to skin disorders. Eczema and psoriasis are two conditions notorious for causing dry, flaky skin. But surprisingly, diabetes and thyroid problems are known for causing dry knees and elbows, too.
#4: Weather
If your area is experiencing a frigid winter or a dry heat, the daily moisture-sucking weather might be the cause of your dry skin. Heat is commonly known to draw moisture out of skin. That’s why on super hot or cold days, you should be prepared with a moisturizer or body butter.
#5: AC or Heater
Similar to cold or dry weather, using your air conditioning or heater 24/7 can suck the moisture from the air and your skin. This is known as transepidermal water loss, where the environment is actually responsible for drawing necessary moisture from your skin.
#6: Exercise
When you exercise, you sweat – sweat contains salt, which can dehydrate your skin. If you have eczema, this can trigger a flare-up of dry skin. This is especially true if you follow up with hot showers. Even if you don’t have eczema, steamy baths or showers after the fact can leave your body parched.
Next up, we’ll be teaching you how to combat common cases of dry skin!
Now that you know the root cause of these dry skin patches, it’s time to take action to prevent and treat them. Follow these three steps to eliminate dry skin from your body!
Step 1: Exfoliate 2-3 times a week
Exfoliation helps slough away dead skin cells, preventing the buildup that defines dry skin patches. Use an effective body scrub to get rid of dry, dead cells and restore smooth skin. Keep your body exfoliating to 2-3 times a week – exfoliating too much can actually make dry skin worse.
While you might take up exfoliating just to break down any stubborn areas of dry skin, you should still continue this regimen to prevent dry patches from returning. For a gentler approach to exfoliation, opt for a shower loofah for daily maintenance.
Step 2: Follow up with a body butter
Right after showering, you should try to moisturize within the first few minutes. If you live somewhere with low humidity, moisturize immediately out of the shower. Keep your skin a bit damp before applying a rich body butter; this will trap moisture in your skin, leaving it soft and supple.
In the first few weeks of treating your dry skin patches, a body butter is your best option. But after you’ve restored and rejuvenated your skin, you can switch to using a lighter body lotion. If you only have dry skin on a few select parts of your body, feel free to treat those spots with a body butter.
Step 3: Apply more moisture throughout the day
If you’re trying to erase dry patches, your skin will need regular moisture reinforcement throughout the day. It’s usually within the span of your day that you encounter hydration-sapping factors.
Once you pinpoint the activities that cause your dry skin, be sure to use our Intense Nourishing Balm before and after. Not only will it add moisture, it can soothe and calm any itching or inflammation thanks to calming lavender oil.
If you frequently chafe due to clothing friction, apply this balm before dressing. If you get dry skin during exercise, be sure to shower and use this balm after your body butter. If your skin dries out while sitting in a heated or air conditioned environment, periodically apply some balm on any rough patches.
To prevent dry skin patches from reappearing, repeat these steps even after your dryness is gone. Above all, keep up with your moisturizing routine: moisturize after you shower, and before you go to bed. Stay on top of your exfoliating, and focus on the areas that are often prone to dryness – this can be different for everyone!
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Shower ASAP after exercising
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Leave freshly-washed skin slightly damp before moisturizing
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Apply body butter within 2 to 3 minutes of leaving the shower
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Keep dry skin hydrated by using a nourishing balm or salve throughout the day
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Exfoliate your body 2-3 times a week – use caution if doing it more frequently
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Focus your efforts on areas where dry skin patches commonly reappear
We know how stubborn and frustrating dry skin patches can be, but they’re definitely manageable if you put in a little extra time and effort. Take these steps consistently, and your skin will reap the rewards!
- Tags: Bath Body Hair, Skin Care
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The information in this article is for educational use, and not intended to substitute professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment and should not be used as such.
