Is there anything worse than dry skin? Unfortunately, yes—cracked skin! Dry skin can be annoying, but cracked skin is like nails on a chalkboard. If dry skin is Los Angeles on a warm summer day, cracked skin is Death Valley at 2:00 p.m. on the hottest day of the year. There’s just no comparison.
So is there any good news? Of course there is! We’re going to tell you exactly how to turn those Death Valley patches into skin that’s as lush and moist as a tropical rainforest. We’ll start by going over what causes cracked skin. Then, we’ll explain how to heal it (hint: you’ll want to grab some SiO Beauty patches right away to take your healing efforts to the next level!). Finally, we’ll tell you some things you definitely want to avoid if you’ve got cracked skin.
What Causes Cracked Skin?
We all know what cracked skin is—it’s skin that has become so dry it begins to split open. You know that rough, hard, ultra-dry skin that looks like it belongs on a tortoise? Yep, that’s cracked skin.
But what causes it? Since cracked skin is essentially super dry skin, the two conditions have the same basic causes. Let’s look at the most common culprits.
Weather
It’s no secret that the weather has a big impact on your skin. Hot climates tend to dry out your skin while harsh winters are likely to chap your skin.
Unless you’re currently living in Honolulu—and if you are, can we visit?—the weather is practically guaranteed to contribute to cracked skin at some point during the year.
Genes
Genes determine what skin type you have, so they also play a large role in how easily your skin can become cracked. Some women have skin that naturally tends to be a bit dry. That’s definitely not a bad thing, but it does mean that cracked skin is more likely to develop.
Diet
While eating a cheeseburger or a few slices of pizza won’t instantly cause cracked skin to form, a consistently poor diet can deprive your skin of the nutrients it needs to stay healthy. How? Because a lack of vitamins and minerals in your diet can make your skin more susceptible to cracking. That’s why superfoods and detox diets work wonders for your skin!
Aging
We don’t like it any more than you do, but it’s the truth: our skin becomes drier and droopier as we grow older. Although there are some ways to reverse the effects of aging skin, age is still the number one cause of many skin problems. This is true for everything from crow’s feet and frown lines to turkey neck and jowls.
Sadly, it’s also true for cracked skin. If you’re starting to notice the signs of aging, use SiO Beauty patches on your face and neck now to help your skin keep its gorgeous, youthful glow.
How To Heal Cracked Skin
Now that we’ve gone over the causes of cracked skin, let’s get to the important stuff—how to get rid of it! Follow these simple steps and say hello to healthy, radiant skin!
Exfoliate
The first thing you need to do in the fight against cracked skin is clear away all the dead skin cells that have built up on your skin. Use an exfoliating scrub, and remember to lather gently. There’s no need to rub your skin vigorously, as that can further damage your already sensitive skin. Simply wiping your fingers across the areas you’re exfoliating is enough to get rid of all that unsightly dead skin.
Moisturize
OK, so this step will not come as a surprise, but it’s incredibly important! Apply a moisturizer to your cracked skin at least three times a day, if not more. We recommend moisturizing in the morning when you wake up, immediately after showering, before you go to bed at night, and any other time of day when your skin feels dry.
Use Natural Face Masks
In addition to exfoliating and moisturizing, using natural face masks is a fabulous way to treat cracked, dry facial skin. Here are a few of the natural ingredients you can use to make some incredible DIY face masks:
Don’t be afraid to give these homemade masks a try. They’re amazing for your skin!
Wear SiO Beauty Patches
If you’d like to heal cracked skin—or just revitalize and rejuvenate your skin in general—we have the ultimate skincare products for you! SiO Beauty patches are reusable silicone patches that drastically increase hydration and reduce wrinkles overnight. They’re safe, affordable, and easy to use. And they provide real results.
Simply apply them after you’ve cleansed your face in the evening, and wear them while you sleep. You’ll wake up to visibly smoother, plumper skin that glows like the sun!
These patches have even been proven to work in clinical trials performed under the supervision of a dermatologist. SiO Beauty offers patches perfect for your brow, neck, and décolleté, as well as the corners of your eyes and mouth.
How NOT To Heal Cracked Skin
We’ve just gone over what you can do to heal cracked skin. Now, it’s time to talk about what not to do. Here’s a list of things to avoid at all costs.
Spending Too Much Time In The Sun
There’s nothing better than soaking up some sunshine on a beautiful day, right? Well, sure, except for the fact that the sun’s UV rays can seriously damage your skin.
If you have cracked skin, you definitely don’t want to spend lots of time in direct sunlight. Give your skin a chance to heal before you consider catching some rays.
Taking Super Hot Showers
While hot showers are a great way to unwind at the end of a long day, they can actually dry out your skin. Super hot water removes the natural oils from the surface of your skin that help retain moisture, which can lead to cracking. To keep your skin smooth, always use lukewarm water for showering and washing your face.
Using Harsh Soaps
Most soaps are too strong for sensitive or dry skin, and they tend to remove moisture. Instead of soaps, use gentle cleansers to wash your skin. This is especially true for your hands, face, and any areas of your body that are prone to cracked skin.
Rubbing Your Skin
Rubbing your skin can damage your skin cells. This may cause wrinkles or lead to things like cracked skin. The times to keep this in mind are when washing and drying your skin.
When washing, lather gently. There’s no need to scrub your skin. It’s also important to pat your skin dry with a soft towel, rather than rubbing it dry.
Drinking Too Much Alcohol
We all know that drinking too much isn’t great for our health, but did you know that it’s also bad for your skin? Too much alcohol dehydrates your body and depletes skin cells of crucial vitamins they need to stay healthy. By all means, enjoy a glass of wine or a cocktail every so often—just don’t overdo it.
Eating Junk Food
We’ve already mentioned keeping a healthy diet, but it’s worth repeating. Eating too much junk food on a regular basis is an easy way to develop things like wrinkles, sagging skin, and cracked skin.
Eating well will give your skin cells the vitamins and minerals they need to repair themselves. Try to make these 27 anti-aging foods a part of your daily diet.
Sleeping On Your Stomach
Sleeping on your stomach can cause wrinkles and further irritate cracked skin. Instead of falling asleep face-down, try sleeping on your back or side. Also, it helps to use soft, satin sheets because they’re smoother and won’t create as much friction on your delicate skin. Finally, try to get eight hours of beauty rest every night.
Having cracked skin is not fun. Luckily, it’s also not hard to heal! Just follow the simple steps we’ve laid out in this article, and your skin will be radiant and glowing in no time. And if you want your skin to be brimming with moisture like a tropical rainforest after a midday shower, start wearing SiO Beauty patches now!
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