Dry, Flaky Skin: What Causes It And How To Fix It

Let’s just go ahead and face it: we all get dry, flaky skin sometimes. It’s harder to avoid than that chocolate walnut brownie that’s been shooting you sultry looks from within the glass case at your local coffee shop.

Maybe your knees and elbows are getting scaly, or maybe you’ve got dry facial skin. Whatever the case may be, we’ve all had to deal with dry, flaky skin before.

While everyone can relate to this annoying problem, not everyone knows how to fix it. That’s what the beauty experts at SiO are here for!

In this post, we’ll explain what really causes dry, flaky skin. Then we’ll tell you exactly how to turn your dry patches into skin that’s as soft and moist as that brownie you’ve been exchanging glances with.

What Actually Causes Dry, Flaky Skin?

There are plenty of factors that can cause dry, flaky skin. You’re probably familiar with most of them: not taking care of your skin, spending too much time in the sun, and dealing with a cold, dry winter.

Another common contributor to dry, flaky skin is aging. It pains us to say so, but it’s true! As we grow older, our skin cells simply aren’t as healthy as they were when we were younger. Two vital proteins—collagen and elastin—begin to break down over time.

To make matters worse, our bodies can’t produce these proteins as easily when we’re of a certain age. That’s why SiO Beauty patches are the perfect way to reverse the effects of aging! These amazing patches encourage maximum collagen production while you sleep.

But none of this answers the question: what actually causes dry, flaky skin? As in, what exactly happens to skin cells that causes dryness on the surface of your skin? Without getting too science-y, here’s the basic explanation.

First, we need to remind the world that there’s a huge difference between dry skin and dehydrated skin. Often when women talk about having dry skin, what they really mean is dehydrated skin. So what’s the difference?

Human skin has a natural layer of protective oil called sebum. Your body produces this oil to act as a barrier, meaning it helps keep hydration locked into your skin. When your skin doesn’t have enough of this magical protective oil, it’s considered dry.

Dehydrated skin, on the other hand, has to do with water content, not oil. Every cell in the human body needs water. Remember from high school biology class when your teacher told you that your body is 60 percent water molecules? No? To be fair, neither do we.

But it’s true! The human body is mostly water. When your skin cells don’t have enough water, they’re dehydrated. In many ways, dehydration is a result of dry skin. That’s because once your skin is dry—i.e. lacking its natural oil barrier—it’s much easier for it to lose its water content.

In many cases, dry, flaky skin is the result of skin that’s both dry and dehydrated. This sounds terrible, but don’t panic! Just breathe in, count to ten, and slowly exhale. It’s going to be OK. Keep reading to learn four simple tips to fix that dry, flaky skin ASAP.

4 Simple Ways To Fix Dry, Flaky Skin

There are tons of little things you can do in the epic battle against dry, flaky skin. To make things easy, we’ve grouped them into four major categories. Ready? Here we go.

1) Perfect Your Skin Care Routine

You might be rolling your eyes at this point. Of course you’ve perfected your skin care routine! You’ve been doing it for years and—although you’d prefer not to mention exactly how many years—it’s been a while, and you know what you’re doing! Right?

Not so fast, sister. Conventional skin care wisdom is sometimes way off the mark. Here are some easy tips you can follow to take better care of your skin.

Exfoliate

Get rid of dead skin cells (yep, the ones that are flaking off your skin) once or twice per week. Try using all-natural exfoliators that don’t contain microplastics. It’s better for your skin and better for the environment!

Moisturize

OK, so we said that conventional wisdom isn’t always accurate. But in this case, it is. Moisturize like your life depends on it.

Shower Quickly

Long showers can be a super relaxing way to unwind at the end of a long day, but they can actually dry your skin out. Try to keep showers to around seven minutes, or 10 at the very most.

Use Cleansers

Most types of soap tend to be harsh on your skin and can remove your skin’s sebum—that natural oil barrier we mentioned earlier. The solution? Use gentle facial cleansers instead of soap to clean your skin.

Dry Gently

After you’ve cleansed your skin, use a soft towel to gently pat it dry. Never rub or stretch your skin, as this can actually cause damage and create wrinkles.

Also, remember to apply moisturizer as soon as you’ve finished cleansing! Your skin doesn’t need to be bone-dry before slapping on a thick layer of moisturizer.

2) Adjust Your Lifestyle

We’re not pointing any fingers here, but sometimes lifestyle habits can lead to dry, flaky skin. Here’s what you can do to ensure your skin stays healthy and radiant.

Eat Well

Keeping a healthy diet is a super effective way to keep your skin glowing and glamorous. Try to eat plenty of these 27 anti-aging foods, as well as these 6 superfoods that fight wrinkles.

Stay Hydrated

This just makes sense, right? If you drink plenty of water, your skin cells will have plenty of water content. Drink at least 64 fluid ounces of water every day.

Get Your Beauty Rest

Get at least six hours of sleep every night. Use soft sheets, try to sleep on your back, and follow these tips to get the ultimate beauty sleep!

Drink In Moderation

Excessive alcohol consumption can seriously damage your skin. We’re not here to tell you not to enjoy a glass of wine or a nice cocktail every once in a while. Just don’t overdo it!

Don’t Smoke

Smoking rates have been falling for decades, but more than one in 10 American women still smoke cigarettes. If this is you, please stop immediately! Your skin (and lungs) will thank you.

3) Consider Your Environment

We know you can’t change the weather. But you can consider your environment and take action to fight off dry, flaky skin! Below are a few tips to do just that.

Use A Humidifier

Run a humidifier in your bedroom while you sleep. This will add moisture to the air, which will help your skin stay hydrated.

Wear Sunscreen

Yes, even when it’s cloudy. Yes, even when it’s cold. Yes, even if you want to get a tan. Wear sunscreen every single day! Always apply a layer before leaving your house in the morning.

Cover Up

Try to keep as much of your skin covered as possible. This helps protect your skin from the sun during the summer and guards it against damaging winds during the cold, harsh winter.

4) Wear SiO Beauty patches

Last, but certainly not least, wear SiO Beauty patches while you sleep to hydrate and plump your skin! SiO Beauty patches are made from the highest quality medical-grade silicone, which provides your skin with an enormous boost of moisture and promotes collagen growth.

The result? You wake up to skin that’s smooth, dewy, and youthful.

If all of this sounds too good to be true, think again! SiO Beauty patches were developed with and tested by professional dermatologists. Clinical trials in a sample of 200 women proved that SiO Beauty patches are effective at increasing hydration and reducing wrinkle depth.

SiO Beauty patches are available for your brow and neck, as well as the sides of your eyes and mouth. All of our patches are reusable for 15 nights. Simply apply the patches after you’ve finished your nightly skincare routine and wake up to smooth, gorgeous skin!

And that, ladies, brings us to the end of this post. Follow all the easy tips we’ve laid out here and you’ll transform your dry, flaky skin into skin that’s as smooth and moist as a five-star chocolate mousse. Sounds irresistible, right?