After a wonderful summer nature is preparing for winter. The leaves change colors. The wind is starting to blow and the temperatures are going down. Yes, fall has started. As a result, our skin has to adjust, just like the skin of your kids. It has to get used to the differences in temperature, to strong winds and rain. All these changes at the beginning of the season can cause a dry skin.
What is a dry skin, really?
Dry skin is the result of an imbalance of moisture in the skin in relation to its surroundings. This may be caused by a reduction of lipids in the skin barrier. When they’re decreased, skin starts to dry out. The skin feels rough, flaky and dry. Therefore we need to focus on containing lipids in the skin barrier.
How do lipids decrease?
The main causes of a skin barrier that’s not properly functioning are water, soap and cleansing products. Every shampoo and shower gel contain solvents and the more powerful it is, the more likely it is that your skin gets stripped of its natural protective layer. So you do not want to use products with aggressive cleansing ingredients. Our hair & body shampoo [link] also a solvent, but a very mild one, and of natural origin of course!
Another cause of dry skin is heating. Most of us start using the heater again, after all, it is no 37 degrees anymore! Central heating often creates a dry atmosphere in the room, which causes an imbalance in the skin barrier. The result is that moisture evaporates into the atmosphere.
What can you do about dry skin?
First of all: try to not touch the dry skin. It doesn’t like to be rubbed or picked or plucked. A tough one to communicate to your little one, though. When something itches, she scratches. So make sure you moisturize the skin really well with a nourishing, full cream like our Nourishing Cream. Mom and dad, it’s not a crime if you use it yourselves. We know we do! A nice bath with a lovely bath oil also gives some relieve. Do you spot some damaged skin on your child? Then please see a doctor for advice.
Another tip is to bathe a little less often. If a bathroom session is very much needed because food stains are everywhere, make sure the water temperature is not higher than 37 degrees Celcius. Dry off carefully: don’t rub, just pat.
We hope this first aid advice will help you take care of dry skin these weeks. Do you have any tips other mums and dads really need to know about? Let us know by info@petitetjolie.nl
