Flaky skin: A Science Backed Approach

Flaky skin often makes an appearance during the winter months. Indoor heating systems oftendry out the air. Consequently, your skin can suffer from moisture loss, resulting in flaking.However, winter isn't the only reason people might suffer from dry, uncomfortable skin. In fact,some people report having dry, flaky skin on face areas all year-round. Regardless of whetheryour skin issue is seasonal or permanent, there are some effective ways of soothing it andbanishing the flakes.

PROVEN Skincare is here to help. Dry and flaky skin often doesn’t happen alone. Thanks to innovative new data programs, we’ve made it easy to find the right products to fit all of your skincare needs, even if you’re managing the effects of oily and dry skin at the same time.

Getting started is easy, with our Skin Genome Quiz, and you can enjoy relief from dry, flaky skin today.

Scaling, peeling, and flaking aren't the only signs of a problem with your skin's moisture. If youhave flaky skin, you might also experience a feeling of tightness, particularly after you shower,go swimming and before you reapply moisturizer. Your skin might be persistently itchy, and itmay feel and look rough. Some people report grayish, ashy-looking skin that is more prone todeveloping fine lines. In addition, the irritation can cause redness on the face.

These symptoms can often occur simultaneously or in tandem with other side effects, and it’s important to listen to what your body is saying. They can be indicators that you have an existing skin condition that can be addressed, or that you should remove specific environmental irritants or allergens from your space.

If you’re not sure why your skin is becoming dry or flaky, consider speaking with your healthcare provider to get to the root cause.

During the winter, the plummeting humidity level is one of the most common causes of skin that becomes dry and flaky, especially since indoor heating can be very dry, as well. However, it's certainly not the only one.

Here are some of the common reasons you may be experiencing dry or flaky skin.

The Water is Too Hot

If you notice your skin becomes dry or flaky after you wash your face in the morning or step out of the shower, then the water may be too hot. Even if it doesn’t hurt to touch, it’s a good idea to use a moderate temperature to keep your skin from drying out.

You Are Exposed to Chlorine and Other Chemicals

People who swim regularly may find that they have dry and flaky skin, since chlorine can be very abrasive. If you manage or are exposed to similar chemicals, they may be the reason behind why you are experiencing facial dryness.

You Have an Existing Skin Condition

Some people are more susceptible to flaking because of other skin conditions they may have, such as eczema and psoriasis. These conditions are not contagious and, while they can be triggered by allergens and irritants, they are the product of genetics, immune responses, and hormones. Both eczema and psoriasis cause itching, dryness, and flaking, so if you notice any of those symptoms without an explanation, you may have a preexisting skin condition.

Your Skincare Products Aren’t a Good Match

Not all skincare products are for all people, and you especially want to stay away from harsh soaps and facial cleansers, as these can strip the natural moisture away from your skin, leaving it rough to the touch and prone to flaking. It’s important to understand your personalized skincare needs, so you can find the right products to address your core skincare challenges. PROVEN Skincare is here to help you determine exactly what those products might be.

Risk Factors

Dry and flaking skin can affect people at any age or stage of life. However, some people are at a higher risk of it, including the following:

• People Who Are in Their 40s or Older: As we get older our skin stops producing as much sebum, the oily secretion that can moisturize and protect our skin from dryness. The skin cells also begin to renew at a slower rate, which means less moisture, as well.

• Those Who Live in Cold Climates: Cold can be surprisingly drying, especially since there is no relief from the drying environment when you go instead into the heat. If you live in a cold climate, it’s especially important to use the right moisturizers and stay well-hydrated to prevent your skin from drying out.

• People Who Work in Climate-Controlled-Settings With Low Humidity Levels: Humidity may make us sweat, but it’s very important for keeping our skin well-moisturized, so it doesn’t dry out. If you work in a restoration room or lab, you may be experiencing flaky, dry skin as the result of extended time away from humidity.

• People With Other Skin Conditions: Many pre-existing skin conditions, like eczema and psoriasis, can actually be the root cause of dry or flaky skin. If you’re noticing more side effects or symptoms for the very first time, it may be the result of an environmental or hormonal trigger. There are many excellent management techniques for skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis, and PROVEN Skincare can help you develop the right skincare routine for your lifestyle and medical needs today.

People Who Are in Their 40s or Older: As we get older our skin stops producing as much sebum, the oily secretion that can moisturize and protect our skin from dryness. The skin cells also begin to renew at a slower rate, which means less moisture, as well.

Those Who Live in Cold Climates: Cold can be surprisingly drying, especially since there is no relief from the drying environment when you go instead into the heat. If you live in a cold climate, it’s especially important to use the right moisturizers and stay well-hydrated to prevent your skin from drying out.

People Who Work in Climate-Controlled-Settings With Low Humidity Levels: Humidity may make us sweat, but it’s very important for keeping our skin well-moisturized, so it doesn’t dry out. If you work in a restoration room or lab, you may be experiencing flaky, dry skin as the result of extended time away from humidity.

People With Other Skin Conditions: Many pre-existing skin conditions, like eczema and psoriasis, can actually be the root cause of dry or flaky skin. If you’re noticing more side effects or symptoms for the very first time, it may be the result of an environmental or hormonal trigger. There are many excellent management techniques for skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis, and PROVEN Skincare can help you develop the right skincare routine for your lifestyle and medical needs today.

Try to shower or bathe with warm water, rather than hot, and limit your time. Use hypoallergenic laundry detergent to launder your reusable masks or other face coverings. Because you likely spend a great deal of time at home, you should pay attention to your home's humidity levels. Find out whether your home's heating system has a built-in humidifier. If so, make sure it's working properly. Otherwise, you may wish to invest in a standalone humidifier for your bedroom. If you have particularly dry skin, placing humidifiers in other areas of your home can be helpful. Be sure to clean them regularly to reduce the circulation of microorganisms.

Healing skin that is already dry, flaking, and irritated often requires a change in your routine. Start by eliminating harsh soaps and cleansers from your bathroom counter. Instead, look for a gentle, fragrance-free cleanser. Avoid using a washcloth on your face, as the rough texture may irritate your skin further. Instead, gently massage the cleanser into your skin before thoroughly rinsing it off. Pat your face dry gently with a soft cloth. Moisturize the skin immediately. It's best to use a rich cream or ointment for dehydrated skin, rather than a thin lotion. An effective moisturizer will have three main types of ingredients.

The first is humectants, which work by migrating moisture from the dermis to the epidermis. These ingredients include the following:

• Hyaluronic acid
• Lecithin
• Ceramides
• Glycerin
• Sorbitol

The second set of ingredients works by locking in moisture within the skin. These include the following:

• Petroleum jelly
• Silicone
• Lanolin
• Mineral oil

The last set of ingredients is emollients. As the skin becomes dried out, it cracks and flakes. This leaves open spaces between the skin cells. Emollients work by filling in those gaps. They soothe and soften skin that has become rough and dry, leaving it feeling and looking healthier. Emollients include:

• Linoleic acids
• Lauric acids

There are many reasons you may be suffering from the symptoms and side effects of dry or flaky skin, including environmental factors, hormones, and preexisting conditions like eczema or psoriasis.

But you also have many options for relief and support from dryness and flaking, and it’s all right here at PROVEN Skincare.

When you’re ready to begin developing a personalized skincare routine that directly targets problem areas, like dryness and flaking, we’re here to help.

At PROVEN, we understand that everyone has a unique combination of skin concerns, depending on their lifestyle, environment, and aesthetic goals. That's why our Stanford-trained scientists have developed a powerful AI algorithm that formulates custom products for each person based on their unique skin factors. Take the skin quiz today to discover your personalized formula for healing your dry, irritated skin.