8 Hidden Culprits Causing Your Dry Winter Skin

Admin • Jan 27, 2021

Dry winter skin is a common condition we become reacquainted with every time winter rolls around. However, dry skin does not have to be an expected part of the season any longer. Cold air and harsh weather are usually the first suspects for dry skin, but many culprits are often overlooked. This guide details the forgotten causes of dry skin and how you can solve them for radiant skin all year long.

1) Cold Dry Air

Of course, none of us can control the weather any time of the year, but there are things you can do when you live in a region with a colder climate. As the temperature drops, skin can become dry, flaky, and even red and irritated. It’s important to protect your skin with clothing in low temperatures and harsh weather. You should also use products that can protect and restore your natural skin barrier.

Solution: Humidifiers are a practical solution to add to your home to help counterbalance dry air exposure. Humidifiers work to increase the water content in the air, thus increasing the humidity. This can help your skin retain moisture while you sleep at night in particular. It can also help solve a dry throat or stuffy nose.

2) Hot Showers

As amazing as those scorching hot showers feel after a long day, they are actually doing more harm than good. Hot water can be harsh on your skin and hair—drying out both. The heat not only irritates your skin but can also remove essential oils in your hair and skin. Without these, your skin can dry out and lose its natural protection.

Solution: Stick to using warm water during showers to keep your skin and hair healthy. If you notice any redness or irritation after being in the shower, this likely means that your shower is too hot.

3) Laundry Detergent

Often, we are very picky about what products we put on our face and skin. We love products that are organic and have naturally derived ingredients. However, one of the last things people pay attention to is often the chemicals in their laundry detergent. Laundry detergents can even be the cause of rashes and skin irritation, such as contact dermatitis.

Solution: It is important to be mindful of the type of detergents and fabric softeners you are picking up at the store. For some people, they may find that their skin can handle most brands and ingredients. Others who suffer from dry skin, eczema, or other skin conditions should opt for products designed for sensitive skin. Often these products will have a simpler formula, with less irritating ingredients and fragrances.

4) Too Many Skincare Products

Sometimes less is more, especially when it comes to skincare. Every day, the beauty industry bombards us with a line of new products to try and beauty standards that must be solved with their latest product. As much as we want to do everything in our power to look and feel beautiful, using too many products can be detrimental to the skin. All the active ingredients can combine to cause painful irritation, redness, bumps, dry skin, and even acne.

Solution: Take time when building your skincare routine, and start simple. The worst thing you can do for your skin is to add multiple products at one time. When this happens, you can never be sure which items are causing your dry skin or irritation. Always begin with simple ingredients, recommended by dermatologists, when starting a skincare routine. Work in new products and actives gradually. Always be sure to patch test any new products before incorporating them into your routine.

5) Not Exfoliating Enough

Without exfoliation, layers of dead skin cells and oil accumulate. This creates not only the look and feel of rough skin but even causes clogged pores, which can lead to acne and other skin conditions.

Solution: Just as you may need to remove a product sometimes, in other instances adding products to your routine can be a great solution to dry or irritated skin. Exfoliating (physical or chemical) can help remove dead layers of skin, so skin appears smoother with an improved texture and tone.

Chemical and physical exfoliation can help remove this dead layer of skin for new cells to take their place. Chemical exfoliation refers to using products (chemicals) to activate this process. Typically, this includes using products with low doses of acids. In general, these low doses should not irritate the skin, but be sure to patch test and slowly introduce products to be sure.

6) Using the Wrong Type of Moisturizer

Moisturizing is the most obvious solution when one is dealing with dry skin. Moisturizing helps restore your skin’s natural barrier and prevents aging and future damage. However, there are actually many types of moisturizers that work in different ways. Not all moisturizers are beneficial for everyone, and some work better based on your skin type. The three main types are emollients, humectants, and occlusives.

Solution: A great moisturizer to use for dry winter skin is an occlusive. Occlusives work by actually helping your body retain the moisture it already has, acting as a physical barrier. These types are usually heavier oils, waxes, and balms. Some everyday examples include mineral oil and petroleum. These products are generally thick in consistency and stick to the skin. If the consistency doesn’t work for you during the daytime, it is a great idea to use these during the night to avoid losing skin moisture during sleep. Using these in combination with a humectant or emollient can be a great way to combat dry winter skin.

7) Internal Medical Conditions

When it comes to medical conditions and dry skin , people usually think of external presenting conditions like psoriasis, eczema, and dermatitis. However, other long-term health issues can also have dry skin as a symptom. Diabetes, hypothyroidism, and other conditions all can cause dry or irritated skin.

Solution: It is important to contact your doctor if you suspect a larger health concern could be causing your dry skin. Your doctor will be able to help you reach a diagnosis, prescribe any necessary medication, and come up with the best recommendation for your needs.

8) Not Drinking Enough Water

Water is not only necessary for our skin and body to function, but it makes up 50-70% of our body weight. Physicians recommend that an adult should drink between 2.7 and 3.7 liters a day, depending on weight, height, gender, and other factors. It is no surprise that many adults fail to drink enough water throughout the day. This not only can cause overall dehydration but can cause the skin to lose moisture, presenting fine lines and wrinkles.

Solution: Carrying around a measured water bottle can help remind you to drink enough water throughout the day. If you still struggle to remember to drink the recommended amount, there are hydration apps for smartphones that can send you digital reminders when to drink water and keep track of your daily intake.

If you have an interest in skincare and esthetics, PJ’s College of Cosmetology can help you establish a career. Enrollment advisors are standing by to answer any questions about cosmetology and esthetician courses. Call PJ’s at 800-62-SALON (72566) or request more information online.

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Making a Job Switch

27 Sep, 2021

Whether you’ve been fired or are simply looking to take your career to the next level, switching jobs in the beauty and wellness industry takes strategy and planning. You can have a job or you can build a career; the choice is yours. If you find yourself job hopping frequently, either by choice or by circumstance, it’s going to be more difficult to establish yourself. A job switch is something to be taken seriously as the consequences of your move, both good and bad, can reverberate for months and even years. Before you make a job switch, think through these 5 things. YOU WILL LOSE BUSINESS We know it feels like everyone will follow you if you do leave, but not everyone does. Some won’t like the drive, the new salon, spa, or shop décor, or even your new team members. Some clients may even be looking for an excuse to try someone new. MULTIPLE MOVES RAISE A RED FLAG TO FUTURE EMPLOYERS Salon, spa, and shop owners look at your track record and if they see you’ve moved multiple times over the past 1-3 years, they are going to be less enthusiastic about hiring an “at risk” team member. YOU MAY BE THE PROBLEM If you have moved several times and are still not happy, then it’s time to do a checkup from the neck up. The only common denominator in your career choices is you. It’s time to stop and think about what it is you really want, write it down, and go find it. WHEN IT ISN’T WORKING, TALK IT OUT Let’s face it: there are going to be times when you just are not “feeling it,” and the love and newness has worn off. When you get to that point, reflect on what you are feeling and ask yourself, “Is it true and is it real?” If it is, then the only way to work through it is to go to the source and talk it out. If you don’t, it will fester and get worse. RECOGNIZE AND CELEBRATE WHAT IS WORKING Look around and appreciate the perks, joys, esthetics, flexibility, team, training, or whatever else is really great about where you work. Sometimes just shifting your thoughts can create a new perspective. Moving on After Being Fired What if your job switch is based not on choice but on circumstance and you have been fired? Being fired is extremely stressful, no matter the reason. You can find yourself struggling with all types of emotions ranging from embarrassment, anger, fear, and even depression. If you’re in this sticky situation, follow these steps to turn this potential negative into a positive. LOOK TO YOUR FUTURE It can be difficult getting past the “being fired” part, but you must move on! You have two choices: you can live in a negative space and dwell on the past or you can decide to look to your future and learn from this experience. TAKE OWNERSHIP This can be as painful as being fired itself. Spend some time taking a personal inventory of the reasons why you were dismissed. Don’t play the “blame game” and point fingers at others. Take full responsibility and turn this negative experience into a positive learning opportunity for your future. Reach out to mentors or enroll in outside education to help you grow in any areas that are keeping you from the success you are destined to achieve. MOVE FORWARD It’s time to freshen up your resume and cover letters. Be certain to point out your successes and your strengths. There is no reason to mention your dismissal at this time. INTERVIEWING During your interview for a potential new position, be prepared to answer those questions you fear the most like, “Why did you leave your last job?” Honesty is the best policy, but there’s no need to get into a long drawn out conversation about it; keep it brief. Share what you have learned and how you have made a personal commitment to learn and grow from this experience. If you have enrolled in outside education and/or have mentorship in this area be sure to share this information during your interview. For other interview tips, check out this guide. Being fired from a job can shake a person to their core. It ranks in the top of life’s most stressful situations, but if you take the initiative by enrolling in classes and reaching out to mentors to move past any barriers, you can turn things around. Job switches can happen at any time for a multitude of reasons. It’s up to you to be proactive and always go towards what you want. When you need to make big changes, make sure to do your research and make sure the changes are in the direction of your dreams. If you are interested in starting your career in cosmetology, PJ’s College of Cosmetology can help. Call us at 800-62-SALON (72566) or request information at gotopjs.com.

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