Is Your Home Environment Making Your Dry Skin Worse?

Your skin is one of the most sensitive parts of your body, so every aspect of your daily environment can affect it. While many people adopt healthy daily skin care routines and are careful about the products they use, they overlook factors within their own home that contribute to skin issues.

Your home environment can make dry skin and conditions like psoriasis and eczema worse. Sensitive skin reacts negatively to dry air, cleaning products, and even dust buildup in your home.

Is your home environment making your dry skin worse? Many aspects of your day-to-day life can leave skin dry, itchy, or flaky. Below, we’ll talk about how your home environment may be making your dry skin worse.

Do You Use Harsh Cleaning Products?

You may be vigilant about opting for all-natural lotions and shampoos, but chemicals anywhere in your home can be skin irritants.

Harsh soaps, laundry detergent, and cleaning sprays can all contain skin allergens or irritants. And keeping your skin safe from these products is about more than just wearing gloves while doing dishes.

Trace amounts of these allergens and irritants can remain on surfaces and furniture in your home, which can negatively impact your skin. To protect your skin, avoid scented products, products packed with chemical preservatives, and alcohol-based cleaners. Instead, go for all-natural cleaners and hypoallergenic products.

Are You Cranking Up The Heat Or AC?

Recirculated air means dry air, so overreliance on an AC or heating system can worsen dry skin problems.

During very hot or very cold months – when many skin conditions are already exacerbated – this can have many adverse effects on your skin health.

If you feel the need to use air conditioning or a heating system, try to stick to a moderate, but comfortable temperature in the low 70s or high 60s instead of setting the heat too high or too low. You can also invest in a humidifier to off-set the effects of recirculated air.

Is Your Home Drafty?

In the winter especially, an insulated home can protect against dry, itchy skin. When the air outside is dry, it’s particularly hard on your skin. Plus, a drafty home can cause you to be over reliant on heating systems, which – again – make dry skin worse.

During the cold months especially, take steps to insulate your home. Use caulk, spray foam, or weather stripping to close off air leaks in windows and doors. Not only is this better for your skin, it will save you money on your monthly heating bill.

Is Your Environment Dusty?

Dust mites are a known skin irritant and can build up surprisingly quickly in your home. While regularly dusting of surfaces is obviously important, dust can also accumulate in furniture, curtains, and your carpet.

If you have skin issues, a quality vacuum is not optional. Even with hardwood flooring, you’ll need to regularly vacuum couches, chairs, and even bedding. Plus, don’t forget to thoroughly vacuum often underlooked places. Dust builds up quickly under beds, couches, and cabinets.

Are your bedsheets hard on your skin?

Not only do higher quality bed sheets tend to be easier on skin, your laundry habits can also impact your skin health.

Skin flakes, dust mites, and even trace amounts of allergens get onto your sheets when you sleep. Washing them at least once a week can help.

We also recommend waterproof sheets if you have sensitive skin. Bacterias and oils wash out of waterproof sheets much easier than they do regular sheets, so they’re definitely worth the investment if you’re prone to dry skin.

Conclusion

Dry skin can be a major source of discomfort and even pain. Those with very sensitive skin – or conditions like eczema, psoriasis, and cracked heels – may be easily affected by changes to their environment. Factors including cleaning products, drafts, and bedsheets can all deplete skin of its natural oils.

Spend some time assessing whether your home environment is making your dry skin worse. Even small changes can be beneficial. If you’re dealing with skin issues, see if there are any changes you can make. Even changing your laundry detergent or vacuuming more frequently could have dramatic results.

In addition to changes to your home, regular moisturizing is always important.

You can read more about how Delfina works here and see before and after pictures here.

We know how debilitating skin issues can be, and how important it is to find a routine that works for you. If you have any questions about Delfina Dry Skin Oil or anything else, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re always here to help.