As the rest of the country faces cold, artic air and snow & ice storms, Arizonans are basking in sunny days and 70 degree weather! However, as we all know living in the desert means dry air which in turn can cause dry skin. Learn more about how dry skin happens and several ways to help prevent it.
Causes of Dry Skin
- Dry air can cause dry skin by pulling moisture out of the top layers of your skin.
- Long, hot showers and baths. The hot water evaporates quickly off your skin, pulling out moisture and natural oils as it evaporates.
- Cold air holds less moisture than warm air.
- Heating and air conditioning systems also pull moisture from the air and your skin.
- Hard water. Much like hard water leaves soap scum on your faucets and water-using appliances; it also leaves soap scum on your skin. This soap scum is caused when hard water minerals, such as calcium and magnesium, mix with soap. This creates a sticky film that sticks to surfaces, creating a soap scum buildup.
How to Prevent Dry Skin
- Use a moisturizer, daily, even twice a day. Don’t wait until your skin is all the way dry after a shower or bath. Apply moisturizer when your skin is still damp or moist so it will soak in better.
- Take shorter showers and baths with cooler water. Limit your time to just 5-10 minutes. When you’re finished, pat dry rather than rub your skin.
- Keep your thermostat set to a reasonable temperature. The warmer it is set, the more your furnace will run, and the more moisture it will be drawing out of the air.
- Soften your water. Softer water means that soap will create more lather, and rinse from your skin better. It will also Ieave your skin in a more natural state, without a film, with more of your natural oils, and ready to soak in those moisturizers. A water softener uses an ion exchange process to remove the hard water minerals in your water leaving you with softer skin day after day.
Benefits of a Water Softener
When it comes to desert air and dry skin, one of the best benefits of having a water softener is softer, less dry skin. However, that is n
ot the only benefit. Your hair will be also be softer, smoother, and shinier. Less soap scum and scale buildup on your faucets and water-using appliances means they will last longer. Your laundry will come out softer and cleaner, and your dishes will have less spots too.
Think You Have Hard Water?
Are you concerned about your water? Do you think hard water is affecting your skin? Give us a call at 602-653-9230 today!
Kowality Plumbing is your quality source for Reverse Osmosis, Water Filter Systems, Water Softeners and Phyn Plus – Moen Flo – Stream Labs, (smart water monitoring and auto shut off devices) throughout the East Valley.
