Ashy skin: It’s unappealing and aggravating. It’s no consolation, but it’s also very common—especially in the fall and winter when low humidity and indoor heating wreak havoc on the skin’s ability to retain moisture. It’s a matter of degree when the skin turns from dry to ashy; ashy skin is so dry that it appears white or flaky as if it’s covered in an ash film.
It is most noticeable in people with dark skin tones and appears most frequently on the legs, elbows, knees, arms, and heels. Fortunately, there is a lot you can do to stop ashy skin and restore your skin’s glow.
Look at the Ingredients on Your Skin Care Products
Just because a skin care product’s label says “moisturizing” doesn’t mean it is. Indeed, such a product can be extremely drying. So, how do you tell them apart? Learn about labels. Ingredients are listed in the order of percentage content, so the first five ingredients in a skincare product can be very telling.
Keep an eye out for alcoholic beverages. Some are better than others when it comes to drying. SD alcohol, denatured alcohol, and isopropyl alcohol are all bad types of alcohol in skin care products; they’re usually added to help wet ingredients evaporate quickly on the skin, but they deplete your skin’s natural moisture in the process.
. Fatty alcohols like cetyl, stearyl, and cetearyl are on the other end of the spectrum; they’re actually good for your skin and won’t dry it out.
Artificial fragrances and SLSs (sodium lauryl sulfate and sodium laureth sulfate), which are commonly found in body washes and shampoos, are also ingredients to avoid. SLSs cause a lot of bubbles in products, but they also strip the skin of valuable moisture. There are SLS-free products on the market, such as SLS-free shampoo for color-treated hair, which is popular because it does not strip the hair. The same is true for skincare products.
Oils, butter, lanolin, and petrolatum provide long-lasting moisture to your skin and keep it from evaporating. Seeing those ingredients at the top of the list is a good sign.
In fact, if you’re desperate for something that works without irritating your sensitive skin, avoid perfumy, expensive, chemical-laden products and instead apply butter or oil directly to your skin. Coconut oil is especially beneficial to the skin. Shea butter is also an excellent deep moisturizer.
Turn the Hot Water Down a Notch
Bathing or showering in hot water is extremely drying to the skin, especially if you spend a lot of time enjoying the heat. Instead, use warm water and avoid soaking in the tub for too long. This is especially important during the winter when the air is already so dry (and drying!) both inside and outside your home. To lock in the moisture your body absorbs during your shower or bath, apply a thick body cream or coconut oil right after you dry off.
Exfoliate Weekly or Biweekly
Everyone should exfoliate their skin on a regular basis, but it is especially important if they have ashy skin. Part of the problem is the accumulation of dead skin cells, which are visible on the skin’s surface when it is so dry. You can easily remove them in the shower by using a gentle scrub once or twice a week. Concentrate on your arms, stomach, and legs, which are the most prone to ashy skin.
Use a Humidifier
If you live in a cold climate, the heat you use to heat your home lacks humidity and saps moisture from your skin—exactly what causes ashiness. Use a humidifier to help maintain healthy moisture levels in your home to combat this (and your skin). Choose a cold-water humidifier instead of a warm-water humidifier to avoid mold problems.
Drink Plenty of Water
You hear it all the time, but you should do it! Drinking plenty of water can keep your skin plump and moist, hydrating your body from within. Skin requires moisture from within to produce what it requires on the outside, so drink up! You don’t have to stick to plain water. Naturally flavored beverages and teas, especially if caffeine-free, help replenish your body’s moisture. Bottom line: Get splashy to get rid of ashy.
