There’s nothing worse than feeling that uncomfortable level of tightness in the skin after taking a shower or using a product. Sometimes the feeling can come from nowhere, or it can be a gradual build over time.
Tight skin is usually a sign of overall poor skin health and should be treated with a fair degree of seriousness. Today, we’ll be discussing the reasons why your skin may feel tight, and some of the best ways to heal it.
Why your skin feels tight
Excessive tightness in the skin can be a sign of skin damage or severe irritation. The skin has multiple layers to it, and when the outermost layer, also called the epidermis, suffers damage, the exposed area can be a source of many forms of discomfort, reactions, and yes, tightness.
The epidermis is responsible for many of the processes that keep your skin healthy and safe. It keeps the skin hydrated by retaining water, helps the development of new skin cells, protects the skin from environmental hazards like the sun, and contributes to melanin production. Needless to say, when this layer gets harmed, it can result in some unpleasant consequences.
What causes tight skin?
As we said, the leading foundational factor when it comes to skin tightness is damage to the outer layer of the skin, but there are other things that can amplify this problem and add to your troubles.
Sun damage
The sun’s powerful UV rays can be harmful to the skin even without a damaged epidermis, but they can do so much more damage to exposed skin. Sunscreen exists for a reason, and if the skin is already in bad shape, you should be using it every day for protection.
Dehydration
Dehydration in the skin can lead to dryness, and also tightness. Dry skin can have a harsh impact, and if left unattended to that dryness can develop into a more serious state, leading to cracks, itchiness, and other forms of irritation. All of these things can then combine together to create a tight sensation. Hydration is super important for skin health.
Over-exfoliating
Exfoliators, or scrubs, are usually wonderful products that help to rid the skin of dirt, debris, and dead cells, and provide pores with room and air to breathe. However, due to their potent ingredients, they can sometimes be too harsh for certain types of skin, leading to scrapes and scratches on the skin’s surface. This can then lead to further damage, dryness, and tightness.
Sulfate sensitivity
Sulfates are extremely common in a wide range of skincare products, but some people can react to them in a negative way. Sulfates are great for getting rid of excess oil, but for certain people, this can act as a detriment. Oil is essential for skin hydration, and having too little can dry out the skin and cause redness, irritation, and tightness. Check to see whether you are reacting poorly to sulfates and perhaps use products that are sulfate-free to help your skin improve.
How to get rid of tight feeling skin
Easing the tightness felt in your skin is all about developing a healthy skincare routine. If the skin is in good overall condition, the likelihood of severe tightness will be much lower. Here are some of our best tips.
Use sunscreen
As we mentioned above, the sun can do all sorts of damage to the skin. To avoid sunburns, dryness, and peeling, use sunscreen with a minimum of SPF 30, even if it isn’t a particularly sunny day outside. Sunscreen helps to protect the skin from the sun’s UV rays, which gives it a much better chance of avoiding harm and bad reactions. Not enough people take sun care seriously enough, and we will never tire of raising this point.
Moisturize
Hydration is essential for good skin health. Lack of water will make the skin dry, lead to itchiness, irritation, and even flaking or peeling. This can all do a lot of harm to the surface layer of the skin, which creates a snowball effect of discomfort and tightness. Using a gentle moisturizer on a daily basis will really help the skin retain water, stay hydrated, and keep it in great shape. Moisturizers come in many forms, so find one that works best for your specific skin type to reap the benefits.
Be cautious with exfoliation
Due to the harsh ingredients present inside exfoliators, it might be worth significantly lowering your usage of them if your skin has shown signs of being particularly sensitive to them. While the general recommended advice is you can exfoliate 3-4 times a week, sometimes this can be far too much. Over-exfoliating can cause dryness, skin damage, irritation, and tightness. Find out what your skin responds to and then act accordingly.
Don’t wash with hot water
When taking a shower or washing your face, make sure the water is warm rather than hot. Hot water can instantly cause reactions in the skin due to its high temperature. Ever stepped out of a hot shower and noticed your skin was red? That’s a sign the water was too harsh on the skin. Your skin will handle nice, warm water much better, and the chances of dryness and redness will be much lower.
Conclusion
Tight-feeling skin is a signifier of damaged or unhealthy skin. By taking a few simple steps, this tightness and further irritation can be alleviated significantly.
Always keep an eye on how your skin reacts to products, environmental factors, and other external forces in order to best care for it.