Today we will talk about dry skin and those who need an even more careful moisturizing routine. Just like other skin types, there are many questions and so we will answer the main ones here.
What are the characteristics of dry skin?
Dry skin lacks lipids and tends to suffer from dehydration, as a damaged lipid barrier cannot retain water properly. This problem originates from a dysfunction in the skin barrier, allowing external aggressions and pathogens (such as pollution and allergenic particles) to penetrate the epidermis. As a result, the skin becomes drier, tighter and itchy.
There are two types of dry skin:
- Pathological dry skin: which includes skin diseases such as eczema, psoriasis and atopic dermatitis, requiring medical monitoring.
- Physiological dry skin: this can be associated with climate, diet or incorrect use of a product. In this case, it is not necessary to consult a doctor, as daily care is usually enough to solve the problem.
Dry skin is most often accompanied by a feeling of tightness, itching, redness or flaking. The skin loses its flexibility and may become rough and wrinkled.
What factors can dry out the skin more?
- Low air humidity
- Take long, hot baths
- Rubbing the skin too much
- Use abrasive products
- Use of acids
- Using products that are not suitable for your skin type
- Not moisturizing, etc.
Dry or dehydrated skin?
Dry skin is a classification of skin type and dehydrated skin is a skin condition. Any skin type can be dehydrated.
As explained above, dry skin has insufficient sebum or oil production. The lack of these natural agents influences the skin's ability to retain moisture, thus favoring a more fragile skin barrier, which will accompany you for the rest of your life. There are many factors that influence this, both internal and external. These include the climate and pollution, some medications, stress or genetic factors, or even the products we use. These factors influence both the production of sebum and sweat, as well as the skin's natural hydration factors.
Dehydrated skin, on the other hand, occurs due to a lack of water on the surface of the skin, caused by external factors. Therefore, it is something temporary and all skin types can suffer from it.
How to hydrate and choose the best option?
To effectively moisturize dry skin, it’s important to choose products and ingredients that help restore the skin barrier, lock in moisture, and nourish the skin. Here are some tips on what products and ingredients to look for:
Dry Skin Care Routine:
Gentle Cleaning
- Use a gentle, sulfate-free cleanser to avoid stripping your skin of its natural oils.
- Choose warm water instead of hot water, as hot water can dry out your skin even more.
Light Exfoliation
- Exfoliate your skin once or twice a week with a gentle exfoliant to remove dead skin cells and allow moisturizers to be better absorbed.
- Avoid abrasive scrubs, which can irritate dry skin.
Deep Hydration
- Apply a rich, creamy moisturizer right after showering, while skin is still damp, to seal in hydration.
Choose products with ingredients such as:
- Hyaluronic acid: This is one of the most popular ingredients for hydration. It attracts and retains moisture in the skin, helping to keep it hydrated and plump.
- Ceramides: Ceramides help restore the skin's natural barrier and retain moisture, which is essential for dry skin.
- Green tea extract: Rich in antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory and moisturizing properties, helping to soothe and hydrate the skin.
- Gotu Kola (Cica): This ingredient is famous for its healing and soothing properties, making it excellent for dry and irritated skin.
- Propolis Extract: Known for its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, as well as being highly moisturizing.
- Niacinamide (Vitamin B3): Helps strengthen the skin barrier, improve texture and increase hydration.