What is the reason behind dry skin, and how to take a proper dry skin skincare routine?
Symptoms of dry skin affect many people, regardless of age or gender. Even those who are more prone to oily skin may suffer from dry skin at certain times. With the proper cosmetics care and the right products, you can reach miracles. Above all, be patient.
What causes dry skin?
- Aging – the skin gradually dries out and loses nutrition, wrinkles begin to form
- Aggressive soaps, cleansers, and chlorine – disrupt skin natural protection
- Cosmetics with alcohol content
- Excessive showering or bathing – especially in hot water
- Insufficient hydration – insufficient liquid intake
- Staying in space with air conditioning or heating, dust, and exhaust fumes
- Cold weather – wind and low humidity or, vice versa, too much sunbathing
- Lack of healthy fats and vitamins
- Smoking
- It may be a sign of kidney disease or diabetes
- And last but not least – hereditary factor
Is your skin dry or just dehydrated?
At first glance, difficult to recognize.
Dry skin is associated with insufficient sebum production, thinning of skin layers, tightening, and fragility. In addition to the fact that this skin type is most often inherited, you can “get it” due to external influences, unhealthy lifestyle, excessive air pollution, or improper skincare routine.
Three stages of dry skin are:
- Dry skin – lower concentration of natural moisturizing substances and reduced ability of the skin to bind water cause its thickening and tension
- dehydrated skin – mostly we can find it in the area of hands, and in the elderly, it is rough, cracked, with dry flakes
- Dry atopic skin – is very prone to atopic eczema, which leads to peeling, itching, redness, and inflammation of the skin
When is the best time to see a doctor?
Dry skin itself can be the first signal of the initial phase of skin disease in some cases. If the skin condition has not improved even after long-term use of cosmetics for dry skin and proper skincare, consult a specialist.
Dehydrated skin is easier to get back to normal.
Dehydrated skin is better as it can return to normal more quickly. Dehydrated skin tolerates heavier, oily creams very well compared to dry skin. In this case, the skin is rough, looks tired, and dry flakes often occur because it has lower water content.
The effect of dry skin on the formation of wrinkles
With aging, dry skin gradually becomes dull, hypersensitive, rough, and responds to any negative stimuli with irritation and redness. All you need is a short stay in chlorinated water, sauna, solarium, in cold weather, and the result is an unpleasant feeling of contraction and irritation. The main issue is that dry skin lacks fat and moisture. And this is the reason why wrinkles form earlier than with others skin types.
Ten tips of how to care for dry skin
Each skin type is specific and requires extra care. That is why we bring you 10 tips to save your skin from the feeling of being drying out.
Cleaning of dry skin
If you have a dry skin type, please do not overdo it with cleaning. Twice a day is just right. Use gentle, moisturizing products that do not damage the protective skin layer, and avoid water. Cream cleansers have the most delicate composition and are designed primarily for normal to dry skin. For dehydrated skin, try cleansing oils that hydrate the skin to an increased extent. Although it sounds paradoxical, water dries the skin. It evaporates quickly, and the skin remains drier than before.
Dry skin is vulnerable to viruses and bacteria.
The wrong cosmetic products and neglecting skincare can dry out the skin and cause various skin diseases.
Cosmetic products for dry skin
Use heavier, oily creams at night; choose a lighter moisturizer at day. The most suitable are skincare products that contain vitamins A (retinol) and E, green and brown seaweed, ceramides, hyaluronic acid, etc. In winter, use oil instead of cream. Do not get trapped by advertising or good advice from a friend. Every skin is different, and each requires different skincare. Avoid cosmetics containing alcohol, and try natural products that do not dry out the skin.
Peeling – yes or no?
In some cases, yes – if there are dead cells or flakes present on the skin. Skin peeling removes dead cells and leaves space for new, healthy cells. Treat yourself to a peeling a maximum of 2 times a month.
Hot shower and hot bath every day
Although water dries your skin, you do not have to give up daily showering. Replace the hot bath with a shorter shower with lukewarm water. If you do not want to give up hot baths completely, try to reduce the frequency and add bath oils to the water.
Excessive use of soaps, shower gels, and cleaning agents
Soaps and shower gels destroy the skin’s natural defense mechanism. The skin’s protective layer quickly re-forms, but with repeated use, the protective layer gradually thins, and the skin will become drier and drier. Oil-based showers and cleaners are the most suitable.
Drink enough and eat properly
You need to hydrate the skin not only from the outside but also from the inside. You should drink at least eight glasses of water a day. Replace soft and sweet drinks with clean water or mineral water. Coffee or cola will not help you, just the opposite – they dehydrate the body. The skin condition is related not only to cosmetic products but also to a proper lifestyle. Make sure you eat enough healthy fats found in fish, nuts, or avocados.
Dry air
If you spend a lot of time daily inside with dry air, in an air-conditioned room, or have dry air at home, try humidifiers.
Excessive sunbathing
You don’t have to stop sunbathing. To reduce UV rays, use quality cosmetics intended for sunbathing and after sun products, consume enough beta-carotene, and drink plenty of fluids.
Smoking
not only active smoking harms the skin but also staying in smoky areas. Today, almost all restaurants offer non-smoking areas or even a complete ban on smoking. Smoking has a significant effect on drying the skin and subsequently on the formation of wrinkles. In addition to making your skin look better at first glance, you will do something for your overall health.
Dry skin and rashes
Although this skin is dry and there is no excessive sebum secretion, rashes or acne can also form on this skin type. There are several reasons.
Even if the skin is dry, do not provide hydration excessively. Try replacing thick and oily creams with softer ones with a lighter composition.
Try new cosmetics alternatives. There are millions of cosmetics on the market, and you will find the most suitable one for your skin. Swapping products too often is also not recommended. Give your skin enough time to get used to the new cosmetic product.
Cleanse your body and get rid of toxins. The rashes can be caused by improper lifestyle or a lifestyle change. When it comes to lifestyle changes, rashes and acne are only temporary. Give them time to be appropriately healed naturally and not “clean them” unless required.
