Does your skin feel rough and flaky all year round? Everyone's skin suffers from dryness on occasion, but a more persistent struggle can be a symptom of your skin type. Read on to learn more about dry skin and find our recommendations for reducing and relieving dryness.
What causes skin dryness?
Like all skin types, dry skin is genetic. It is characterized by an insufficient supply of sebum (which lubricates the skin) and lipids (which keep the skin's moisture barrier intact). Without these essential materials, the skin loses its ability to produce and store sufficient moisture. On the surface, this deficiency shows up as dry, flaky skin and a dull complexion.
The skin also becomes thinner and drier with age. Over time, the skin's hyaluronic acid stores decrease due to the body's natural aging processes. This naturally occurring substance, which attracts and retains moisture, is critical to keeping the skin soft and supple.
As the hyaluronic acid wears off, the skin loses its ability to hold onto hydration and becomes drier and more brittle.
Dry skin is often confused with dehydration, but they really are very different. While dehydration is preventable and easy to treat, dry skin is a skin type that requires ongoing maintenance to be cared for. You can get stuck with dry skin, but the right skin care routine can make a world of difference.
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Dry skin: signs and symptoms
A dry skin type has the following signs and symptoms:
- Tightness, especially after cleaning
- If youRough texture
- A dull, lackluster look
- Hardly visible pores
- Flaking, flaking, or peeling
- Fine lines, especially around the eyes and lips
- If youA tendency to redness and itchiness
How to treat dry skin
Dry skin can be made worse by external factors such as hormones, environmental stress, and seasonal changes. Here are some simple ways to keep dry skin soft and plump.
1. Moisten
Moisturizers are a breeze for caring for dry skin. Oil-based ointments, creams, and lotions that are high in essential fatty acids (EFAs) make up for the lack of oil and lipids in dry skin. They lubricate the skin's surface and strengthen the skin's moisture barrier. They help replenish and lock in the much-needed moisture.
Pro tip: Apply moisturizer while your skin is still slightly damp to lock in extra moisture.
2. Monitor your water temperature
Extreme temperatures can worsen an already dry complexion by stripping the skin of essential oils. Joshua Draftsman, M.D.tells EVEN: "The water in your shower should be the temperature you would imagine for a heated pool – about 84 degrees Fahrenheit." If hot showers are non-negotiable, limit them to no more than ten minutes to protect dry skin.
The water in your shower should be the temperature you would imagine for a heated pool – about 84 degrees Fahrenheit.
3. Use gentle ingredients
Like extreme temperatures, harsh cosmetic ingredients can compromise the skin's moisture barrier, causing dryness and irritation. To protect your skin, avoid products that contain chemical ingredients such as parabens, petrolatum, mineral oils, propylene glycol, or sodium lauryl sulfate.
4. Protect your skin in winter
Dry winter air also contributes to the dryness of the skin. In the winter months there is less moisture in the air, which means that the moisture in your skin evaporates faster. To compensate, Harvard Health recommends using a humidifier and setting it to around 60%. This is enough to replenish the lost moisture in the top layer of skin.
5. Adjust your diet
You can improve your skin's ability to retain moisture by adding healthy fats to your diet. Omega-3 and Omega-6 oils support skin health by fighting inflammation and strengthening the skin's moisture barrier. Some of the foods to add to your shopping list include salmon, flaxseed, walnuts, and sunflower seeds.
Dry skin care routine
One of the best ways to combat dry skin is to tailor your skin care regimen to include moisture-rich products that will replenish and repair. We recommend the following routine to heal and soothe dry skin.
1. Cleaning
First, remove any contamination with a gentle oil-based cleaner. Eminence Organics Product Support Representative Alicia Hawthorne recommends Wildflower Cleansing Balm. Formulated with poppy seed oil and elderflower, this transforming yellow balm replenishes lost moisture and soothes redness caused by dryness.
2. Peeling (weekly)
Alicia recommends a weekly scrub to "watch out for dandruff!" A gentle scrub like Strawberry Rhubarb Dermafoliant is the best choice for a dry complexion. Containing lactic acid, rice and chickpea flour, this physical and chemical scrub removes dead skin cells and smoothes out rough, dry skin.
3rd tone
Think of toner as a "conditioner" for your detergent. A product like ours Stone Crop Hydrating Mist contains nourishing ingredients like Stone Crop, Lavender and Jasmine to restore moisture and soothe dry skin.
4. Treat
When it comes to Alicia chooses an oil, concentrate, or serum for dry skin and recommends reaching for a product that is high in both fatty acids and anti-inflammatory ingredients. Her suggestion is Facial Recovery Oil, which contains soothing and nourishing oils that heal dry skin.
5. Moisturize
Choose an oil-rich cream that will replenish moisture and repair your skin's lipid barrier. Our Coconut Age Corrective Moisturizer contains deeply moisturizing coconut oil and shea butter. Shea butter in particular is an excellent emollient for the skin; It is rich in triglycerides and fatty acids that help restore and retain moisture.
Are you ready to update your dry skin routine? Find these products and more at one Eminence Organics Partner Spa near you.