Unpacking the dry skin type can be complex. Dry skin is complicated because it is not caused by a single factor, making it difficult to determine whether it is due to genetics or external factors that can be corrected, especially given that it is frequently confused with dehydrated skin and that anyone can experience dry skin at any age. In this blog, we will discuss what dry skin is, how to identify it, what causes the skin to be dry, what key symptoms can be identified with dry skin, and effective treatments that can safely remedy the dry skin condition.
What is Dry Skin
Dry skin is caused by an inactive sebaceous gland, abnormal exfoliation of surface cells (hyperkeratosis), and environmental insults. As all body activities slow down with time, so does oil gland activity and exfoliation. Indeed, many women may notice that their skin has changed from oily to dry following menopause. Because oil on the skin’s surface acts as a natural barrier against moisture loss, the lack of oil in dry skin reduces its ability to retain moisture. As a result, dry skin is usually dehydrated and feels scaly, rough, and itchy.
Dry skin is frequently described as fine, delicate, and thin, with almost invisible pores. As a result, dry skin may have fewer stratum corneum cells than oily skin. The skin also wrinkles easily and is frequently riddled with tiny superficial lines. A dry skin type that is associated with abnormal exfoliation, sun damage, or general premature aging, on the other hand, can appear thick and flaky.
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Exposure to the sun, wind, and heat aggravates dry skin problems. Improper skin care, particularly a lack of protection against moisture loss, exaggerates the problem. Products that add emollients or oils to the skin’s surface, as well as those that add to or stimulate the skin’s natural production of humectants, should be used to care for dry skin (water binding ingredients).
Adding emollients or oils to the skin’s surface aids in the formation of a “sealing” film, reducing moisture loss. High molecular weight ingredients such as collagen, hyaluronic acid, and dimethicone may also be present in these products. Moisturizing ingredients such as glycolic and lactic acids, glycerin, urea, ceramides, and cholesterol aid in the skin’s natural water retention and moisture retention. Multifunction moisturizers, for example, are essential for dry skin and highly recommended.
The use of antioxidant ingredients in skin care products, as with all skin types, is critical to preventing cellular damage. For dry skin, nourishing, hydrating masks are also recommended.
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How to Identify Dry Skin
- Small Pores
- Skin Looks Dull
- Skin appears flaky
- lacks plumpness
- your skin does not absorb products
- More likely to suffer reactions to products
- easily aggravated
What Causes Dry Skin
- Genetics
If the majority of your family members suffer from dry skin, you are likely to suffer from it as well.
- Age
Sebum production in the skin decreases with age. This can lead to flaky skin. Dry skin is more common in older people. As you get older, your pores naturally produce less oil, increasing your chances of having dry skin.
- Season
Due to a lack of humidity, dry skin is common in dry climates and during the winter season. Dry skin is more prevalent in the fall and winter months when humidity levels are low. Higher humidity levels in the summer help keep your skin from drying out.
Medical History
If you have a family history of eczema or allergic contact dermatitis, you are more likely to develop these conditions or other allergic diseases.
- Long Showers/ Bathing Habits
Showering for long periods of time can strip your skin of its natural oils. Dry skin is a result of this. Washing with very hot water increases your chances of developing dry skin.
Types Of Dry Skin
- Genetic Dry Skin
This is when it appears that you always have dry skin, regardless of the other circumstances. Dry skin is frequently caused by a lack of essential fatty acids, particularly Omega 3. That means your skin isn’t being moisturized from the inside out because you’re not processing or consuming enough omega 3, or your sebum glands are malfunctioning. It is also linked to a genetic condition called ichthyosis and is common in people who are prone to Atopic Dermatitis (eczema).
- Environmental Dry Skin
As previously stated, there are several factors that contribute to dry skin, one of which is a lack of humidity in the air, and heating and air conditioning can leave your skin dehydrated. This means that when you use harsh soaps on your skin in an attempt to be “squeaky clean,” you are stripping your skin of its natural oils, and when combined with the environmental factors mentioned above, it causes an imbalance in the top layers of the skin, which ends up contributing to dry skin. This is also referred to as contact dermatitis.
- Extremely Dry Skin
Seborrheic Dermatitis or Extremely Dry Skin Dermatitis occurs when the skin becomes inflamed. It can appear as patches of redness and irritated skin, as well as itchiness. Infants are susceptible to this type of dermatitis.
Symptoms of Dry Skin
- Skin that feels tight and flaky
- skin that feels and looks rough and dull
- Excessive Itching
- Peeling and Scaling Skin
Treatment Of Dry Skin
- Be Mindful of Your Shower/Bath Water temperature
- Oatmeal Baths
- Exfoliating
- Petroleum Jelly
- Increase Omega 3 in your diet
- Use a humidifier
- Use Oleic-Rich Oils
Tips For A Dry Skin Type
- Drink lots of Water
- Mind your bath and shower temperature
- Use a moisturizing soap when you shower or bath
- Moisturize regularly to keep your skin hydrated and soft
- Gently pat yourself dry after a bath or shower
- Use a Humidifier to keep your skin’s natural moisture
- Don’t spend too much in the shower
- Include Omega’s in your diet
- Vitamin A is vital for dry skin
- Vitamin C boosts collagen acts a sponge for moisture
- Zinc and Copper help keep collagen dense, which helps with hydration and plumpness of the skin
- Mind the Fabrics and materials of your clothes, such as wool and synthetic fibers, they tend to irritate the skin
Recommended Skincare Routine
Use a Cleansing Lotion
Balm, milk, or oil cleansers are better for dry skin because they are more moisturizing than foaming cleansers, which can dry out your skin even more.
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Face Cleanser, Hydrating Facial Cleanser With Niacinamide + Ceramides, Daily Face Wash For Dry Skin To Normal Skin, Sensitive Skin Tested, Fragrance Free.
Daily face wash for normal to dry sensitive skin. A cream cleanser that helps skin retain essential moisture while cleansing. Gently removes face & eye makeup, dirt and impurities, while maintaining skin’s natural protective barrier & pH.
Benefits
Leaves skin feeling hydrated. Infused with Prebiotic Thermal Water, Ceramide-3, Niacinamide & Glycerin.
Suggested use
Wet skin with warm water. Work cleanser into a lather. Massage into skin. Rinse. Pat dry. Can be used on eye area.
Hydrating Toner
It is critical not to skip this step, as it is frequently overlooked. Look for toners with multiple benefits, such as those containing Hyaluronic Acid, which will help lock in moisture while preventing dryness and dehydration.
ANUA Rice 70 Glow Milky Toner, for Glass Skin, Rice Water, Niacinamide, Ceramides, Panthenol, Fragrance-Free, Non comedogenic, Fungal Acne Safe, Korean Skin Care, 250ml/8.45fl.oz.
- LIGHTWEIGHT MILKY TONER FOR GLASS SKIN : Provides intense moisture with a blend of Rice Water, Niacinamide and Ceramides, yet leaves a refreshing non-sticky finish to achieve glass skin.
- RICE WATER & NIACINAMIDE TO HYDRATE : Contains 70% ANUA RICE WATER+ and Niacinamide for dull skin.
- CERAMIDES & PROTEIN FOR HEALTHY SKIN BARRIER : Contains ANUA RICE CERA-PROTEIN, a blend of Ceramides and Protein which make up the skin’s natural barrier, to strengthen and protect the skin barrier.
- SOOTHES & HYDRATES : Formulated with Panthenol, Glycerin and Allantoin to soothe irritated skin and provide instant hydration and moisture.
Nourishing Serum and Oils
You’re looking for something that will draw moisture into the dry skin for this step. It will be most beneficial if you choose something that has been specially formulated with ultra-nourishing ingredients such as prickly pear. This step will address both dehydration and flakiness in the skin.
Eight Saints High Society Botanical Face Oil, Natural and Organic Anti Aging Facial Oil with Jojoba Oil, Vitamin E Oil, Marula Oil, and Neroli Oil, 1 Ounce.
- We sourced the best of the best in natural plant-based oils, combining omega-rich marula oil, hydrating jojoba oil, antioxidant rich Vitamin E Oil and lavish neroli oil with other antioxidant-rich oils to create the ultimate luxury face oil.
- For all skin types. This lightweight facial oil absorbs quickly and offers intense hydration while smoothing lines, all without a greasy finish. Perfect for gua sha.
- Key natural & organic ingredients include Marula Oil, Vitamin E Oil, Jojoba Oil and Grapeseed Oil. Cruelty free. Fragrance free. Made in USA with love.
- We’re all about providing truth and clarity in natural, effective skincare. In a crowded market with over-hyped “miracle ingredients”, we found most ingredients don’t produce results. We drilled down to 8 key ingredients that generated the majority of the benefits for your skin: Our “Eight Saints”
Moisturizer with SPF
Applying moisturizer while your skin is still warm and moist allows the moisturizer’s moisture to penetrate the skin and keep it as hydrated as possible, which is ideal for dry skin.
CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion for Dry Skin, Body Lotion & Face Moisturizer with Hyaluronic Acid and Ceramides, Daily Moisturizer, Fragrance Free, Oil-Free, 19 Ounce.
- [ DAILY MOISTURIZING LOTION ] Smooth, light-weight texture that is absorbed quickly, leaving skin feeling smooth and hydrated, never greasy
- [ LONG-LASTING HYDRATION ] Contains Hyaluronic Acid to help retain skins natural moisture and MVE technology to provide 24 hour hydration
- [ GENTLE ON SKIN ] Holds National Eczema Association (NEA) Seal of Acceptance. Fragrance free, allergy-tested, non-comedogenic, and suitable for use as a body lotion, face moisturizing lotion, and/or hand lotion
- [ 3 ESSENTIAL CERAMIDES ] Ceramides are found naturally in the skin and make up 50% of the lipids in the skin barrier. All CeraVe products are formulated with three essential ceramides (1, 3, 6-II) to help restore and maintain the skin’s natural barrier.
Extra Steps:
Exfoliating
Exfoliating is an important step for dry skin because dry skin requires more exfoliation than other skin types due to flakiness. It is critical not to overuse abrasive exfoliants, as this can exacerbate the problem.
Paula’s Choice SKIN PERFECTING 2% BHA Liquid Salicylic Acid Exfoliant-Facial Exfoliant for Blackheads, Enlarged Pores, Wrinkles & Fine Lines.
Our iconic global best seller, this clinically proven daily leave-on liquid exfoliant with salicylic acid quickly unclogs pores and controls oil for clear, glowing skin.
Noticeably unclogs & clears pore congestion, combats blemishes, improves clarity, and smooths rough, bumpy texture.
Apply 1-2x per day after cleansing. Use clean fingers or a cotton pad to apply. Do not rinse.
Moisturizing Facial Masks
After exfoliation, apply a hydrating mask to plump the skin and replenish it with skin-glow oils and butters.
Paula’s Choice SKIN RECOVERY Hydrating Treatment Facial Mask, 4 Ounce Bottle, for Extra Dry Skin.
A deeply hydrating face mask for dry to very dry skin that works overnight to restore a dewy, resilient, appearance and feeling of firmness for a visibly refined complexion.
Intensely hydrates to improve the look & feel of dry, tight skin. Visibly calms redness and combats dullness.
Apply generously to clean skin as needed. Leave on for 20+ minutes or overnight, then rinse.
Tips to Consider for Dry Skin
- Foaming cleansers are not recommended for dry skin because they tend further dry it out.
- Exfoliation is beneficial for dry skin because it removes dead cells, but it should not be overdone as it can cause dryness and patchiness.
- Taking excessively long and hot showers will dehydrate your skin.
- Not all oils are suitable for dry skin and should not be used as a moisturizer.
- A thicker cream is not always better for dry skin; instead, consider the nourishing and hydrating ingredients in the cream rather than the consistency.
Ingredients best for & What to Avoid for Dry Skin
| Oils | Other Ingredients | What to Avoid |
| Avocado Oil | Lactic Acid | Salicylic Acid |
| Oat Oil | Oat | Denatured Alcohols |
| Borage Oil | Hyaluronic Acid | Harsh Soaps |
| Argan Oil | Ceramides | Synthetic Fragrances |
| Almond Oil | Shea Butter | Retinoids |
Conclusion
Though at times, dry skin can be uncomfortable and irritating, there is always a way to ensure that you handle it with the care it needs and if you stay consistent in good nutrition and proper effective skin care treatment, you will most likely combat most of the challenges you face with dry skin. We hope our guide helps you on your journey to healthy skin.
God Bless you.
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References:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dry-skin/symptoms-causes/syc-20353885
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/16940-dry-skin
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