What is dry skin?

Read this article if you want to know the reasons why your skin becomes dry and how to care for it. We will recommend effective products and give some useful tips for turning very dry skin into well-hydrated skin.

1. Signs of dry skin
2. Causes of dry skin
3. How dry skin differs from normal and oily skin
4. What to do for very dry skin
5. Dry skin care
6. Caring for dry body skin
7. Precautions when caring for dry skin
8. Tools Overview

Signs of dry skin

The tendency to dryness mainly has genetic causes. Therefore, fundamental changes cannot be achieved here. But making friends with your skin and improving its condition is quite possible. The main thing is proper care and preventive measures.

Typically, dryness is characteristic of both facial skin and body skin. Such skin is usually thinner and more sensitive.

When the sebaceous glands do not produce enough secretion, that is, sebum, which protects the epidermis from drying out and minor damage, the skin retains moisture less well, so it often dries out, reacts with irritation, and ages faster.

Dry skin is often sensitive. © iStock

Don't confuse dry skin with dehydration - a temporary and easily correctable condition. Oily skin can also be dehydrated. Moreover, due to lack of moisture, it begins to produce more fat.

Lack of moisture is often explained by improper care and other external factors, such as windy weather or dry indoor air.

To avoid confusion, remember the signs of dry skin.

Dry skin is rarely problematic, while oily skin (especially dehydrated skin) usually shows comedones, acne, and enlarged pores.

Dehydrated skin lacks water, dry skin lacks fat, which means the former needs hydrofixing agents (glycerin, hyaluronic acid), the latter needs moisture-locking or lipid-replenishing components (oil, ceramides).

Dry skin is often prone to sensitivity and does not tolerate polluted air and hard water well. It is more likely to react to common allergens (for example, honey).

To care for dry skin, choose light textures. © iStock

Causes of dry skin

Cleansers containing aggressive surfactants (surfactants) destroy the hydrolipid mantle of the skin.

The moisturizer was not rich enough for you, or the skin does not have enough nutrition to retain moisture inside.

Severe weather conditions, for example, heat with increased dry air or frost in combination with icy winds undermine the protective potential of the skin.

Insufficient indoor air humidity is a common problem in our latitudes when central heating is turned on.

Clothing made from synthetic fabrics and wool can cause discomfort, itching and flaking of the skin of the body if it is prone to dryness, especially in winter.

A hot shower is one of the main provocateurs of dry skin on the body, since high-temperature water, especially with prolonged contact, destroys the hydrolipidic barrier - the protective mantle that retains moisture in the skin cells.

An unbalanced diet, lack of fatty acids in the diet and lack of proteins can lead to dry skin - both face and body.

Some types of hormonal treatments or the use of retinoids provoke severe dry skin. You will have to wait until this side effect disappears, smoothing out its manifestation with the help of cosmetics.

How dry skin differs from normal and oily skin

Compared to oily and normal skin, dry skin has an insufficient hydrolipid layer. It is thinner, and the vessels are located so close to the surface that spasms are possible even after short-term exposure to frost.

For those with oily skin, the stratum corneum and sebum form a powerful defense, so it ages more slowly and withstands negative external influences more resistantly - from peelings to cold weather. But dry skin is protected from acne, blackheads, enlarged pores and other troubles that complicate life in youth.

The best moisturizing ingredients are glycerin, aloe vera and hyaluronic acid. © iStock

What to do for very dry skin

If the reasons are not related to health, we recommend listening to these tips:

moisturize your skin from the inside - maintain a drinking regime, drinking about 1.5 liters of water per day, at the rate of 30 ml per kilogram of weight;

remove alcohol-containing products from your cosmetic bag;

try to choose clothes from natural, smooth fabrics that do not irritate the skin (cotton and silk);

get tested for microelements and vitamin deficiencies in your body; you may be lacking vitamins A and E;

exclude an allergic reaction, it can be caused by household chemicals: washing powders, bleaches and disinfectants;

instead of alkaline cleansers, use delicate creamy textures;

If possible, install water filters.

If you decide to get rid of dryness, choose the right cosmetics for face and body care. Products with oils and lipid-replenishing components will suit you.

Dry skin care

Read and remember what you need to pay attention to when caring for dry skin.

The epidermis needs nutrition in the form of lipid-rich cream or oil.

Replace alkaline cleansing products with gentler ones.

Instead of cleansing gel, start using, for example, cleansing milk.

Make it a rule not to go to bed with makeup on your face - foundation left on overnight not only clogs your pores, but also dries out your skin.

In addition to hydration, dry skin needs nutrition. © iStock

Caring for dry body skin

Dry skin can occur in many different parts of the body.

If your scalp is itchy, itchy and flaky, it makes sense to consult a trichologist for advice.

Make it a rule to use hand cream at least twice a day: before going to bed and before going outside.

Regularly treat dry skin of the feet with fine-mesh pumice or a file, then lubricate with a cream containing urea and solid oils (shea, cocoa).

For cleansing, choose soft shower and bath gels, as well as syndets, oils, and products that do not contain aggressive surfactants.

Do not stand in the shower for a long time and try to wean yourself from too hot water, gradually reducing the degree day by day.

Moisturize your skin every time after water treatments. For dry skin, rich nourishing textures are most suitable: balm or cream.

Apply body cream/milk/balm while the skin is still slightly damp.

Precautions when caring for dry skin

If your skin type is dry, we recommend avoiding harsh scrubs, high concentrations of acids in care products, aggressive alkaline cleansing and alcohol-containing cosmetic products.

On the beach, use sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. Thin and dry skin burns faster. And do not forget that ultraviolet radiation provokes the formation of free radicals - the main enemies of youthful skin. Otherwise, you will subsequently have to fight not only dryness, but also wrinkles and age spots.

In the cold season, before going outside, apply nourishing cream to your face, protective cream to your hands, and don’t forget about a scarf and gloves.

Tools Overview

For face

For body

For arms and legs

Apply after washing your hands, and before going outside or doing household chores;

shea butter, niacinamide

Apply to clean feet twice daily or at night.

Apply as needed.

corn oil, rice oil, soybean oil, shea butter, passion flower oil, vitamin E, hazelnut proteins.

Now consolidate your knowledge by watching a short video.

Yulia Glinka, published October 16, 2018, 15:00

Dry skin is a genetically determined skin type that is characterized by the fact that it produces less sebum than normal and oily skin. Typically, dry skin is very thin, easily “wrinkles” from facial expressions, and the pores on it are almost invisible. If the above signs do not describe your skin, but you clearly feel dry, your skin is most likely simply dehydrated.

What if you have genetically oily or combination skin? Could this problem affect her? Yes. Dehydrated skin can be of any type.

Signs of dehydration:

- dryness and sensitivity at the same time

- oily shine and enlarged pores

- dull complexion

- uneven skin surface, “lumpy”
- inflammation “out of the blue”

Let's firstly figure out what “greasy shine” is and what is its cause.

The lipid barrier of our skin consists of 3 components. When one of them is disrupted, then, in simple words, “gaps” appear in the lipid layer, through which moisture begins to evaporate. And the skin, in order to avoid even greater losses, begins to retain moisture in the only way possible for it - by producing even more sebum.

Therefore, the way to truly solve the problem of skin dehydration is to completely restore its protective barrier.

Now we understand that:

1. The essence of skin dehydration is a violation of one of the components of the lipid barrier for one reason or another. The reasons can be very different - from internal changes in the body (stress, health problems) to external influences (daily routine, nutrition, changes in weather, seasons, dry indoor air, etc.).
2. An “oily” shine is a sign of dehydration, and it can happen to any skin type.

How to “save” your skin from dehydration? Different skin types require different measures:

Dry (by type) dehydrated (by condition) skin first of all needs to replenish the lack of its own sebum.

These should be products containing components such as: jojoba oil, squalane, lecithin, vegetable and beeswaxes, dense butters (shea, cocoa), lanolin. It is very good if the composition contains ceramides (the basis of our intercellular cement).
Also, it is important to support dry skin with the presence of moisturizing components, such as: hyaluronic acid, glycerin, aloe vera gel, various polysaccharides (for example, carrageenan). Sea buckthorn will be very good in the composition of the product - both oil and extract.
To cleanse dry skin during periods of dehydration, only soft cream products are suitable. Choose milk and cleansing creams and leave aside foams and gels for washing (by the way, they are not suitable for dry skin in principle).

In oily (by type) dehydrated (by condition) skin, the situation is different - there is a lot of own sebum, but often the two other components of the lipid barrier are missing.

Therefore, “saving” care should be light in texture, but at the same time highly moisturizing. It should not contain “heavy” oils (such as shea, cocoa) and waxes. It will be good if you find laurel, black cumin, borage, chaulmugra, tamanu or neem oils in the composition - they regulate excessive sebum production.
Also look for sulfur, zinc, extracts of oak bark, willow, cucumber, witch hazel, calendula, and sage. Hyaluronic acid, glycerin, carrageenan, lecithin, allantoin.
To cleanse oily skin during this period, light exfoliating agents (for example, with aha acids) will be good to avoid the accumulation of dead cells on the surface of the skin and to avoid the growth of bacteria during periods of increased sebum production. But avoid alcohol-containing cosmetics in any form - they will only dehydrate your skin even more!

A little secret to maintaining a good level of hydration for all skin types:

every 2-3 days in the morning, immediately after washing, apply a thick layer of a moisturizing mask to the skin for at least 20 minutes, then rinse and only then apply day cream and makeup!

What is the essence of proper skin hydration?

The top layer of skin (epidermis) is covered with a stratum corneum of dead scale cells. To prevent these dead cells from scattering from the surface of our skin, nature conceived a special “adhesion” between them - a certain substance that glues them together. It is precisely its correct chemical composition that is responsible for the smoothness, plasticity of our skin, and protects against moisture loss. It is this part that creams and other care products primarily act on.

I would like to say separately about such a product as thermal water . It is often used when faced with the problem of dry (and we already understand that dehydration) skin. Using this remedy will not help solve the problem - and the causes of dehydration show why. Otherwise, you could just lie in the bath longer.
Moreover, during the day so much dust and “dirt” from the surrounding air settles on the skin that when spraying the face with thermal water, ideal conditions are created for the growth of bacteria and the penetration of all contaminants into the deeper layers of the skin. This can only cause big problems in the form of irritation and allergic reactions.

What you should never do if oily shine appears:

— Buy ​​matting products.

— Switch to products for combination skin.

— Do a course of peelings to “renew” the skin (even on the advice of a cosmetologist!). This will give the exact opposite result - the protective layer of the skin will be destroyed even more. Very often, the cause of dehydration is incorrectly selected cosmetic care.

Editorial opinion may not reflect the views of the author.
In case of health problems, do not self-medicate, consult your doctor.

Do you like our texts? Join us on social networks to stay up to date with all the latest and most interesting things!

Do you like our texts? Join us on social networks to stay up to date with all the latest and most interesting things!

Subscribe to the newsletter for the latest news from the OrganicWoman editors

Creator of the natural cosmeceuticals brand Glinka cosmetic, developer of cosmetic formulations and author of the concept of individual cosmetics. “My experience in the field of skin care, its treatment, restoration and rejuvenation is more than 6 years. I came to this activity, one might say, forcedly - I...

Most girls and women are prone to dry skin on their face. It manifests itself in small peelings, an unpleasant tightness of the skin is felt, as if a thin invisible film covers the face. It's no secret that dry skin with insufficient care due to lack of hydration leads to premature aging and the appearance of wrinkles. Now this is not a problem! Any girl can help her skin with both home care using available products and cosmetic procedures.

Peculiarities

Dry skin is a type of skin characterized by increased dryness and lack of natural lubrication.. This type usually occurs in people of different ages, not only adults, but also teenagers. Signs of dry skin:

1. Small narrow pores;
2. Matte;
3. Lack of greasy shine and tendency to rashes;
4. Peeling.

Those with dry skin, as well as combination skin, are especially sensitive to wind and low temperatures; after washing with cold water and soap, tightness often appears. Spot redness is possible.

A cosmetologist can easily determine your skin type, but you can do this yourself: using a magnifying glass, examine the presence of flaking in dry dermis or oily sheen in oily skin. Depending on the results, you will know what type your skin is prone to. This can also be easily done with a napkin: blot your face with it and look at the result - if there is a very small amount of sebum left on the napkin, you have dry skin.

Dry skin is particularly sensitive! You need to choose your care more carefully and consult a cosmetologist to avoid allergic reactions.

Causes of dry skin:

1. Changes in the body with age;
2. Poorly selected care;
3. Heredity.

One of the factors affecting the condition of the skin may be an insufficient level of water balance, depending on food and fluid intake. To maintain this level, cosmetologists recommend drinking up to two liters of water per day.

A common cause of dry skin: incorrectly selected cosmetics or cosmetic procedures. The use of soaps, lotions containing alcohol, and exfoliating peels is strictly contraindicated. Enzyme peeling has a positive effect on the skin, which actively moisturizes the skin.

Dry skin most often becomes a sign of early aging of the skin. With insufficient care for dry skin, the dermis becomes covered with small expression wrinkles, which become deeper and more pronounced over time. Poor climatic conditions (wind, frost, etc.) dry out sensitive skin even more.

To moisturize your skin, you need to adjust your diet. Read more about how to moisturize your facial skin at home here.

Dry skin is often caused by an unbalanced diet, alcohol consumption, and diseases of the nervous system. Sometimes, in order to improve the condition of the skin, you should look for reasons inside the body, and not outside.

Accompanying illnesses

Dry skin may indicate physical changes in the body (aging, menopause) and signal developing painful conditions. The most common and well-known among them are:

1. Conditions in which one of the main symptoms is dehydration: intestinal infections accompanied by loss of fluid with nausea and diarrhea; long-term use of laxatives, serious burns in which loss of plasma occurs, dehydration due to lack of water, diabetic comas with an increase in glucose in the body;
2. Hypothyroidism (low amount of thyroid hormones in the blood);
3. Feverish conditions when the temperature rises are accompanied by increased dryness of the skin;
4. Dry skin becomes due to dermatitis and other skin diseases;
5. Intoxication with atropine-containing substances.

Dry skin can occur as we age due to inactive sebaceous glands. Over time, the skin loses its elasticity and needs more careful care.

To accurately diagnose dry skin, a detailed examination of the body under the supervision of specialists is recommended.

Approaches to care

Any skin requires special attention, especially skin prone to dryness. If you do not take care of it in time, a feeling of tightness will appear. Methods of care depend on the type and condition of the skin. This skin type needs both daily and professional care.

Daily care

Dry skin requires daily care to avoid flaking, wrinkles and age spots. It is best to use care products for dry skin from one line of the manufacturer.

It is most effective to cleanse the skin in the afternoon with soft milk with a moisturizing effect or nourishing cream. For the purpose of moisturizing, you can use oils that will not only preserve the natural balance of the skin, but also bring it back to normal.

Read about caring for very dry skin with Bepanthen derma here.

Don't overdo it with cosmetic oils to avoid clogging your pores.

Instead of milk, you can use various gels containing bisabolol. If the tap water is too hard, it is recommended to use pre-boiled water.

Every day the skin needs to be cleansed, toned and moisturized. In the evening, a nourishing or moisturizing cream is enough. The composition of such creams, as a rule, includes algae extracts, vitamins A and E. Night cream is applied several hours before bedtime so that it has time to be absorbed.

In the morning, after washing your face, you need to use a toner to maintain water balance and elasticity of the skin. IN The tonic should not contain alcohol, which will dry it out more. After toning, you need to apply a nourishing cream. It is advisable that it includes a sun protection factor. It can prevent the appearance of age spots.

You shouldn’t give up masks either, they will bring additional hydration.

Professional care

The main component of a skin moisturizer is hyaluronic acid. One of the professional methods of filling the skin with such acid is biorevitalization. Hyaluronic acid is injected into the skin with a syringe using a thin needle.

Ultrasonic facial cleansing will gently cleanse clogged pores.

Superficial peels gently exfoliate rough skin cells, evening out skin tone. Reduces tightness and dryness.

Daily care is very important to maintain skin condition, but don’t forget about visiting a cosmetologist. He will figure out the correct procedures.

Treatment approaches

Only a cosmetologist can not always help dry skin. Sometimes this can be done at home.

Treatment at home

You can try different ways to moisturize your skin at home. In the twenty-first century, there are many creams, tonics and masks. It is important to remember the steps of care so as not to make things worse: cleansing, toning and moisturizing.

Drink more water if your skin is dry to help maintain hydration. When washing, the water temperature should be at room temperature. Your cosmetics should not contain alcohol. Don't forget to use the cream morning and evening.

Skin oils will help keep your skin toned.

Oils A and E can be used in their pure form; among other things, it is recommended to add them to masks.

Don't give up fish oil. Folk masks can be made from herbs (chamomile), fruits and vegetables. For example, cucumber circles will moisturize the skin under the eyes and give it a fresh look.

A humidifier will also help keep your skin toned.

Masks

What effect should you expect from folk remedies and masks at home?

1. Hydration;
2. Smoothing out shallow wrinkles;
3. Restoring elasticity.

Homemade masks have a significant advantage: all the ingredients are natural and do not cause harm. The most popular products are: mustard mixed with vegetable oil, cottage cheese, cosmetic oils and pharmaceutical clay, herbs, mint and even oatmeal.

If you have fruits and vegetables left in the refrigerator, do not rush to eat them: cucumbers and apples will perfectly refresh your skin.

Do not overdo it. The skin can be over-nourished, and then an oily sheen will appear.

Moisturizing, nutrition, cleansing

Skin prone to dryness should be cleansed twice: morning and evening. When washing your face in the morning, it is advisable to use mild cleansers. For example: milk and cleansing oil.

If you want to use only natural products, cleanse your skin with milk, honey lotion and oatmeal.

Deep cleansing can be done with nut and coffee peeling.

Evening cleansing is very important. It washes away makeup and dirt accumulated during the day.

Nourishing dry skin is the foundation that will help maintain its tone. For nutrition you need creams with a fatty base and oils. It is advisable to apply the cream to a damp face. At home, you can make cream from yolk, rowan and various herbs. Cosmetologists advise using nourishing masks. They can be made from available materials: cottage cheese, clay, lemon and currants. You can read about which clay is suitable for dry skin in this material.

Skin hydration is no less important than nutrition. Dry skin suffers especially greatly from lack of moisture, especially during winter and summer.

To hydrate, you need to not only use masks, but also drink up to two liters of water a day.

It’s easy to make masks with aloe and orange at home. There are many products on store shelves that are designed solely to moisturize the skin.

Cosmetology procedures

Dry skin needs not only daily care, but also high-quality protection from the negative effects of sun rays and temperature changes.

The main methods of combating dry skin are provided by beauty salons.

1. Biorevitalization – saturating the skin with moisture using injections. After the first use, the face looks fresh and rested;
2. Peeling with glycolic acid. Gently scrubbing the epithelium rejuvenates the skin.
3. Mesotherapy – injection effect, administered in small doses under the skin.
4. Oxygen hardware peeling enriches the skin with oxygen.

Caring for dry skin should not be limited to cosmetic procedures.

Hardware procedures

Such procedures are recognized as useful and effective; they actively combat flaking and tightness.

1. Lifting restores tone and elasticity to dry skin;
2. Paraffin therapy is also popular. For this procedure, purified cosmetic paraffin is used. The procedure is recommended for dehydrated skin;
3. Microcurrent therapy solves the problem of dry skin; microcurrents affect the processes in which the skin withers.
4. Mesotherapy.

Before booking a procedure, consult with a cosmetologist.

Video

conclusions

We can conclude that those with dry skin should not worry. In the twenty-first century, various procedures are widely used in cosmetology to help retain moisture. Skin prone to dryness has both pros and cons. This type of skin has virtually no inflammation or oily sheen, and the skin has a matte tint. On the other hand, the downside is that the skin is susceptible to early aging and the appearance of wrinkles. Healthy sleep, proper nutrition and the correct selection of cosmetics for dry skin play a big role in maintaining skin in good condition.

Read about which powder for dry skin is best at this link.