It seems most of us will suffer from dry skin at some point in our lives.
But what are the dry skin causes, and what can we do about it?
Here we take a closer look at the skin’s dynamics to better understand the reasons for dryness and irritation and find effective solutions to keeping it healthy, balanced and looking its radiant best :
Dry Skin Causes :
• An inherited tendency to under-active sebaceous glands( glands in the skin that secrete an oily or waxy matter, called sebum, to lubricate and waterproof the skin and hair of mammals. )
• Skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis
• Too much sun exposure
• Excessive alcohol consumption
• Certain medication
• The ageing process
• External aggression such as exposure to harsh chemicals or climate conditions.
Some tips while treating Dry Skin :
1) Use moisturizer effectively :
• Moisturizing little and often upto 3-4 times a day is a more effective way to help dry skin than putting on a lot of moisturizer once a day. It’s particularly beneficial to moisturize just after a shower or bath when the skin is damp, so that you lock in moisture.
• Don’t over-moisturize, though skin can become ‘lazy’ and not produce enough of its own oils if you apply moisturizer to areas that don’t need it.
2) Choose your moisturizer ingredients carefully :
• The skin's primary lipid components include free fatty acids such as linoleic acid (omega 6) and alpha-linolenic acid (omega 3) and one or both of these are found abundantly in certain plant oils like Olive, Sunflower, Pomegranate, Sea buckthorn
Research proves that these plant extracts are highly effective natural dry skin remedies. We use them across our range of moisturizers for dry skin.
• In contrast, petroleum or mineral oil offers no kinship with the skin and no nutritional properties. Moisturizers full of synthetic ingredients only mask the problem, rather than help repair it for good.
• Remember also that oil is not part of the skin's natural moisturizing factor. While oils (and balms) should provide valuable skin nutrients and conserve existing moisture in the skin, helping to lock it in and slow down evaporation from the skin's surface, only plant waters and juices provide added moisture.
3) Cleanse to promote cell renewal, but only exfoliate gently:
• Cleansing helps to get rid of dry dead skin cells and promote renewal of cells that can hold moisture more effectively. Exfoliation removes dead skin cells to a higher degree and should be done carefully or not at all on very sensitive skin to avoid leaving the skin open to attack from cold air and toxins. On your face, consider using a cleanser for dry skin or cleansing balm, they work very well on makeup and slide impurities off without dragging the skin.
4) Don’t get into hot water:
• When bathing, showering or washing your hands, avoid very hot water, even if it does feel glorious on a cold day. Hot water can damage your skin and leave it feeling dry. Limit your time bathing to a maximum of 15 minutes and keep the water warm, rather than hot. After you towel dry (gently pat dry) apply moisturizer as soon as possible.
5) Be aware of pH balance:
• Protecting your skin’s ‘acid mantle’ – the watery part of a film that covers your skin is crucial in understanding how to stop dry skin.The acid mantle is so called because it is slightly acidic (at pH 4.75 – 5.75 depending on age, sex and where the skin is on the body). But many skin care products and particularly detergents e.g. shampoos and shower gel are actually alkaline and can upset your skin’s pH. So look out for a pH balanced shampoo and body wash - 5.5 is commonly used as the best all-round value.
6) Avoid irritants:
• From harsh chemicals to rough clothes to cleaning products – irritants can make us itchy which just makes dry skin worse. Damaging the skin through scratching leaves it more prone to moisture loss, dehydration as well as toxins and allergens.
• Irritants can also be found in your clothes, depending on what you wash your clothes with and depending on what fabrics you are wearing. The most common culprits are wool, polyester and nylon.
7) Drink and eat well:
• Regular fluid intake is another important home remedy to help skin looking healthy from the inside. Drinking regularly (water or herbal tea) throughout the day is better for absorption of fluid in the body than taking a lot in one go.
• Foods that are beneficial for dry skin include fish, pulses and nuts because they are rich in the fats and oils that occur naturally in the skin. Flaxseed oil in particular has shown promise in the treatment and prevention of dry skin by improving the skin barrier function and increasing hydration.
• If your skin is very dry all the time, it may be worth consulting a nutritionist or use supplements as they provide a rich and readily available source of skin nutrients to correct dietary imbalance.