Causes of dry skin

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

Signs of dry skin

The tendency to dryness is mostly genetic. Therefore, fundamental changes cannot be achieved here. But to make friends with your skin and improve its condition is quite real. The main thing is proper care and preventive measures.

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

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

Dry skin is often sensitive.

Do not confuse dry skin with dehydration, a temporary and easily remedied condition. Oily skin is also dehydrated. Moreover, from lack of moisture, it begins to produce more fat.

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

In order not to confuse anything, remember the signs of dry skin.

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

  • Dehydrated skin lacks water, dry skin lacks fat, which means that the first one needs hydrofixators (glycerin, hyaluronic acid), the second one needs moisture-locking or lipid-replenishing components (oil, ceramides).

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

Now take our test and find out which cream you need for daily care.

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Causes of dry skin

A common cause of pathological dry skin is atopic dermatitis. A dermatologist will tell you more about this disease. But with a feeling of discomfort and tightness, sometimes those who are not usually bothered by this problem also experience. What exactly makes the skin dry?

  1. Cleansers with aggressive surfactants in the composition destroy the hydrolipidic mantle of the skin.

  2. Your moisturizer isn’t rich enough for you, or your skin doesn’t have enough nourishment to keep moisture in.

  3. Severe weather conditions, such as heat with increased dryness of the air or frost combined with an icy wind, undermine the protective potential of the skin.

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

  5. 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.

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

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

  8. Certain hormone treatments or the use of retinoids cause severe dryness of the skin. You will have to wait until this side effect disappears, smoothing its manifestation with the help of cosmetics.

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What is the difference between dry skin and normal and oily skin?

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

In owners of oily skin, the stratum corneum and sebum form a powerful defense, so it ages more slowly and more resistant to negative external influences – from peeling to cold weather. But dry skin is insured against acne, blackheads, enlarged pores and other troubles that complicate life in youth.

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

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What to do with very dry skin

It happens that the condition of the skin causes serious concern: it turns red and feels pain even after contact with tap water, and not a single cosmetic product helps you from dryness and peeling. There is only one advice here – make an appointment with a dermatologist.

If the reasons are not related to health, we recommend that you listen to these tips:

  • moisturize the skin from the inside – follow the 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 the cosmetic bag;

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

  • take an analysis for a deficiency of trace elements and vitamins in the body, you may not have enough vitamins A and E;

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

  • use delicate cream textures instead of alkaline cleansers;

  • Install water filters if possible.

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

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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 a lipid-rich cream or oil.

  • Replace alkaline cleansing products with milder ones.

  • Instead of a gel cleanser, start using, for example, a cleansing milk.

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

In addition to hydration, dry skin needs nourishment.

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How to take care of dry skin

Dry skin occurs on various parts of the body.

  • If the scalp itches, itches and flakes, 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.

  • Treat dry skin of the feet regularly with a fine-meshed pumice stone or file, then lubricate with a cream containing urea and solid oils (shea butter, cocoa).

  • For cleansing, choose soft shower and bath gels, as well as synthetics, 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 procedures. For dry skin, rich nourishing textures are most suitable: balm or cream.

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

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Dry Skin Care Precautions

  • If your skin type is dry, we recommend that you refrain from harsh scrubs, high concentrations of acids in skin care products, aggressive alkaline cleansing, and cosmetic products containing alcohol.

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

  • In the cold season, before going out, apply a nourishing cream on your face, a protective cream on your hands, do not forget about a scarf and gloves.

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Funds overview

For face

Extraordinary Facial Oil “Luxury Nutrition”, L’Oréal Paris

The composition includes oils of clove, rosemary, chamomile, lavender. Use oil as the last step in your evening skincare routine, instead of or before cream.

Moisturizing cream for dry and very dry skin of the face and body, CeraVe

Apply Ceramide Cream twice daily to cleansed face and/or any part of the body.

Toleriane Sensitive Rich Cream with Prebiotic Formula, La Roche-Posay

Use in the morning and in the evening, after cleansing, a product based on La Roche-Posay thermal water in high concentration, niacinamide, shea butter.

Moisture Expert Day Cream for Sensitive Skin, L’Oréal Paris

After cleansing the skin, use a cream with glycerin and rice bran oil, avoiding the area around the eyes.

For body

Melting body milk, Garnier

Apply daily to the skin of the body with massaging movements. Moisturizing and comforting the skin of the body provide bifidocomplex and shea butter.

Soothing shower gel with protective properties Lipikar Gel Lavant, La Roche-Posay

Pour a small amount of Niacinamide onto a washcloth or into the palm of your hand and massage into damp skin.

For hands and feet

Intensive Repairing Hand Cream for Very Dry Skin, Garnier

Use as needed. For best results, we recommend applying the cream after every hand wash.

Revitalizing cream for dry skin of the feet, CeraVe

Softens the skin with ceramides, salicylic and lactic acids. Apply to clean feet twice daily or at night only.

Nourishing and regenerating hand cream Confort Crème Mains, Lancôme

Acacia honey as part of the formula provides the skin with comprehensive care and protection from aggressive environmental factors.

Now consolidate your knowledge by watching a short video.

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