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Why does the skin on the face peel off? It is unlikely that you are interested in the answer to this question out of pure curiosity. Most likely, you have encountered this unpleasant phenomenon and want to eliminate it by identifying the causes. Well, let’s try.
What you need to know about peeling skin
Here’s what the pros say:
Peeling indicates damage to the protective hydrolipidic mantle, increased evaporation of moisture from the skin surface. The structure of the stratum corneum is disturbed: corneocytes cannot exfoliate evenly and quickly from the total mass of cells.
Typically, desquamation is accompanied by a decrease in NMF, a natural moisturizing factor that consists of uric and lactic acids, amino acids, metal ions, and other components of the interstitial fluid. As well as the destruction of the hydrolipid layer and aquaporin proteins – water conductors. Ekaterina Turubara, Vichy medical expert
Are you sure your skin is not dehydrated? Check it out by answering our test questions.
The main causes of peeling on the face
Why does the skin on the face peel off? There are several answers.
dehydration
Peeling of the skin on the face can occur if you regularly spend a lot of time in rooms where the air is too dry (due to the operation of air conditioners or heaters), and neglect the proper cleansing and moisturizing care that skin of any type, including oily, needs.
In 20% of people, the skin is genetically predisposed to dehydration due to a reduced supply of water and glycerol from the dermis to the epidermis or insufficient synthesis of the protein filaggrin.
Improper care for combination and oily skin
With combination skin, dry areas on the cheekbones and in the corners of the mouth are adjacent to the oily T-zone and require separate care. Putting gel on them for oily problem skin is a bad idea.
In addition, if there are inflammatory elements on the skin and comedones (and adolescence is long gone), you should not use anti-pimple products designed for dense, youthful skin with a huge margin of safety. The effect can be reversed
“If a teenager can afford to apply “caustic” substances to his face, then the skin of an adult girl will immediately respond to such a “treatment” with peeling and stagnant spots in place of pimples. After 25 years of age, acne requires cleansers with low alcohol content and increased moisturizing ingredients. Ekaterina Turubara, Vichy medical expert.
The formation of scales signals a problem with the skin.
Sensitive, thin skin
It is typical for allergy sufferers with experience. As a rule, experienced people already know which cream helps them. But with age, closer to 50 years, the skin becomes drier and more capricious due to a drop in the level of female hormones. And if there is no active moisturizing care, it easily loses moisture, fades, peels off, and ages faster.
Frost
Dry cold climates are also not conducive to maintaining the required level of moisture in the skin, and extreme temperatures can be too severe a test for the hydro-lipid barrier.
Often, from the cold and wind, the skin flakes and turns red, and the hands themselves are drawn to the rich nourishing cream. But as recommended Ekaterina Turubara, “it is better to choose a product rich in texture, but moisturizing, because these symptoms are caused precisely by a lack of moisture.
The combination of moisturizing and nourishing ingredients in the cream can be considered optimal: hyaluronic acid and natural oils.
“Repurification”
If you wash with soap, then even the most oily and dense skin will begin to peel off. That is why one of the main rules of health and beauty is not to clean the skin “to a scratch” and use a tonic after washing. This is important for maintaining the pH of the skin and the integrity of its hydro-lipid mantle, which retains moisture.
Excessive peeling
Exfoliation is an important part of your beauty routine. But we are talking about dead cells of the stratum corneum. If you use the scrub more often than the manufacturer recommends, this is fraught with the destruction of the stratum corneum, and not its cleansing, and as a result, peeling.
Peelings for home use are considered softer than professional peels, but they also require careful attention and adherence to the manufacturer’s recommendations. Even the most gentle peeling can damage dehydrated and sensitive skin.
Hypovitaminosis
If the skin on the face is dry and flaky, this may indicate a lack of vitamins. To find out which one is in short supply, a blood test will help. It makes sense to take vitamins A, B, C, D, E, F orally and externally (as part of care products).
B vitamins are a key component of cosmetics for irritated, flaky, allergy-prone skin. Details here.
Decorative cosmetics with a dry texture
Using face products around the eyes
The skin in this area is vulnerable to everyone, without exception, due to the small number of sebaceous glands. It is very easy to dry it out and bring it to peeling using inappropriate creams and cleansers.
“One of the main causes of severe dryness on the eyelids is improper cleansing: there are lovers of washing off makeup with baby soap, shower gel, hand wipes lying around in a bag. The pH level and detergent base of such products are completely unsuitable for thin skin, and peeling of the eyelids is the most harmless of the consequences.
Dryness of both the cornea and eyelids can be caused by certain medications, especially those used without indications. Therefore, growing eyelashes with drops bought at a pharmacy is not a good idea.
Dry eyelids are often associated with inadequate care.
Allergies and other diseases
Allergies in any of its manifestations, from a skin reaction (dermatitis) to rhinitis and asthma, can develop at any age. When the cause of peeling on the skin is unclear, it is important to consult a doctor in time. In addition to allergies, skin peeling can also indicate some dermatological diseases, as well as be a symptom of internal changes.
What to do if the skin is peeling and tightening
So, we come to the main question: how to get rid of peeling on the face?
First of all, the cause of peeling should be identified and eliminated. If the problem is caused not by internal reasons, but by external ones, then it can be solved by making some adjustments to the care.
Use mild cleansers, you can look at the rulers for sensitive skin. Research conducted by Canadian dermatologists has proven that daily use of gentle cleansers and moisturizers helps to restore and maintain the optimal barrier function of flaky, dry skin. In particular, the combination of a ceramide cleanser and a salicylic acid cream has been particularly effective.
Wash your face with water at room temperature – hot water breaks the lipid barrier and aggravates the condition of dehydrated skin with peeling. Read about why water dries and does not moisturize, read here;
As exfoliating agents, instead of scrubs, use masks or gommages with a low content of acids or enzymes – they will help to remove keratinized scales without aggression;
Provide the most intense hydration, for example, with the help of serums.
Funds overview
Our selection contains products that help restore and maintain the hydrolipidic barrier, the violation of which is the main cause of dehydration, a feeling of tightness and peeling of the skin.
Purification
As you know, care begins with cleansing. When peeling, it should be especially delicate.
SA Softening cleansing gel for dry, rough and uneven skin, CeraVe
Provides gentle cleansing of the skin and gentle exfoliation of keratinized scales, the star trio is included in the composition: hyaluronic acid, ceramides and salicylic acid.
Lipikar Syndet AP+, La Roche-Posay Lipikar Syndet AP+ Lipikar Syndet AP+, La Roche-Posay
This product cleanses the skin so gently that it will not cause any complaints even in very dry and sensitive skin prone to irritation, itching and manifestations of atopy.
Hyaluronic aloe gel cleanser for all skin types, Garnier
We, fans of the eponymous skin care gel, were very pleased with the appearance of this foam cleanser, which perfectly copes with impurities and excess sebum, and at the same time acts so delicately that it is suitable even for sensitive skin.
Cleansing gel for the face, for dry and sensitive skin “Absolute tenderness. Rose + Jasmine, L’Oréal Paris
Rose and jasmine extracts are part of this all-around pleasurable cleanser that will help cleanse your skin with comfort and pleasure.
Serums
Intensive hydration can be safely entrusted to serums based on components that help saturate cells with moisture and strengthen the skin barrier.
Intensive soothing serum Toleriane Ultra Dermallergo, La Roche-Posay
This serum, addressed to very sensitive skin prone to reaction to external irritants, among other things, is remarkable in that it not only soothes the skin, but also has a beneficial effect on its ability to protect itself. Contains neurosensin, branded thermal water and osmolite + glycerin complex.
Daily gel-serum for skin exposed to aggressive external influences, Mineral 89, Vichy
The secret of this gel-like formula lies in the high concentration of mineralizing Vichy thermal water, which helps the skin maintain pH balance and strengthens its own defenses, while hyaluronic acid saturates with moisture. As a result, the skin becomes smooth, soft and radiant.
Hydrating B5 Intense Hydrating Soothing Serum, SkinCeuticals
Serum perfectly moisturizes the skin and helps it cope with dryness and dehydration. It contains hyaluronic acid, components of the natural moisturizing factor (NMF) (link) and vitamin B5, which play an important role in maintaining the protective functions of the skin.
Creams/emulsions/balms
When peeling, you immediately want to spread something fatter and thicker on yourself. However, cosmetologists recommend looking for lightweight formulas that combine moisturizing ingredients with skin-friendly oils and lipids to protect and retain moisture.
Triple action lipid replenishing balm Lipikar AP+M by La Roche-Posay
A balm designed for the care of atopic skin and taking care of its hydration, it successfully copes with dryness and the discomfort associated with it. The balm works great both on the skin of the body and on the skin of the face.
Moisturizing facial emulsion with SPF 20 Aqualia Thermal, Vichy
An example of a light protective and strengthening skin barrier product is an excellent option for daytime skin care in the warm season (including). In addition to sun protection and moisturizing ingredients, it contains niacinamide, vitamin E and ceramide to strengthen the skin’s protective barrier.
Moisturizer, CeraVe
The formula contains components both for moisturizing the skin and for strengthening the hydrolipidic barrier: hyaluronic acid and 3 ceramides.
Moisturizing Botanical Face Cream “Rose Water”, for dry and sensitive skin, Garnier
96% ingredients of natural origin. The cream moisturizes sensitive skin for 48 hours, protects and soothes it.
Night transforming cream-mask “Luxury food”, L’Oréal Paris
The rich texture will please the owners of very dry skin, the composition includes a cocktail of vegetable and essential oils, as well as royal jelly and imperial cylindrical extract for intensive nourishment and radiance of the skin.
How to get rid of the problem of peeling at the beautician
Competent care on a daily basis will help get rid of the problem of peeling. However, if you want to connect salon procedures, then you should pay attention to the following options.
ANA peeling – to help the skin get rid of scales, the beautician may recommend peeling with fruit acids, but only very mild, for example with lactic acid.
Non-injection mesotherapy is a painless way to saturate the cells with moisture.
Intensive beauty treatment – procedures based on the use of intensive professional preparations (serums, masks, preliminary preparation of the skin with peeling, etc.) give an excellent effect, especially if you complete the full course.
What else can you do at home?
How to prevent peeling skin on the face
How to prevent peeling: so that there are no surprises in the form of a rough surface, dullness and tightness, you should do this:
use products that address your skin type;
do not neglect the basic principles of care: cleanse and moisturize the skin twice a day, exfoliate – on average once a week, be guided by the type of skin and its condition;
do not use aggressive cleansers that can harm the protective mantle of the skin;
protect the skin from external aggressive factors: indoors from dry air, from wind, cold and sun outside (depending on the season);
do not deplete your diet of sources of vitamins, minerals, and saturated fatty acids;
do not dehydrate the body – consume enough water throughout the day;
get enough sleep: sleep is the only time when the skin can recover and reboot, get rid of unnecessary cells and replace them with new ones. 7-8 hours of sleep will be enough for her.