I’ve had dry skin for the last few years and though I had tried everything the relief wouldn’t last long. I found I was applying lotions and using scrubs which i later found out may have made my situation worse. There’s a difference between dry skin and dehydrated skin, and I had no idea there was a difference. Making the correct diagnosis is the first step to solving this issue so Let’s take a look at the differences and the best ingredients and skin care routines for dry skin. I found an amazing website provenskincare.com, and found some great information for dry skin sufferers. Let’s get into it.
Differences Between Dry Skin & Dehydrated Skin
The difference between dry skin and dehydrated skin is that dry skin is something that you may deal with your whole life, dehydrated skin often passes. Dry skin is a condition caused by low levels of oil, also called sebum, and can occur daily as a result of a chemistry imbalance in your body.
Dehydrated skin often lacks water and you’re most likely losing this water through a process called trans epidermal water loss ( TEWL ) due to an impaired skin barrier. This is often aggravated by weather, stress, harsh cleansers, acids, and exfoliants that may break down the barrier of your skin.
According to the site above the best way to test if your skin is dry or temporarily dehydrated is to wash your face with a foaming cleanser then pat dry. Do not add any other products to your face for an hour. If your face feels dry and tight and you have no oil, you have dry skin. On the other hand, if your face is oily but still feels dry and tight your skin is dehydrated.
Best Skin Care For Dehydrated Skin
Your skin may be oily and dehydrated at the same time. For dehydrated skin its important to build up the skins’ barrier. A great ingredient for this is hylauronic acid because it attracts water to your skin and then using a ceramide acts as a glue to help seal in that moisture.
Whether your skin is dry or dehydrated you may have flaky patches and these can be aggravated by cold or hot weather and low humidity which can deplete the skins’ natural barrier. Even the most intensive skin care routines can leave us with that dry tight feeling to our skin. According to a study by Proctor & Gamble more than half the population falls into the category of dry skin, also commonly referred to as sensitive skin.
Best Skin Care For Dry Skin
If you have dry skin, you have a lack of natural oils in your skin and you need to supplement by adding a moisturizer high in oils to replenish the moisture to your skin. One of the best oils to add to your skin care routine is Squalene because its chemical structure is similar to sebum. The best moisturizer for dry skin should contain Squalene and the texture should feel a bit heavier and oilier than other moisturizers.
Top Ingredients For Dry, Sensitive, Dehydrated Skin
Here’s a list of the best ingredients for relief of dry ,itchy,and uncomfortable skin. These are great whether you have dry skin or dehydrated sensitive skin:
- Ceramides – Ceramides are comprised of lipids (fat molecules) which form a protective barrier on the surface of the skin. This helps dry skin to retain water, making it best for dehydrated skin.
- Hylauronic Acid – Hylauronic Acid is a humectant meaning it draws water and it is naturally produced in the human body. The best moisturizers contain hylauronic acid to draw moisture back into the skin plumping up dry and dehydrated skin.
- Mandelic Acid – Mandelic Acid is an alpha-hydroxy acid derived from bitter almonds. Mandelic Acid is a great ingredient to add to your skin care routine for dry skin due to its ability to gently exfoliate without irritation.
- Shea Butter – Shea Butter is a natural remedy derived from the nut of the African Shea Tree. It can soothe and smooth dry skin from the natural fats in the nut. It forms a natural protective barrier and has been used for hundreds of years to relieve the discomfort of dry skin. Its best used for dry skin not dehydrated skin.
- Beta – Glucans – Beta – Glucans are sugars found in oats, yeasts, and mushrooms and various plants. In a skincare routine, products with Beta-Glucans can help to soothe dry irritated skin with their anti-inflammatory properties. This is a great choice whether you have dry or dehydrated skin.
Habits That Can Heal Dry Skin
The ingredients above are so important to help combat dry skin but there are lifestyle tips that can help in your daily routine to help heal dry skin:
- Shower – While a nice hot shower is soothing in the colder months, a bath or shower that is too hot can actually strip the skin of its natural oils. Reducing the temperature to warm and making sure not to take a shower or bath that is too long will help with dry skin. Another tip is to close the bathroom door to create a humid environment.
- After your shower – Pat dry your skin instead of aggressively toweling off. Leaving your skin a bit damp will create the perfect base for applying moisturizer locking in moisture.
- Skin Care Routine – Cleanse with a gentle cleanser look for cermaides vs, a harsh exfoliating cleanser. Reduce the number of times you clean your skin. Focus on finding the best moisturizer that not only moisturizes but that also will help to form a protective barrier to your skin. Another key tip, use a daily SPF even during the winter months. Sun directly affects the moisture levels in our skin. Exposing skin to UV rays depletes skin of moisture.
- Diet – Diet is so important for the health of your skin. Making sure to get adequate hydration during the day as well as a diet high in Omega-3 fatty acids and healthy fruits and vegetables will help your skin to stay beautiful and supple. Also, stay away from too many processed and high sugar foods.
- Environment – During the winter if you have the heat turned up it can dry out the air and dry out our skin. Using a humidifier can help keep the moisture in the air and skin. When going outside cover up as much as possible. Exposure to dry cold air and wind further removes moisture from our skin and can break down our protective barrier.
Conclusion
Combating dry skin may seem as easy as just applying more moisturizer but its far more complex. You need the correct diagnosis. Once you have the correct diagnosis you need to look at triggers in your environment as well as age, diet, genetics and products used on your skin. When looking at these factors there is one thing that stands out, we are all different.
While many people suffer from dry skin the causes aren’t always the same. The best thing you can do is get a customized skin care routine. A personalized skin care routine will take all your personal needs into account providing an ongoing evolving solution. I would like to credit the website provenskincare.com for the information and allowing me to share it with my readers. Check them out for all your skin care needs and be sure to use the link above for your personal skin care routine.
