Dry Skin 101:
1) Tell-tale signs of dry skin
- Your skin feels dry or tight right after a shower or through out the day
- You have small pores (it's an indication that you have dry skin)
- Flakiness or itchiness
2) Lack of oil
The natural oil that occurs on the skin protects itself from environmental damage and aging. However dry skin does not produce enough lipids (oil), which makes the skin vulnerable and sensitive. If you have dry skin, just know that you skin needs extra protection and care--so stay hydrate and moisture up!
2) Dry VS. Dehydrated skin
- Dry skin = lacks oil.
Dry skin is a skin type, which you've probably had since you were a baby. Dry skin may feel a little rough, tight, and itchy. Find rich creamy products without any fragrance to help hold in moisture, combat dryness, and minimize irritation/inflammation!
- Dehydrated skin = lacks water.
Dehydrated skin is a skin condition, which can be experienced by anyone and any skin type...yes even oily skin! Signs of dehydration is flakiness, thin, and dull looking skin. You can reverse the signs of dehydrated skin by looking at what you put in your mouth and on your skin. Avoiding or limiting caffeine, alcohol, over exfoliation, and the sun can make a difference. Hydrate your skin with ultra-hydrating moisturizers with serums like hyluoronic acid is also great for the skin, since it binds 1000x its weight in water. Also stay hydrated by making sure you drink plenty of water!
3) Genetics
Dry skin is often genetics. However your skin type can change with age.
4) Internal and external factors
- Medications
- Improper skin care regimen/habits
- Poor diet
- Allergies
- Products
- Change in climates
5) Moisturize, moisturize!
Winter changes, and your skin changes along. Find a moisturizer that is oil-based, as the oil will help your skin stay soft and smooth by retaining or increasing its H2O content; it also create a protective layer on the skin to help keep you skin moisturized, protected, and combat the dryness.
Tip: Moisturizing while your skin is still damp is key! Your skin shouldn't feel tight after cleansing or exfoliation, if it feels tight, you've taken too long to moisturize.
6) Be generous
I'm not just talking about your face, but your entire body! Cleaners, serums, moisturizers, and humectants can help combat dryness and dehydration.
7) Exfoliate
Not exfoliating and applying moisturizer and your skin will still look dry and dull. While exfoliating help your skin appear smooth and hydrated, by sloughing off the dead skin cells. Exfoliation also helps get rid of flakiness and help products penetrate better.
8) Shower
Hot or too long of a shower isn't good for any skin type, especially dry skin. I know this might seem like a joke! I know the crazy temptation of hot showers in winter (or after a terrible day), but hot or long showers actually robs the skin of it's naturally oil and moisture. For dry skin, this is a big no-no! Dry skin needs as much moisture as possible and hot showers is stripping away the little moisture it has. Keep your showers short and lukewarm can improve your dry skin tremendously.
9) Hyaluronic Acid
I love love love hyaluronic acid. It's made a huge difference to my skin, so much so that I use it every season and every day (sometimes night).
Don't like the work "acid" scare you, hyaluronic acid is want occurs naturally in the body to provide moisture, plumpness, and firmness to the skin. However, as we age, we our natural hyaluronic acid deteriorates. Adding a hyaluronic acid serum, filler, or moisturizer can help improve and hydrate your skin.
10) Switch up products
Products that you were using in the summer can stripe away your skin of its much needed oil during the winter, making your skin drier I tend to trade my foamy cleanser for a cream-based cleanser and add hydrating serums and moisturizer.
Happy Thanksgiving! XX
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