How to take care of dry skin

Dry Skin is very common and can develop at any age. Depending on the extent of dryness, skin can be tight and rough and/or prone to itching and redness. Skin becomes dry when it loses too much water or oil. Some people are more likely to have dry skin than others.  If you neglect dry skin for a long time, it can lead to fine lines and premature wrinkles. The main reasons for dryness are a lack of moisture and an impaired skin barrier function.

Dry Skin can be can occur due to a number of reasons:

• cleaning or scrubbing the skin too much
• using very hot baths or showers.
• Very frequent showering or bathing i.e. more than once a day.
• living in areas with cold, dry winters.
• using central heating.
• prolonged sun exposure.
• As we grow older, our skin becomes thinner and drier
• an overactive immune system and skin conditions such as eczema

How to combat dry skin?

Cleanse to gently remove dirt and dead cell build-ups from your skin and restore moisture levels. Cream based cleansers tend to work well for those with dry skin. Avoid foaming gels that leave the skin feeling dry and tight after use. You can also try a cleanser containing Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA) to provide additional hydration.Cleanse to gently remove dirt and dead cell build-ups from your skin and restore moisture levels. Cream based cleansers tend to work well for those with dry skin. Avoid foaming gels that leave the skin feeling dry and tight after use. You can also try a cleanser containing Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA) to provide additional hydration.

Serums can penetrate the deeper layers of skin to repair the skin. Hyaluronic acid is an example of a humectant agents which helps to attract water to skin from the environment due to their high affinity for water. This is a great active ingredient to add to your regime if you have a dry skin.  A hydrating serum can be applied before your moisturiser in the mornings and evenings. Vitamin E helps to neutralise free radicals and hydrates skin, and improve the appearance of visible skin ageing.

Exfoliate once or twice a week using an AHA to gently remove dead skin cells from the outer layer of the skin. The build-up of dead skin cells can leave the your complexion looking dull. AHAs also provide wonderful hydration and are suitable for those with dry and dehydrated skin.

Moisturisers maintain good hydration levels and help to strengthen the skin barrier to maintain skin health. The skin barrier serves as a gatekeeper for your skin to help keep moisture in and irritants out.  Try to use moisturisers that contain cholesterol, fatty acids and ceramides to strengthen your skin barrier and precent the lose of moisture. Glycerin is also a popular ingredient used in moisturisers. It attracts water to skin and smooths skin.

Use a nighttime moisturiser as they tend to be heavier and richer in texture and aim to restore, repair and regenerate the skin overnight. Therefore, they may contain additional active ingredients such as retinoids, alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), hyaluronic acid, peptides, ceramides and antioxidants

Sunscreens can protect you from harmful effects of UVB, UVA and HEV light. It’s enriched with skin conditioners and antioxidants to support healthy moisture levels and protect the skin from free radical damage.

Also don’t forget to include the right nutritional ingredients in your diet to strengthen your skin barrier including essential fatty acids and vitamin E.