You diligently apply your hydrating SPF in the morning and pamper yourself nightly with moisturiser before bed, yet your skin continues to rebel, showcasing roughness, dryness, and an uncomfortable tightness. If you're caught in this cycle, there might be more at play beneath the surface of your skin barrier. Let's explore the reasons why your skin remains dry despite your moisturising efforts and discover the solutions for achieving the radiant, dewy complexion you crave.
Understanding Dry Skin: More Than Just Moisturising
The 7 Symptoms of Dry Skin
Dry skin is more than just a surface issue; it occurs when your skin fails to retain sufficient moisture at a cellular level. Recognising the symptoms can help pinpoint whether dry skin is the culprit or if an underlying condition like contact dermatitis or eczema is to blame. Look out for:
Tight skin
Flakiness
Rough texture
Cracks
Itchiness
Peeling
Increased fine lines
The 7 Primary Causes of Dry Skin
While moisturising is crucial for healthy skin, not all moisturisers are created equal, and neither is everyone's skin. Let's delve into seven common causes of persistent dry skin, even with regular moisturisation:
1. Neglecting Regular Exfoliation
Daily, your body sheds approximately five billion skin cells. Regular exfoliation is essential to aid this natural process. Consider two common methods:
Physical Exfoliation: Involves scrubs with gritty materials (sugar, coffee, oatmeal) or at-home tools (washcloths, brushes).
Chemical Exfoliation: Uses chemicals like salicylic or glycolic acid to dissolve dead skin cells.
We recommend a gentle facial cleanser that serves as a 3-in-1 cleanser, toner, and exfoliator for daily use.
2. Using Abrasive Cleansers
Opt for gentle cleansers, avoiding harsh ingredients like isopropyl alcohol and sulfates. These can disrupt your skin barrier and worsen dryness.
3. Drinking Too Little Water
Adequate hydration is crucial for skin health. Women typically need around 6 to 8 cups or glasses of fluid a day. Water, lower-fat milk and sugar-free drinks, including tea. Hydration benefits extend beyond skin health to include nutrient transport, organ protection, and temperature regulation.
4. Living in Harsh Climates
Environmental factors matter. Harsh, low-humidity environments can strip your skin of moisture. As we enter those cold winter months, with the extremes of cold, harsh outdoors and overly heated indoors, this can be a skincare minefield to navigate. Incorporate a daily night cream to nourish and repair your skin. Also perhaps consider a light day moisturiser for at work if you are forced to sit in a heated office all day.
5. Inheriting Genetic Factors
Genetics influence sebum production, affecting skin hydration. Counter genetic predispositions by using dual moisturisers—a hydrating SPF in the morning and a moisturising cream at night.
6. Using the Wrong Moisturisers
Finding the right moisturiser for your unique skin profile is crucial. Complex or combination skin can be tricky to cater for and a generic moisturiser may exacerbate your problem areas. Opt for formulations curated for your skin's needs.
7. Over-washing Your Skin
Sebum produced by sebaceous glands protects your skin. Over-washing can strip away this natural moisturiser. It can be all too tempting to wash with overly warm water but try to not let it get too hot. Consider reducing cleansing to once a day and opt for a gentle cleanser before bed.
8. Not Incorporating an SPF
Ensure your morning moisturiser or routine includes an SPF of 30 or higher to protect your skin from UV rays and maintain hydration throughout the day. Very easily overlooked during winter, the colder temperatures tricking us into believing the sun isn't as harsh as the summer sun, but UV rays during winter are just as pronounced.
Tips for Keeping Your Skin Hydrated
If dry skin has already set in, fret not. Incorporate these easy tips into your routine for smoother, hydrated skin:
Close the door while showering to retain moisture in the room.
Use warm water, not hot, when cleansing your face.
Gently blot your face with a towel after cleansing to avoid the towel acting as a loofah!
Apply nighttime moisturiser immediately after showering to lock in residual moisture.
Opt for fragrance-free products to avoid harsh chemicals that expedite dryness.
By addressing these potential causes and implementing these tips, you can break free from the shackles of dry skin, revealing a luminous, well-hydrated complexion. Embrace the journey to healthier, more radiant skin in just a few simple steps.
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