Skincare therapists so often get clients saying their skin is dry. But what is dry skin, and is it the same as dehydrated skin? And can you have both? Well in short, yes you can. Let’s look at the signs and what to do to improve each one.
What is dry skin?
In HEALTH AND SKINCARE / SOMATOLOGY / BEAUTY THERAPY / BEAUTY AND NAILS dry skin is one that is lacking in sebum (oil). Usually, dry skin is accompanied by dehydration as there are no natural oils to lock in the moisture in the epidermal layer, this can also lead to sensitivity.
Signs your skin is dry:
- Your entire body and face feel dry, you are constantly applying moisturizer, and, in most cases, it just never feels enough on the skin.
- You tend to choose moisturizers that are very thick, heavy, and oily.
- You have no natural sebum (oil) production in the skin.
- Your skin feels itchy and tight, especially after cleansing.
- Your skin looks dull and flaky, and the texture is rough.
- Your skin tends to feel a bit sensitive in some places.
What is the best treatment for dry skin?
In HEALTH AND SKINCARE / SOMATOLOGY / BEAUTY THERAPY / BEAUTY AND NAILS there are many options available, here are a few great tips to get your skin on the right track.
For the face:
- Use a moisturizer with antioxidants like vitamin C, to boost collagen production and protect the skin from environmental stressors.
- Add niacinamide to your routine, this potent B vitamin strengthens your skin barrier and helps regulate sebum production.
- Use serums that repair the barrier of the skin, and look out for ceramides in the ingredient listing.
- Don’t skip the sunscreen! Protecting your skin from damaging, inflammatory UV exposure will keep your skin less stressed.
- Drink omega 3, this oil helps to moisturize the skin and fight red, dry, or itchy skin. Omega 3 oils improve the skin barrier function, sealing in moisture and keeping out irritants. Omega 3 is also a great anti-inflammatory.
For body:
- Start with a good body exfoliating scrub to slough off dead cells.
- Keep your body cream in the shower and apply your body cream to damp skin as it helps to lock in moisture.
- Look out for nourishing creams that have ingredients like shea butter, almond, and coconut oil.
What is dehydrated skin?
In HEALTH AND SKINCARE / SOMATOLOGY / BEAUTY THERAPY / BEAUTY AND NAILS dehydrated skin is one that is lacking in water. Dehydrated skin can be found with any skin type.
Signs that your skin is dehydrated:
- Your skin can feel both oily and dry at the same time.
- Your skin tends to change texture based on your environment, the products you use, and your diet.
- You tend to break out occasionally and unexpectedly.
- Your skin is dull, congested, and flakes easily.
- Your skin feels tight, but you prefer very light moisturizers that absorb easily into the skin.
- If you are still not sure if your skin is dehydrated, try the pinch test: pinch your skin between two fingers. If it bounces back (meaning it lays flat again) right away, you’re hydrated. If it takes longer to fall, it’s likely you’re dehydrated. It’s worth noting that your skin doesn’t have to fall into the dry skin type to be dehydrated. Combination and oily skin types can also experience dehydration.
What is the best way to treat dehydrated skin?
- Drink plenty of water. You’ve heard it before your body is mostly water, so the skin suffers if you’re deficient.
- Eat a balanced diet with healthy fats like avocado, olive oil, salmon, and nuts, which are high in omega 3, to improve the overall health of your skin.
- Wash your face in warm/cool water. Hot water can dry out the skin by opening pores and allowing moisture to escape.
- Hydrate and moisturize your skin. Hyaluronic Acid Serum is a great ingredient for adding water to the skin, look out for ingredients like squalene in moisturizers which will lock the moisture into the skin.
- For the body, try a clinically proven emollient like colloidal oatmeal. Not only is it hydrating but it’s also anti-inflammatory.
To summarise, when we talk about having dry skin, what we are typically talking about is skin that doesn’t produce a lot of natural oils. But your skin can also be dehydrated, meaning it’s not getting enough water. It’s important to make sure you eat a well-balanced diet, drink enough water, and use products that can help draw water into the skin like hyaluronic acid, shea butter, and colloidal oatmeal.
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