What you need to know to treat dry skin

52 people's dry skin improved with skin care

One study looked at 52 people with moderate to severe dry skin.
In this study, patients with dry skin were randomly selected and divided into two groups, one using moisturizers and one not, to examine the effectiveness of moisturizing cosmetics in improving dry skin.

After two weeks, the skin condition of the group that used the moisturizer twice a day was significantly improved in redness and the appearance of dryness. Over 80% of the patients also reported that the treatment reduced dryness and itchiness, and improved the texture of their skin.

Although small studies have shown that a daily skin care routine can help improve dry skin.

Causes of dry skin

When skin becomes dry, it shrinks and can become scaly, itchy and cracked, which can become painful and even bleed if left untreated.

Cracked or extremely dry skin means that the skin barrier is broken, making it easier for germs, bacteria, and other foreign substances to get into the body.

There are several causes of dry skin, but here are some of the most common:

• Dry air/changes in humidity
• hard water
• Genetics
• Washing your skin too much
• Exposure to irritants
• Diseases such as hypothyroidism and diabetes
• Bathing in hot water
• Using harsh soaps or cleansers

Inner care for dry skin

Dry skin can have internal causes as well as external ones. For example, dry, flaky skin and cracked lips can be caused by a lack of vitamin B.

If you want to improve dry skin from the inside of your body, it is recommended that you consciously take in vitamin B. For example, the following foods are rich in vitamin B.

• Bonito, tuna, salmon
• Pork tenderloin or breast fillet
• lever
• banana
• avocado
• Citrus fruits

Additionally, increasing your intake of omega-3s can also help with dry skin, so try including flaxseeds and walnuts in your diet.

Best skin care for dry skin

There are many causes of dry skin. However, anyone can practice daily skin care. However, there is no point in doing skin care haphazardly.
When caring for dry skin, be sure to keep the following five things in mind:

1. Be mindful of cleansing methods that don't damage the stratum corneum
2. Balance your skin's pH with an alcohol-free toner
3. Pinpoint care for skin concerns
4. Locks in moisture
5. Protects skin from UV rays

1. Cleansing

Cleansing, which removes everyday makeup and dirt, is particularly important in daily skin care. However, if the cleansing power is too strong, it will strip away the sebum necessary for the skin barrier. Therefore, it is recommended to choose cleansers that contain mild surfactants and vegetable oils as their main ingredients.

Also, it is better to use a facial cleanser that contains moisturizing ingredients such as hyaluronic acid . Incidentally, even though soap may seem gentle on the skin, it can still degrease the skin surprisingly well. If soap makes your skin dry, it may be a good idea to switch to a mildly acidic facial cleanser.

Examples of mild surfactants

• Isostearate laureth-◯ (◯ is a number)
• Glyceryl Stearate
• Polyglyceryl laurate - ◯ (◯ is a number)
• Polyglyceryl oleate - ◯ (◯ is a number)
• Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride

* PEG and PPG are also surfactants that are said to be less irritating, but they are not listed here because they do not meet the CONCIO standards .

Examples of vegetable oils

• Olive Fruit Oil
• Jojoba Seed Oil
• Argania spinosa kernel oil (argan oil)
• Avocado oil
• Macadamia Seed Oil
• Rice bran oil
• Almond oil

*However, people with nut allergies should avoid nut-based fats and oils, and people with food allergies should avoid allergens.

2. Hydrate with an alcohol-free lotion

If your skincare product contains high concentrations of alcohol (ethanol), it will dry out your skin. If you are concerned about dryness, it is better to choose ethanol-free skincare products.
It is also important to pay attention to the pH level of the skin in order to create a healthy skin barrier. A weak acidity is less likely to irritate dry skin and will help restore the skin barrier.

3. Pinpoint your skin concerns

In fact, applying too much moisturizer or makeup just because your skin is dry is not a good idea. Applying too much can take away your skin's natural strength and make it dependent on the product. If you have specific skin concerns such as wrinkles , blemishes, or acne , use products tailored to those skin concerns on pinpoint areas rather than applying them all over your face.

4. Locks in moisture

After applying your toner and spot treatment, apply a moisturizer to your entire face to lock in the effects. For dry skin, it's best to apply it twice a day, morning and night. Make sure it contains a non-comedogenic oil to avoid clogging your pores.

5. Protect your skin from UV rays

UV rays not only cause sunburn and wrinkles, but also dry skin. However, some sunscreen products can be harsh on the skin. When applying sunscreen, choose one that is gentle on the skin and easy to wash off.

And if you don't use sunscreen, don't forget to protect yourself from UV rays with a UV-blocking hat, sunglasses, or parasol.

Dry skin acne care

It may come as a surprise, but dry skin can also causeacne , but some acne treatments contain ingredients that can make your skin even drier.
When caring for acne on dry skin, it is also important to protect the skin's moisture without stripping it away.

• Avoid lotions, moisturizers, and sunscreens that contain a lot of oil (but you don't have to choose oil-free products)
• Use cosmetics that contain oils that are non-comedogenic (avoid oils with a high comedogenic index, such as coconut oil)
• Wash your face once a day
• Avoid peels that dry out your skin
• Avoid ingredients that dry out your skin, such as benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid.

Cosmetic ingredients that people with dry skin should avoid

The following things can irritate dry skin, so if you are concerned about dryness, it may be best to avoid them as much as possible.

• Retinol
• Glycolic acid
• Benzoyl peroxide
• Salicylic Acid
• Alcohol (ethanol)
• Fragrances
• Essential oils
• Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
• Sodium Laureth Sulfate

When dry skin is severe

Most dry skin cases can be managed with daily skin care. However, dry skin may also be caused by diseases such as atopic dermatitis or psoriasis. If your dry skin does not improve, you may have a skin disease. In such cases, you should consult a doctor.