This week's theme is all about dry skin - something we can probably all recognize this autumn, where the skin responds to the cooler weather change with dryness and dehydration.
When the skin does not form as much natural oil, the so-called sebum, it is classified as a dry skin type. The skin may also have dried out in other ways due to external factors such as wind, cold, frost or too much sun. In addition, skin can become dehydrated and depleted by incorrect treatment with too coarse and hard skin care products. Note that there is a difference between whether the skin is low in moisture or low in oil, and therefore the skin is divided into two categories, which are cared for in the same way: The dry skin type is usually very nice and problem-free by nature, but ages prematurely if not it is well cared for. If the dry feeling in the skin is due to temporary external influences, it should be cared for as if it were dry due to lack of production of sebum until it is in balance again. But then the care rituals that apply to the actual skin type must be followed again.
SKIN LOW IN MOISTURE
Cells and tissues lack fluid, which is why the skin is dehydrated and lacks moisture. Low levels of skin hydration can be due to over-treatment or incorrect treatment with too strong, oil-stripping products. Such products can wash the water-binding molecules out of the skin and / or remove the skin's natural protective "acid mantle", which i.a. aims to prevent moisture evaporation from the surface of the skin. Low-moisture skin is often dry in the deeper levels, but can cheat by appearing soft and well-oiled on the surface.
SKIN LOW IN OIL
The sebum production here is low by nature, which is why there is a lack of oil and natural lubrication from the inside, which creates a dry and low-fat skin that is often rough or scaly on the surface. At the same time, oily skin quickly becomes dehydrated, as it easily loses its natural moisture by not having the necessary sebum to prevent moisture evaporation.
Characteristics of dry skin:
- Tendency to small lines and wrinkles around mouth and eyes
- Thin skin
- Matte and almost parchment-like
- If a cream is not applied after a bath, it will immediately feel tight
- Refined structure
- Small / invisible pores
- Often dehydrated
- Often encapsulated comedones
- Sensitive to cold wind and weather
- Sensitive to hot water
- Often missing vitality and glow
Treatment focus of dry skin:
- Cleanse and exfoliate the epidermis with gentle products such as oil, balm or honey.
- Stimulate blood circulation and oxygenate the tissue with massage
- Nourish and rebuild the skin barrier with ingredients such as shea butter.
- Protect against moisture loss
Skin care for dry skin
Dry skin needs oliy and liquid cleansing products that do not wash the natural moisture out of the skin or destroy the protective barrier on the surface of the skin, also called the acid mantle. Try a cleansing with oil or balm, which is massaged into moist skin and cleaned off with a damp and soft washcloth. You can read our blog how to use our facebalm HERE.
Replace the traditional skintonic with a mist in the form of e.g. herbal teas or hydrolates which completes the cleansing by disinfecting and contracting the pores. Choose nourishing facebalms such as our Facebalm 01 or Facebalm co-lab and add a serum for anti-aging care such as inca inchi oil or sea buckthorn.
On the other hand, avoid petrochemical / mineral oils that can act as addictive fats on the skin and thus - in the long run - can make the skin drier.
Dry skin has a slow cell turnover, which is why exfoliation is particularly beneficial. Therefore, exfoliate twice a week to remove the dead skin cells and stimulate the skin's cell rhythm and the formation of new skin cells. Honey is our favorite enzymatic exfoliator.
Moisturizing masks of aloe vera, hyaluronic acid, honey or shea butter provide an extra boost of moisture and nourishment.
Internal skin care for dry skin
Boost skin hydration internally with omega-3, -6, -7 and -9 which nourish the skin from within. Also, choose a fish oil that has been tested free of heavy metals and with a low TOTOX value (rancidity value) - and/or organic and cold-pressed oils from sea buckthorn, evening primrose, hemp oil, olives, flaxseed and avocado. Aim to get approx. 20g fat for each meal.
Drink at least one and a half liters of water, vegetable juice or herbal tea a day to create a stable fluid balance. Herbal teas such as green tea, marigold, nettle, linden flower, golden rice, licorice root and rooibos are particularly great for dry skin.
Avoid on dry skin:
- Very hot water and long baths
- Traditional / oil-stripping skintonic
- Petrochemical oils (mineral oil and petroleum jelly)
- Intake of diuretic coffee / black tea
- Harsh peels
- AHA (can be used in mild form)
- Salicylic acid
- Soaps
- Alcohol
- Perfume
- Vitamin A acid
We hope this guide will get you through the fall and winter with supple, delicious and moisture-saturated skin.
