Dry, dehydrated skin is described as being flaky, scaling, or dull-looking skin. It may crinkle when pushed or depressed with a finger. Symptoms of dry skin may be itchy, irritated, sensitive, sore, red, inflamed, cracked skin and /or a feeling of tightness after coming in contact with water.
What Causes Dry Skin?
There are several causes which contribute to dry, dehydrated skin. It may be one core cause or a combination of any of the following:
Lower sebum production – After puberty and with age, sebum production lowers in the skin leading to dry, dehydrated, or unbalanced skin with dry patches. Sebum keeps the skin lubricated, hydrated and protected.
Ageing skin – As skin ages, it thins, loses moisture due to trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL), and becomes more dry and dehydrated. This is a normal process, however, may be accelerated or intensified due to UV damage, biological factors such as genetic and or mechanical ageing such as a result of continually repeated muscle movements, i.e. frowning, squinting, smiling which can result in the eventual formation of wrinkles.
Dehydration – Not consuming enough water, poor nutrition choices, poor personal hygiene, excessive stress or lack of regular sleep/insomnia, could all contribute to dehydrated skin.
Damage or removal of lipid layer from skin - The lipids that form the skin’s barrier can be removed/damaged by the use of harsh chemicals. This creates ‘gaps’ in the skin’s barrier and allows water to escape from the epidermis (trans-epidermal water loss, also known as TEWL), resulting in the skin become becoming dry and dehydrated.
Overexposure to elements or drying conditions – such as air-conditioning, indoor heating, hot and long showers; or outdoor elements such as low-humidity conditions, high winds, winter, etc.
Overuse of chemicals/synthetics – these strips the skin by removing natural oils, fats and nutrients which protect and keep skin hydrated. Dryness may occur as a result of sensitivity, allergy or irritation to synthetic ingredients (s) such as artificial fragrances, dyes or detergents. Overuse of cosmetics - which form an occlusive layer on the epidermis and don’t allow the skin to breathe and have exposure to oxygen. Petroleum-based ingredients and mineral oil are examples.
Skincare Solutions for Dry Skin
Some solutions for dry, dehydrated skin are listed below.
Try to incorporate as many of the following as possible, to relieve, heal and balance dry skin conditions
Lifestyle Solutions Remember: Before you make any lifestyle changes, please seek advice from recognized professionals.
Drink plenty of water – Aim for 8-10 glasses daily, more if you drink plenty of caffeinated beverages as caffeine dehydrates the body.
Avoid long, hot showers - Hot water strips oils from the skin faster than warm water. Do not take long showers or baths; it actually dries out your skin. So, limit yourself to a single 5- or 10-minute warm shower or bath a day.
Eat a balanced diet - with plenty of omega (fatty acid) rich food choices. Essential fatty acids can help protect the skin’s natural oil-retaining barriers. Foods rich in fatty acids include seeds, nuts, avocados, vegetable and plant oils, nut or seed butters, and cold-water fish (salmon, halibut, for example). The diet is often overlooked consideration for the cause of dry skin; however, our diet directly impacts the health and nutrition of our skin and other body organs.
Plug in a humidifier – in the home, if living in a dry climate. The added humidity in the air will help keep skin hydrated during winter months when indoor air is dry, or year-round if living in an arid climate.
Wear cotton and other natural fibres - synthetics, wool or other fabrics can be scratchy and irritating for sensitive, dry skin types.
Use Skincare products which can provide hydration, moisturization and protection like -
Use a gentle, natural-based cleanser - Instead of harsh cleansers, go for unscented, mild cleansers with natural hydrating and soothing ingredients. Look for plant butters or oils for extra hydration, while colloidal oatmeal or calendula work well for sensitive, irritated or itchy dry skin.
Moisturize with Emollients, ideally, while skin is still moist - Pat your skin with a towel after you shower or wash your face or hands, leaving skin damp. Apply emollient-rich moisturizers (body cream, lotion or oil) while skin is still dampened to lock in hydration. Shea butter, avocado oil and hemp seed oil offer emollient qualities.
Protect with an Occlusive – To prevent trans-epidermal water loss, or moisture escaping from skin, an occlusive ingredient, for example, Meadowfoam oil is effective.
Use a Sunscreen - It is also best to use a broad-spectrum sunscreen daily, to protect from the damaging effects of ultraviolet sunlight.
Hydrate with Humectants – which pull moisture from the surrounding environment into skin cells to keep skin hydrated. Panthenol, Sodium Lactate, and Olive Squalane are examples of humectants.
Problems, Ingredients and Function
Problem - Flaking, scaling, peeling, Cracking and Skin appears and feels rough Solution - Moisturize, hydrate, smooth skin Functions and Ingredients - Emollient (smooth and soften skin) - Butters, e.g. Shea, Mango, Cocoa, Carrier Oils, e.g. Camellia, Coconut, Jojoba, Soybean, Hemp Seed, Olive, Safflower, Sesame Oils. Essential Oils, e.g. Sandalwood, Palmarosa Humectant (attract water and bind it to the skin) - Glycerin Hyaluronic Acid Sodium Lactate Panthenol (pro-vitamin B5) Olive Squalane Occlusive (form a barrier on the skin to protect skin from trans-epidermal water loss) - Butters, e.g. Shea, Mango, Cocoa Waxes, e.g. Beeswax, Jojoba Carrier Oils, e.g. Jojoba Hydrating - Natural Moisturizing Factors (NMFs): Sodium PCA, Ceramides, Hyaluronic Acid, Urea, Linoleic Acid, Glycerin Water Hydrosols Cytophalactic - Frankincense Essential Oil
Problem - Trans Epidermal Water Loss (TEWL) Solution - Maintain moisture levels in the skin and Prevent moisture from escaping Functions and Ingredients – Maintain skin's moisture levels - Natural Moisturizing Factors (NMFs): Sodium PCA, Ceramides, Hyaluronic Acid, Urea, Linoleic Acid, Glycerin Occlusive - Butters, e.g. Shea, Mango, Cocoa Waxes, e.g. Beeswax, Jojoba Carrier oils, e.g. Jojoba Film-forming - Hydrolyzed Proteins, e.g. Hydrolyzed wheat protein
Problem - Itching/redness Solution - Soothe, moisturize, reduce inflammation Function and Ingredients – Emollient - Butters, e.g. Shea, Mango, Cocoa Carrier Oils, e.g. Camellia, Coconut, Jojoba, Soybean, Hemp seed, Olive, Safflower, Sesam Anti-inflammatory - Anti-inflammatory carrier oils and botanical extracts, e.g. Green tea extract, Aloe vera, Pomegranate oil/ extract, Chamomile essential oil. Soothing - Soothing vegetable oils/ botanical extracts, e.g. Cucumber extract, Aloe vera, Calendula oil/ extract, Sea lettuce, Phyllanthus
Facial Serum for Dry Skin
A DIY facial serum you can create for your skin (dry skin) which can offer a solution that contains emollients, occlusive and humectants by selecting suitable ingredients.
Carrier Oils: Avocado, hemp seed, meadowfoam, olive squalene
Essential Oils: Palmarosa, Ylang-Ylang, Lavender
Botanical extracts: Sea buckthorn extract
Avocado Oil (30 gms) - It deeply penetrates and extremely moisturizing, and easily absorbed by the skin. It provides intense, lasting moisturizing and nourishment, infusing skin with vitamins A, D and E.
Hemp seed oil (27 gms) - It promotes healing, softens and calms dehydrated, irritated and itchy skin. It is rich in vitamins, omega fatty acids and proteins which penetrates deeply to nourish and improve the skins barrier function.
Meadowfoam Oil (20 gms) - It is rich in fatty acids, deeply moisturizing and emollient; meadowfoam is a heavier oil which absorbs into the skin really fast. It forms a protective layer on the skin with non-greasy-feeling, which effectively shields skin from the winter elements. It also hydrates, heals and delays the signs of ageing related to dehydration and outdoor elements.
Olive squalene (20 gms) - It is very lightweight and quickly absorbed, so it balances the heavier oils in this serum. It offers humectant, emollient and softening benefits while boosting cell regeneration and encouraging a glowing complexion.
Ylang-Ylang balances sebum production. As dry skin has lowered sebum production Ylang-Ylang is a good choice as it will stimulate sebum production in this skin type.
Lavender stimulates skin cell regeneration and healthy skin growth while calming irritated, sensitive and chapped areas.
Sea Buckthorn Oil (1 gm) – It regenerates, repairs and retains moisture while reducing trans-epidermal water loss. It works particularly well for sensitive, irritated, cracked dry skin, as it offers anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and potent healing qualities.
Vitamin E (1gm) - Antioxidant
The above-provided information is purely based on my own research and study through different sources and hope this is a useful resource for you!
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