Veggie Blog

The recipe for dry skin care

Dry skin should not be ignored. Dry skin can make the top layer of skin crack and gives it a rough, flaky appearance. Common causes of dry skin include a dry climate, hormonal changes, too much exfoliation and treatment for other skin disorders. Dryness can also simply be the nature of a person’s skin. Whatever the cause, dry skin care is very important (but not very difficult).

Choosing a moisturiser

Dry skin care starts with moisturisers, the most important tool against dry skin. Moisturisers generally fall into 2 categories based on the way they care for dry skin.

The first category includes moisturisers that care for dry skin by sealing moisture into the skin, e.g. Vaseline. These moisturisers are relatively inexpensive and easily available (even at grocery shops).

The second category includes moisturisers that work by drawing moisture from the environment and supplying it to the skin. This is a very effective method of dry skin care in humid conditions. Moisturisers that work this way are called humectants. For dry skin care, a non-greasy moisturiser is often more pleasant to use, and humectants fall into this category. Common humectant ingredients include propylene glycol, urea, glycerine and hyaluronic acid.

Daily dry skin care habits

Dry skin care is not just about using moisturisers but also about using them properly. The first step is to cleanse the skin before applying moisturiser. You can make your dry skin care even more effective by applying the moisturiser while the skin is still damp (after cleansing). Also, use soap-free products (especially on your face, neck and arms). Exfoliation helps dry skin by removing dead skin cells, but do not exfoliate too hard. Your dry skin care routine should also include sun protection. Avoid too much direct sun (simply by using an umbrella or hat) and apply a good sunscreen before going out. Many moisturisers provide sun protection too.

There are also natural products for dry skin care, i.e. skin care products that care for dry skin without synthetic chemicals. These products supply lipids to the skin, which helps it hold on to moisture. Another important point is the temperature of the water you use for showering or washing your face. Use warm water; water that is too hot can make dryness worse.

Dry skin care is also about being gentle with your skin. Avoid harsh detergents and alcohol-based cleansers. Also, after washing your face, do not rub it with a towel; just pat gently to soak up the water.

On the whole, dry skin care is easy for anyone who takes it seriously.