Skin Type: Dry Skin

How to recognize dry skin

Does your skin feel dry and rough, is it uncomfortable and maybe even flaky? Then you probably have dry skin.

Dry skin usually appears somewhat dull or dull and tends to redden. Do you apply make-up and then discover a lot of small scales that are additionally emphasized by the make-up? This is also a sign of dry skin. Dry skin is particularly sensitive to external environmental influences such as wind, heat or cold because the natural protective barrier is missing. Especially in winter, the skin condition can worsen due to cold and dry heating air. But even in summer, heat and UV radiation can easily put a strain on dry skin. Redness, inflammation or irritation are more common.

Digression: dry skin vs. dehydrated skin

Important to understand: There is a difference between dry and dehydrated, i.e. dehydrated skin. This is because dry skin lacks extra sebum, while dehydrated skin lacks moisture, i.e. water. While dry skin tends to be genetic, dehydration is a skin condition. This can affect any skin type and is often caused by external influences. Dehydration occurs when the skin cannot retain moisture properly and the water from the top layer of skin evaporates.

The so-called transepidermal water loss is then too high. This can happen, for example, in baths that are too hot, dry heating air or UV radiation.

So how do you know what's missing in your skin? Is your skin tense and flaky, although you notice an oily film on your forehead and nose, for example? Then this indicates that your skin type is not dry but combination skin and the dry skin feeling is more likely to be caused by dehydration of your skin.

causes

Like most skin types, dry skin is mostly genetic. If you tend to have dry skin, this condition will probably accompany you for the rest of your life. But there are also external factors that promote dry skin.

Dry skin produces less sebum, i.e. natural skin fat, than other skin types. The important protective film on the skin "crumbles", harmful environmental influences such as cold or UV rays can damage the skin more easily. This also makes it more difficult for the skin to produce and store sufficient moisture.

Dehydration, an unbalanced diet, hormone fluctuations or stress can also cause the skin to become drier. As the skin naturally produces fewer oils and retains moisture as it ages, skin tends to become drier with age.

what your skin needs

compensate for water loss

To compensate for the water loss, give your skin back a large portion of moisture, e.g. B. with hyaluronic acid. This penetrates deep into the skin and replenishes the moisture balance there. At the same time, it helps the skin to retain moisture for a long time.

Integrate valuable oils

Since your skin does not produce enough sebum itself, you should integrate valuable oils into your routine. These protect your skin barrier and thus keep the moisture in the skin. An oil-based skincare product is also a great base for your make-up. This lies supple on the skin instead of emphasizing dead skin cells or wrinkles caused by dryness. Natural oils such as almond, amaranth or argan oil are suitable.

Use mild products

Avoid harsh soaps or alcohol-based cleansers as they unbalance your skin barrier and strip too much oil and moisture from your skin. Mild, pH-neutral cleansing products are more suitable.