Is your skin rough and scaly to the touch? Do you dread that moment when it comes to applying foundation?
Most people will deal with rough, dry skin in their life - it is very common!
But what are the causes of this dry skin? And how can we fix dry skin? We are sharing our top tips with you to treat your rough, dry skin, but first, we need to figure out the cause!
Dry skin can be caused by a number of factors. These include:
As you can see, some of these factors are out of our control, such as weather conditions, but most of these causes of dry skin are within our control. This is good because now we can remedy them and get our skin back to its healthy, supple, hydrated state.
Exposure to harsh chemicals in skin products, excessive washing, drying acne products and unbalanced skin pH, all fall under the umbrella of skincare and can be the most common culprit. This can be attributed to disrupting our acid mantle, which is lies on the surface layer of your skin, and is a very thin, natural protective film that’s made up of sebum (skin oils), amino acids, fatty acids, lactic acid, water (from perspiration), and skin’s own natural moisture. When we use products, such as strongly alkaline soaps and cleansers, or wash excessively, we strip away the acid mantle, leaving our skin open to the air and without its natural hydration. This is one of the reasons why we use oil cleansing in our 3 step process - it helps to preserve our acid mantle and keep our skin hydrated and protected!
There are a number of ways to help treat dry skin and prevent it from happening.
One method, as we have mentioned already, is the use of an oil cleanser in your skin routine. It helps balance our acid mantle, keeping it at a slightly acidic level, and cleanses away excess dirt and oil on our skin, without stripping away the protection of the acid mantle.
When looking for a cleanser, avoid the following ingredients, as they can further dry out or irritate your skin:
Aim for an all-natural cleanser, which includes grapeseed oil (rich in Linoleic acid and resveratrol), and Avocado oil, (high in essential fatty acids/ oleic acid to nourish and moisturize dry skin) Look for anti-inflammatory and antioxidant-rich properties, such as Rose Geranimum extract.
The use of a powerful moisturiser is the next step to hydrating your skin. Facial oil, rich in plant-based lipids, free fatty acids and ceramides, is a good place to start, as this will aid in replenishing moisture at a deep cellular level, soothe any redness and irritation, and provides a dose of antioxidants essential for optimal skin health. Look for an emollient facial oil, which will repair damage to the skin barrier, and fill in the gaps to create a smooth and soft surface.
A serum should be an essential step in repairing dry skin. We recommend a humectant serum rich in a natural source of Vitamin C, such as native Kakadu Plum, as it is absorbed directly into the skin without oxidization, as well as attracts moisture from the air and drawing it into the skin. This ensures maximum potency to help the skin's repair process, aiding in reversing visible damage caused via dehydrated skin.
Keep your exfoliation to once a week, to prevent further drying out the skin. Aim for an all natural, super gentle exfoliant that will dissolve dead, dry skin cells, and soften and smooth the skin underneath.
Try a humidifier. Low humidity may be a factor in drying your skin. Use a humidifier in rooms where you spend a lot of time. Adding moisture to the air may prevent your skin from drying. Make sure your humidifier is easy to clean, which can avoid bacteria buildup.
In addition, if you can skip hot showers in favour of lukewarm ones. Hot water can dry your skin by removing naturally occurring oils.
You may also find it beneficial to reduce your time in the shower to five to 10 minutes. This avoids unnecessary exposure to water, which can leave your skin drier than it was before you hopped in the shower.
Avoid showering or bathing more than once a day, as this can worsen dry skin.
You have come through one more silly season in one piece. But this kind of stress can take its toll. One look in the mirror and your eyes tell the story of late nights, stressful days, indulgent food and one too many drinks.
Say no more. Let’s look at our top tips for banishing those dark under-eye circles, bags and fine lines accumulating around your eyes (laughter lines, for sure).