How to care for dry skin? Part 1
Dry skin has fewer blemishes but tends to age faster. Moisturising it is the key so that the passing of the years does not punish it. We explain how to do it, but let’s first understand what it is.
What Does It Mean To Have Dry Skin?
What beautiful skin, without pores, or pimples… but with itching, tightness and, over the years, redness and many small and annoying wrinkles. But don’t worry, caring for dry skin and avoiding accelerated ageing is easy if you know-how, and we’re going to explain it to you.
When you have dry skin, it means that it produces little fat, which is essential to form the protective layer of the skin. Therefore, it tends to dehydration and brittleness. The thinner and drier the skin, the more expression lines will be marked, especially crow’s feet.
How To Care For Dry Skin?
In the morning and at night, apply a moisturising and protective cream with nourishing active ingredients such as vegetable oils (from evening primrose or wheat germ) to the face and neck. Remember that you should clean it with very mild products, such as make-up remover oils, syndets (synthetic detergents) and micellar waters, and use an alcohol-free toner. If the skin is extremely dry, use oil in the bath or shower and apply body butter afterwards.
Nourish in depth
Take supplements orally. Dry skin needs to be nourished from within. Help your skin with nutricosmetics that include omega 3 and omega 6, soy isoflavones and antioxidants such as zinc, lycopene and vitamins C and E. As for creams, those with a denser and smoother texture are better.
Cleansing dry skin
The main thing is to maintain extra-gentle facial hygiene. Lathering and rubbing are prohibited! Rinse cleaners are generally too aggressive for dry skin. They contain surfactants that lather and cleanse thoroughly but are also drying and stripping your skin.
If you don’t want to worsen dryness and irritation, use cleansing creams or milk twice a day, their texture is more delicate and also helps nourish your skin.
Double Hydration
Choose the moisturiser that best suits the needs of your skin and increase the amount of water in the skin by using a cream with hyaluronic acid, morning and/or night, because it helps to “fill in” wrinkles. It is ideal for dry skin because it acts like a sponge: it is capable of absorbing up to 1,000 times its weight in water and retaining it inside the skin. In addition to giving volume, it regenerates the skin, as it stimulates cells to produce hyaluronic acid naturally.
Using Layering
Layering or, what is the same, the superposition of two or more creams, is the technique used by Asians to take care of their skin. It is based on applying the different treatments (cream, serums) in layers. You apply a treatment, it is absorbed and you move on to the next one. In the morning, for example, you can apply the moisturiser and a few drops of facial oil on top, which will provide extra nutrition. Of course, if you practice the “layer on layer”, do it well. Use the lightest, water-based formula first (serum, fluid) and finish with thicker or oilier-based creams.