3 Tips To Relieve Dry Skin
Relieving dry or very dry skin correctly is essential to avoid long-term skin problems. The horny layer, the most superficial of the skin, is the one that ensures the protection barrier.
In order to fulfill its function, this layer must have an adequate amount of water and lipids. When these elements are lost or their quantity decreases, it is when dryness and flaking appear.
Patients seeking relief from dry skin often feel uncomfortable. They may perceive tightness, lack of comfort and even a sensation of heat or itching. If this cannot be corrected, these symptoms may appear in other areas.
Causes of dry skin
The surface of healthy skin is protected by a layer, as mentioned above, made up mainly of water and sebum. This barrier (the horny layer) is waterproof and acts as a defense of the skin against external aggressions, in addition to preventing the loss of water.
When an imbalance of its two main components occurs, this defense function cannot be carried out effectively. In this way, the skin begins to manifest different degrees of discomfort such as:
- Temporary discomfort
- Slightly tight feeling
- Slight flaking
Unlike dehydrated skin, dry skin is a chronic condition. The reason for this is that, generally, it is due to a genetic dysfunction.
However, in addition to innate dryness, it can also be developed by external factors, climatic, skin pathologies or general diseases and medical treatments.
On the other hand, some habits that favor the appearance of dry skin are the use of makeup by women and daily shaving by men.
Tips to relieve dry skin
Next, we mention a series of treatments and tips to relieve dry skin and improve the appearance of the skin and the comfort of the patient.
1. Use a good moisturizer
Any good moisturizer that is going to be used in order to alleviate dry skin must contain in its formulation a series of basic ingredients, according to this study carried out by researchers from the Mount Sinai School of Medicine (United States) :
- Glycerin: Glycerin moisturizers attract water molecules to the top layer of the skin, replenishing hydration.
- Petrolatum: this other component has the ability to retain moisture and prevent water from evaporating. In this way, it favors the hydration of the skin.
- Niacinamide: it is vitamin B, which helps to improve the skin’s natural moisture barrier, restoring and repairing the appearance of the affected skin.
To alleviate dry skin, we recommend that you choose a cream that contains these three ingredients, as it is the best way to maintain elastic and healthy-looking skin.
2. Cleanse your face with a good product
Not only are moisturizers the only products that can soothe dry skin. In addition to hydrating the face in the morning and at night, there are other ways to combat this problem.
Special facial cleansers or neutral soaps are usually gentler on the skin than antibacterial soap. In this way, they will help you to replace the hydration lost in the cleaning process.
In addition, if after cleansing your face you hydrate with one of the creams with the composition explained, the moisturizing effect will be much more beneficial than just carrying out a treatment.
3. Drink plenty of water
It might seem obvious, but it is one of the points that people neglect the most. It will be useless to try to hydrate the dry skin of the face if we do not keep the whole body hydrated.
It is recommended to drink a liter and a half of water a day, as a minimum, although this will depend on the needs of each person, as stated in this study carried out by a team from the University of North Carolina (United States).
It must be borne in mind that this habit will help us to alleviate dry skin by promoting the recovery of elasticity and luminosity.
Every skin is different, and so are your needs
As having dry skin is a chronic condition, the treatment to combat this problem must be carried out daily in order to avoid any complications and improve the appearance of the face.
Go to the dermatologist to indicate the degree of dryness of your skin and can recommend the most appropriate products for your particular condition.
