Dry skin on hands and face what to do. Is dry skin a symptom of a disease or a completely normal phenomenon? What should the diet be like?

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Usuallydry skin (xerosis) does not indicate serious problems, but can cause discomfort and sometimes leads to unpleasant complications.

Fortunately, most cases of xerosis are caused by external factors that are easy to control.

Separately, ichthyosis is a disease associated with extreme dry skin, which disfigures the patient and causes him physical and emotional suffering.

Chronic and severe skin problems are a reason to consult a dermatologist.

Causes of dry skin

Possible reasons include:

1. Climatic conditions. The skin becomes dry in winter when the temperature and humidity drop. Winter conditions contribute to the worsening of existing skin problems.

2. Central heating and air conditioning. Fireplaces, central heating, and air conditioners without humidification can cause dry skin.

3. Hot bath or shower. Frequently taking a hot bath, especially if a person likes to splash around in the water for a long time, can destroy the lipid barrier of the skin. It is also not recommended to swim in heavily chlorinated pools.

4. Harsh soaps and shower products. Many popular products contain aggressive surfactants (surfactants). These surfactants simply wash away the protective lipid membrane of the skin, causing dryness.

5. Sun rays. Like heat, the sun's rays dry out the skin. UV rays penetrate the epidermis, affecting the deep layer of skin - the dermis. They destroy collagen and elastin, leading to so-called solar elastosis.

6. Atopic dermatitis. This is one of the most common types of eczema and most often affects dry and sensitive skin.

7. Psoriasis. This skin disease is characterized by the rapid growth of rough, dry, dead skin scales, as well as itchy skin.

8. Diseases of the thyroid gland. Hypothyroidism - insufficient thyroid function - reduces the activity of the sweat and sebaceous glands, which leads to dry skin.

Risk factors for dry skin

1. Elderly people.
2. Residents of countries with dry and cold climates.
3. People who like to take hot showers or baths often.

Symptoms of xerosis

Symptoms of xerosis depend on your general health, age, where you live, and how much time you spend outdoors.

Possible symptoms include:

1. A feeling of tightness of the skin, especially after a bath.
2. Skin is wrinkled and dehydrated.
3. Skin looks rough instead of smooth.
4. The itching is bothersome, sometimes very intense.
5. Peeling of the skin - from slight to severe.
6. Skin cracks, sometimes bleeding and painful.
7. Redness of the skin, usually in limited areas.

1. The condition does not improve despite home measures.
2. Dry skin is accompanied by severe redness.
3. Dryness and itching interfere with normal sleep.
4. Ulcers and infected wounds form due to scratching.
5. The skin peels off in large areas.

Diagnosis of the causes of dry skin

A list of skin conditions associated with xerosis includes:

1. Follicular keratosis. This condition causes small, acne-like pimples on the arms, legs and buttocks. Numerous pimples give the skin a rough, sandpaper-like appearance. Pimples are usually flesh-colored, but can also be red and inflamed.

2. Ichthyosis. In this unpleasant disease, skin cells form thick, dry scales that look like fish scales. The scales are small, multifaceted, from white to brown. Ichthyosis can cause deep, painful cracks in the palms and soles of the feet.

3. Xreotic eczema. This disease causes dry skin and numerous cracks in the skin. This characteristic skin appearance is described by some people as “dry riverbed” or “cracked porcelain”. The skin is inflamed, itchy and bleeding.

4. Psoriasis. The disease manifests itself as dry, flaking and itchy skin. The skin in the affected areas is reddish and covered with scales resembling dandruff. In severe cases, the disease may be complicated by infection.

For more serious problems, such as atopic dermatitis or psoriasis, ointments and creams containing corticosteroids (Celestoderm B, Elokom, Advantan) can be used. If an infection occurs due to constant scratching or poor hygiene, the doctor may prescribe combination products that also contain antibiotics (Celestoderm B with Garamycin, Triderm).

If you are prone to dryness, it is not always possible to achieve flawless skin.

However, use these tips:

1. Moisturize your skin. There are many products that form a protective film that protects the skin from moisture loss. The simplest and most effective option is baby oil.

2. Limit hot baths and showers. Such procedures should last no more than 15 minutes, and the water should be used warm, not hot.

3. Avoid harsh soaps that dry out your skin. If you have sensitive skin, you cannot skimp on good soaps and shower gels. Use a gentle, oil-infused soap such as Neutrogena or Dove.

4. Use moisturizers immediately after swimming. After your bath, pat your skin gently with a towel to keep your body slightly damp. Immediately afterwards, apply baby oil or another moisturizer to your body.

5. Use a humidifier. If the cause of dry skin is dry air in the house, do not skimp on a humidifier (humidifier), at least a portable one for your room. Maintain your device regularly to prevent the humidifier from becoming a source of bacteria or fungi.

6. Choose appropriate clothing. Natural fibers such as silk and cotton allow your skin to breathe. Avoid fabrics with cheap dyes. When washing, do not use fragrances or other chemicals that may irritate the skin.

For itching and inflammation of the skin, American experts recommend limited use of a cream or ointment containing at least 1% hydrocortisone. This is a medium-strength corticosteroid hormone that copes well with inflammation, itching, and allergic reactions.

In the United States, this drug is available without a prescription, but in most countries of the former USSR, hydrocortisone is prescribed by a doctor.

Before using such drugs, it would be a good idea to consult a dermatologist.

Possible complications of xerosis

1. Atopic dermatitis.
2. Folliculitis (inflammation of hair follicles).
3. Cellulitis (bacterial infection of the subcutaneous tissue).

These complications usually occur in cases where the skin's protective mechanism is impaired. For example, severe dryness of the skin causes cracks, and they open the gates for

One of the most common problems that can be encountered at any age is dry skin. This phenomenon significantly worsens the appearance of the epidermis. This phenomenon especially negatively affects the condition of the skin of middle-aged people. That is why it is imperative to know the main causes of dry epidermis and the rules for caring for it.

From the scientific side

There is a medical term for dry skin - xerosis. It mainly occurs due to insufficient moisture in the upper layer of the epidermis - the stratum corneum.

This layer is a natural barrier that protects tissue from external influences. This is facilitated by a natural cream - a hydrolipid mantle. It is produced by sebaceous glands located close to the epidermis. The hydrolipid mantle covers the entire body like an invisible film. It is quite fragile and can collapse when bathing or dry epidermis.

When the hydrolipid mantle is destroyed, moisture easily evaporates. The epidermis, deprived of moisture, can flake, crack and be irritated. Dry skin is rarely a symptom of any disease. Usually this phenomenon occurs independently. There are several reasons why a person may have very dry facial skin.

Typical causes of dry epidermis

If you have dry skin on your face, then the reasons for this unpleasant phenomenon can be varied. We list the main ones:

1. Improper care or lack of care. Often, dry skin on any part of the face can appear if a person washes his face with too hot or highly chlorinated water and soap. If the sensitivity of your face is increased, then it is better to wash your face with a special product for sensitive or dry skin.
2. Diabetes. Although the causes of severely dry facial skin are rarely determined by disease, there are still exceptions. With diabetes, not only the skin on the face can suffer, but also on other parts of the body - arms, legs or head. The disease can affect the epidermis in both women and men.
3. Eating problems. Regular and proper nutrition is the key to the absence of problems with the condition of the skin. If your face is very dry, you can try reducing the number of spicy and salty foods, as well as spices, in your diet. The rapid evaporation of moisture from cells is facilitated by the consumption of coffee and carbonated drinks, as they cause a diuretic effect.
4. Lack of vitamins. What is missing in the body? Vitamins A, C and E are important. Their deficiency can cause corresponding problems.
5. Raw food diet. Dry skin in the facial area can occur due to a raw food lifestyle, which is becoming increasingly popular among Russians every year. A raw food diet involves eating primarily plant-based foods in their raw form. Some say that a raw food diet improves the appearance of the skin, while others, on the contrary, complain of dryness and flaking on the cheeks, forehead and chin. All symptoms in this case are individual. Perhaps the body does not receive enough vitamins. When a person has very dry facial skin due to a raw food diet, what should be done in this case? The best option is to temporarily give up this lifestyle and see how your face changes.
6. Weather and climate. Frequent and prolonged exposure to frost in winter and sun in summer. Also, peeling and other unpleasant symptoms may occur due to changing weather conditions.
7. Not drinking enough water. Experts say that the skin dries out due to lack of water. You need to drink at least 8 glasses or 2 liters of liquid per day.
8. Age-related changes. Skin loses elasticity and firmness with age. By the age of forty, unpleasant symptoms may appear in the form of skin tightness, dry skin around the mouth becomes especially common. How to get rid of severely dry skin on the face caused by age-related changes? The answer is simple - you need proper facial skin care after 40–50 years and sufficient hydration. On the recommendation of a doctor - hormone replacement therapy.

And this is not a complete list of the main reasons. It also happens that the skin of the face is not dry all over, but in certain areas, for example, on the forehead or cheeks. In some cases, there is even dry skin on the eyelids. This unpleasant phenomenon can occur for the following reasons:

• heredity;
• improper functioning of the sebaceous glands;
• gastrointestinal diseases;
• Frequent exfoliation of a specific area of ​​the face.

Rules of care

Dry skin needs special care that will help significantly mitigate the main manifestations and consequences of this phenomenon.

• Why is it necessary to wash your face only in the evening? This measure is due to the fact that a special protective layer is formed on the skin overnight, which is washed off in the morning. Due to this effect, the epidermis becomes susceptible to external irritants.
• It is necessary to wash only with warm water without soap.
• It is best to use settled or filtered water for washing.
• Using facial care products that say “moisturizing” or “for dry skin” on the bottle.
• Removing makeup before bed using special cosmetic milk.
• Why when choosing cosmetics should you give preference to those that do not contain alcohol? This substance additionally dries the skin.

With regular adherence to basic care measures, dry facial skin will be moisturized, which will reduce the main manifestations of dryness to a minimum.

It is advisable to carry out additional care. It includes:

• a course of multivitamins twice a year;
• periodic masks for moisturizing - both homemade and store-bought;
• visit a cosmetologist if necessary.

Features of summer care

How to care for dry skin in summer? The recommendations are simple, and the secret of success is consistency.

1. In the summer, it's time for vacation, and many people with dry skin want to go on vacation to the sea. Salt water can dry out the epidermis, so before bathing it is recommended to apply a rich cream to your face.
2. Daily: don’t forget about sunscreen with SPF of at least 30!
3. People with dry faces are advised to visit pools with chlorinated water less often.
4. It is also worth limiting active sports activities during which profuse sweating occurs.
5. Drinking water in summer costs as much as your body requires, but not less than 2 liters per day.
6. You need to include fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet.

Features of winter care

In winter, when the cold sets in, the epidermis suffers outdoors from frost and cold wind, and indoors from the operation of heating devices. It is not surprising that the entire set of external factors has a great impact on the skin. How to properly care for dry skin in winter:

1. In bad weather, it is better to cover your face with a scarf. The skin on your face dries out from frost and wind, but this measure will at least protect it a little.
2. It is recommended to consume fish oil, vitamins and microelements daily.
3. If possible, the use of powder should be eliminated or minimized in winter. It dries out the skin of the face a lot.
4. It is worth periodically making a variety of masks that contain herbs. It is recommended to carry out the procedures several times a week.

• Choose the right cosmetics that are suitable for dry skin care.

Read also: Japanese skin care system Chizu Saeki

The effect of cosmetic products, first of all, should be aimed at normalizing subcutaneous metabolism, because this is what causes dry facial skin. To get rid of dryness, special attention should be paid to lipid metabolism, since with age the functioning of the sebaceous glands is disrupted, which leads to a deficiency of subcutaneous fat. The easiest way to compensate for this deficiency is with the help of a special cream.

Special products containing herbal ingredients can normalize the protective layer of the epidermis. oils and lipids. These substances stimulate the production of proteins in the skin.

• Control the degree of moisture.

It is important to take into account that complete care necessarily includes the use of moisturizers. However, according to research, the water level in such skin is quite normal. That is why, in order to get rid of dryness, frequent use of moisturizers leads to a weakening of the epidermis’ ability to self-hydrate. But if a cosmetologist determines that you have dehydrated facial skin, you should not neglect the use of moisturizers.

• Carry out deep cleaning procedures.

This type of epidermis, like any other, requires special cleansing procedures. Exfoliating masks with a cream base are very effective for this type of epidermis. Masks based on fruit acids are also good for caring for dry skin.

• Nourish your skin.

Caring for dry skin and nourishing the skin from the inside plays a very important role. If the body lacks essential substances, this can cause the skin to show signs of dryness. In order to get rid of such manifestations, you must include in your diet foods that contain vitamins A and E. Quite a lot of these components are found in nuts, legumes, oils and fish oil.

Folk recipes

There are quite a lot of various folk recipes that help get rid of this phenomenon, and in the future properly care for very dry skin. As a rule, most of these remedies include medicinal herbs. But before you start using herbs, you need to make sure that they will not cause an allergic reaction. Therefore, it is best to test a product that contains herbs.

In order to conduct an allergy test, you need to apply a small amount of a product that contains herbs to the wrist area. If this kind of herb causes an allergic reaction, it will appear within 15 minutes. In addition, it is worth considering that herbs must be used very carefully, so it is best to first consult with a specialist.

The most effective folk recipes that include herbs:

• Chamomile cleansing lotion. To prepare this remedy, you need to boil the chamomile flowers and let them cool. You need to wash your face with the product 2 times a day. Signs that the epidermis is drying out will disappear after 14 days. Treating very dry skin with this lotion will help you get rid of the feeling of dryness.
• Washing lotion based on aloe vera and juice. To prepare the lotion, you need to take a little herb such as string, boil it and cool. After this, you need to add juice from aloe leaves to the decoction. This product is suitable for use if you have sensitive skin. Using the lotion will help you get rid of the main negative signs in 30 days.
• Ice for dry skin. The product perfectly tones the face. To do this, you can use herbs. For example, take chamomile and prepare an infusion based on it. After this, freeze the resulting composition in molds and wipe your face with the resulting ice. The procedure is suitable even if the skin is very dry.

Try other recipes:

• Berezhnoe.
• Oatmeal mask. To prepare it, you need to pour 1 tbsp. a spoonful of oatmeal flakes 50 ml of warm and full-fat milk. Leave to sit for 10 minutes. Apply the resulting paste to the epidermis and leave for about 15 minutes. After the specified time has elapsed, rinse with cool water. You can make a mask 2 times a week for a month. The mask rarely causes allergies, but if the skin is very irritated, you should still avoid using it.
• One of the most effective cosmetic procedures that can significantly improve the condition of the epidermis is hot compresses, when various beneficial components or herbs are present. Carrying out this procedure allows you to dilate blood vessels, expand pores, normalize blood circulation and remove dead cells. In addition, under the influence of heat, the process of moisture evaporation stops, which significantly softens the skin and increases its elasticity.
• Avocado mask.

If you don’t like a recipe or it’s not suitable, it’s better to refuse it in order to avoid possible unpleasant consequences.

Procedures in salons

The range of services offered by salon professionals is limited only by the capabilities of a particular organization. There are special procedures aimed at moisturizing dry areas of the skin and improving the overall appearance.

It is very popular today. This is a special laser treatment method without the use of injections. It is aimed at restoring natural contours, as well as eliminating age-related changes. The result after it appears instantly, and the effect with maintenance care lasts up to 6 months. The procedure is safe due to the minimization of side effects.

Another, no less popular procedure is this. During this procedure, nutritional cocktails with hyaluronic acid and other active substances are introduced into the epidermis using a special device. A course of several similar procedures can even smooth out small wrinkles. Non-injection mesotherapy effectively eliminates dryness and normalizes skin acidity. The procedure does not leave scars, so it can be done periodically even without leaving the working rhythm.

Makeup Features

Makeup for dry skin has its own characteristics. The difficulty is that the applied products can highlight her problems. For example, any wrinkle can become very visible. Applying makeup to such skin, which also has increased sensitivity, is quite unpleasant.

Girls and women are recommended to choose a non-greasy, silicone-based product as a makeup base. Such a base will keep your appearance fresh for a long time, and it will not require correction. It is best to apply it to the face using your own fingertips - this way the product will lie more evenly and be absorbed faster.

The shade and type of this cosmetic product should be chosen based on the condition in which the face is. For example, an earthy complexion will be hidden by a lilac or soft pink base. A base containing particles of mother-of-pearl will add a gentle glow.

conclusions

There is no clear answer to the question of why the epidermis dries. This phenomenon can be influenced by various factors, however, most often the skin dries out due to improper care. In order for her condition to significantly improve, first of all, it is necessary to fight the cause that caused the dryness.

That is why the answer to the question: dry facial skin, what to do, will be a consultation with a cosmetologist and selection of the right care. These measures will help normalize the condition of the epidermis and restore it to a healthy appearance.

Those with dry skin are envied when they are young. They manage to look luxurious without the slightest effort. The surface of the face never shines, it is matte, light beige or pink. The pores are practically invisible, it seems that the skin covers the face like a beautiful veil. Pimples and acne are extremely rare. Well, what could be better!

Features of dry skin

But without proper care, external beauty quickly disappears. Concerns about dryness and flaking of the skin. In winter, the face often turns red, and this redness can persist for up to several days. There is a constant feeling of tightness: you want to wash your face, splash cool water on yourself, or make a couple of grimaces. Such subjective sensations indicate that the epidermis has lost its supply of moisture and it is important to replenish it.

How does fluid loss occur? The fact is that skin is a multi-layered structure. It consists of the dermis, epidermis, and outer stratum corneum. The task of the epidermis and the horn cells covering it is to protect the dermis from contact with the external environment. The latter contains eighty percent water, which gives the skin elasticity. Why does the skin dry out so much, how to deal with it and how to get rid of this problem forever.

Dry facial skin types have a thin protective layer. The epidermis is thin, it is difficult for it to perform its function of retaining moisture in the dermis. It contains significantly less lipids than oily or normal epidermis. Namely, these substances trap and retain water. Without proper help, the skin loses moisture rapidly. And this process becomes more intense when exposed to external irritants: wind, frost, too warm and dry air.

It is important to distinguish between dry skin and dehydrated skin. The first is given by nature, it is thin and gentle, and does not cause problems in adolescence. The second is the result of insufficient hydration of the epidermis of any type. Oily skin that has been extremely actively dried out with “special” cosmetics can also become dehydrated.

Fat test. How to remove fat from face

If you're not sure about your skin type, take a simple test. Wash, pat dry your face and do not apply any cosmetics to it. After two hours, apply a napkin to it.

If oil stains do not appear on it, then your skin is dry. If moderate or pronounced spots are present in the area of ​​the forehead, chin, nose, you are the owner of not dry, but overdried skin of oily or combination types.

Popular Misconceptions

There is a widespread belief that caring for dry skin is practically unnecessary. It is formed in girls at a young age, who, until the age of twenty, really did not have to do anything to maintain attractiveness.

But after twenty-five years, natural aging processes begin in the body. And it is the dry epidermis that suffers the most as a result of lack of proper care. Therefore, the appearance of the first facial wrinkles by the age of twenty-eight is not uncommon in this case.

Let's look at other popular misconceptions that accompany dry skin.

Myth 1. There is no need to cleanse your face, because after washing with water it tightens and dries out. It is enough to use make-up remover.

“You can use micellar water or other facial cleansing products with a cotton pad from time to time, for example, on the road,” notes cosmetologist Olga Fem. “Under normal conditions, it is necessary to use cleansers that more thoroughly remove impurities from the skin.”

Dry epidermis needs regular cleansing no less than oily skin. You just need to choose special cosmetics for this. Gels are not suitable as they destroy the thin lipid barrier of the dry epidermis. It is optimal to use foams or mousses designed for this skin type.

You can use makeup remover milk based on unsaturated waxes, fats or hydrophilic cleansers based on vegetable oils. As a rule, such products dissolve well in water, so they are applied to the face with a cotton pad, gently wipe off dirt, and then wash as usual.

Myth 2. Dry skin needs to be lubricated with oils. They nourish and moisturize it well.

Moisturizers create a thin transparent film on the surface of the epidermis, which prevents the evaporation of moisture from the basal layer of the dermis. It seems that the oil does this job better than the cream. It is oily, the skin immediately after application becomes soft and elastic.

But this phenomenon is temporary. Oils are too dense substances, they disrupt cellular respiration and reduce the intensity of metabolic processes. With their constant use, the skin ceases to independently produce lipids necessary to maintain its water balance.

Cosmetics, even for dry skin, never contain undiluted oil. It is used in small quantities, in oil-in-water or water-in-oil structures. The first formula is used to create light day creams that are quickly absorbed and do not leave a noticeable film. The second formula is a solution for a night cream with a richer and oilier consistency. Its structure is closest to the natural fatty film of healthy epidermis.

Creams do not “relax” the skin or stop them from working. High-quality cosmetics restore their natural barrier, which distinguishes them from vegetable oils.

Myth 3: Dry skin should be treated with Vaseline. It retains moisture for a long time.

Dry skin care products are sometimes made with Vaseline. Cosmetics may also contain paraffin, mineral oil, ceresin, and vaseline oil.

“These substances are petroleum products,” clarifies cosmetologist Tatyana Nalivaiko. - They are dangerous for any skin, and they should definitely be excluded when caring for dry skin. They create a dense film on the surface that prevents the restoration of the natural barrier.”

When choosing cosmetics, study its composition. Even expensive creams can be made on the basis of mineral oil (Mineral oil), petroleum jelly (Vaseline, Petroleum oil) and paraffin (Liquid paraffin).

The correct substances that form a film on the surface of the skin, promote its respiration, and maintain lipid balance are hyaluronic acid, collagen, cellulose substances, polysaccharides from algae, chitosan.

Myth 4. The scrub should be used no more than once every ten days.

It is really necessary to take care of dry skin at home with exfoliating products. The natural process of keratocyte expression constantly occurs on its surface: some cells die, others are formed, perform their function and die again.

The persistence of a layer of “dead cells” on the face gives it an unkempt appearance. The skin looks raised and dull. Various substances are used to remove them (exfoliate). The most popular are scrubs.

But with dry epidermis, caution should be exercised. It is unacceptable to use any scrubs. As a rule, they contain coarse abrasives with sharp edges that scratch the epidermis, leaving microcracks on it, which causes inflammation and irritation.

When choosing a scrub, give preference to formulations with soft ball-shaped exfoliating granules, such as jojoba oil or sucrose crystals. They polish the skin gently and do not damage it.

Enzyme peels are even safer, they dissolve dead cells without affecting healthy ones. These are creamy pastes that should be applied to the face, washed with warm water, and massaged with warm hands for ten minutes.

Exfoliation should be done once a week. With regular use, it provides an even complexion and smooth skin.

Myth 5. Whatever you do, after 30 years wrinkles always appear on dry skin.

“Our body is aging, nothing can be done about it,” comments cosmetologist Olga Fem. “But we have the power to slow down this process and reduce its manifestations. Finally, well-groomed skin always looks better than unkempt skin and ages more slowly.”

Rules of care

So, what to do with dry skin at home? It is important to choose cosmetic products that suit you and use them regularly. Caring complexes should contain moisturizing and nourishing components.

• External hydration. Hyaluronic acid, chitosan, collagen do not penetrate the epidermal barrier. They work exclusively on the surface, creating a breathable film. Thanks to it, moisture from the dermis does not evaporate, and the skin looks richer, healthier, and more hydrated.
• Maintaining structure. These substances are necessary for the epidermal barrier to maintain its own functions. Such active humectants are all types of sugars (lactose, glucose, xylose), sorbitol, glycerin, urea. Look for provitamin B, lactates, amino acids (alanine, serum albumin), pyrrolidine carboxylic acid in your care products.
• Restoring the protective barrier. A typical situation for depleted skin is that literally half an hour after applying moisturizer you again experience a feeling of tightness and discomfort. This indicates a violation of the natural lipid layer, which is “broken” and cannot retain moisture. Treatment of dry facial skin at home should be carried out using substances that restore the lipid barrier. These include ceramides, linoleic and linolenic acids, phospholipids, natural oils: argan, borage, soy, sesame, sunflower.

Some substances in creams perform several functions. Ceramides, amino acids, fatty acids, fruit lactic acid, animal milk proteins effectively retain moisture in the epidermis and restore its protective barrier.

Everyday technology

In home care, follow a “minimum program” for all skin types, including cleansing, toning and high-quality moisturizing of the skin.

• Cleansing. “Use the mildest cleansing products,” advises cosmetologist Ekaterina Zhivotkova. - Cream and gentle milk are ideal. As a last resort, foam is used, but even this can cause exacerbation of dryness.” Cosmetologist Tatyana Nalivaiko also advises paying attention to special gels based on extracts of algae, bisabol, azulene, and natural oils. It is important to cleanse your face morning and evening.
• Tonification. “Please do not forget to treat your skin with an alcohol-free tonic or lotion,” continues cosmetologist Ekaterina Zhivotkova. - This is one of the most important stages of care. Applying toner helps normalize the pH level, which is always disturbed after washing with water. And the predominance of an alkaline environment after contact with tap water leads to dryness and irritation. In addition, the tonic prepares the epidermis for the application of a caring cream.”
• Moisturizing and protection. Provided by applying day cream. It is important that it contains protective components from environmental factors: antioxidants, which include vitamins C, E, and UV filters. These substances prevent skin aging caused by external factors. The right moisturizing components in your day cream: collagen, hyaluronic acid, milk proteins. Your skin will look healthy, full from the inside when using formulations with honey extract, lecithin, grape seed extract, and algae.
• Nutrition and regeneration. Achieved by using a thicker night cream. According to reviews from cosmetologists, it is advisable to give preference to formulations on a semi-synthetic basis, since natural fat is too heavy for such a delicate epidermis. Cosmetologist Tatyana Nalivaiko recommends products with vegetable oils, ceramides, and fatty acids. The composition may include algae extract, whey proteins, collagen, elastin. Apply the product to prepared skin an hour before bedtime in a thick layer. If after twenty minutes there are still traces of cream on your face, remove it with a napkin.
• Deep cleansing. It is performed once a week to exfoliate dead keratocytes from the surface of the epidermis. Use products designed to care for delicate and thin skin. Cream and oil formulations in the form of masks are suitable for you: enzyme peels, gomages, masks with fruit acids (lactic, almond). Do not use products based on glycolic acids, as they are too aggressive for your type of epidermis.
• Deep hydration, nutrition. Choose nourishing and moisturizing types of masks and use them at least twice a week. To make the ingredients work more actively, apply the product after deep cleansing with gomage or a mask with fruit acids. The nourishing mask may contain microelements, algae extracts, and guarana. These substances improve the tone of the skin and increase its protective properties. Moisturizers contain hyaluronic acid, collagen, chitosan, and milk proteins. Apply the mask to cleansed skin for twenty minutes. After this, rinse and apply caring cream.

To keep dry skin looking attractive, it is important to avoid drying ingredients in cosmetics. If after using a tonic, cleanser or mask you experience a feeling of tightness or tingling, the composition is not suitable for you. Give it up.

Nuances of the summer period

Caring for dry skin in summer should include better nutrition. The epidermis reacts negatively to changes in water during a trip to the resort, hot sun and salty sea wind.

Use nourishing masks more often, three times a week. And for daily night care, choose a thick cream with an oil phase based on avocado or shea butter. This way you will protect your skin from depletion.

Don't forget about sun protection! Ultraviolet light dries out the epidermis even more aggressively than central heating. For the summer, buy a day cream containing at least SPF-15 UV filters. If you wash your face with water during the day, the cream should be applied again. Using a protective cream from May to September will prevent the formation of age spots and hyperkeratosis, which peak in the summer months.

Nuances of the winter period

In winter, cosmetologists recommend swapping day and night creams. In the morning after cleansing the skin, apply a nourishing composition. It will become a high-quality barrier between the delicate epidermis and external factors: frosty air, cold wind. It is important to use the cream an hour before leaving the house, otherwise you will get the opposite effect: discomfort and irritation.

Apply moisturizer in the evening. The need for active humidification at night is dictated by staying in an apartment where radiators are operating. They dry out the air, which, in turn, “pulls” moisture from our skin.

Not only cosmetics, but also the use of a humidifier will prevent the epidermis from drying out. This device sprays water in the room, maintaining a normal level of air humidity. And helps the skin stay hydrated and healthy.

When going to a ski resort or a walk in a snowy park, take care to protect your skin from ultraviolet radiation. Use the same cream you use on the beach in summer. Decorative cosmetics will also help: layer-by-layer application of foundation and powder creates protection from sun rays at the SPF-15 level and eliminates direct contact of the epidermis with an aggressive environment.

Supplement your home care for dry skin in winter with a course of nourishing serums. Five to seven procedures are enough, in which the serum is applied under the night cream. Such formulations contain liposomes - active components that improve skin nutrition. The structure of liposomes is close to the structure of dermal cells, which allows them to transfer nutrients to deep layers that are inaccessible to conventional cream.

Dry skin is beautiful in youth, but demanding after twenty years. It can bring discomfort in the form of peeling and upset its owner with the early appearance of wrinkles. And it can serve as a source of pride throughout your life if you use soft cream products to cleanse it, properly tone, nourish and moisturize it. Organize care for dry skin using properly selected cosmetics with moisturizing and nourishing ingredients in summer and winter.

Any skin requires careful care, but dry skin in particular. Let us explain why. Increased dryness of facial skin is accompanied by many unpleasant phenomena: peeling, early wrinkles, roughness. They are not always caused by insufficient care. The phenomena may be associated with some pathologies or other reasons that must be eliminated so that the skin again shines with beauty and freshness. Allowing the epidermis to dry out excessively is unacceptable!

Moisture retention mechanism

On the surface of the skin there is a stratum corneum. Its moisture is provided by cellular structures and lipids located between them, which perform several functions:

• they act as a bonding agent for postcellular structures;
• prevent moisture loss;
• regulate the rate of skin peeling and cell renewal;
• Thanks to their antimicrobial action, they play a protective role on the surface of the epidermis.

With normal skin, there is a certain balance between the water content in the stratum corneum and in the surrounding air; if it is disturbed, dry facial skin appears or, conversely, oily.

The water-lipid emulsion film that forms on the surface of the epidermis also contributes to moisture retention. It is formed from secretions of sweat and sebaceous glands and intercellular lipids. An emulsion may have different ratios of components. This depends on external conditions and the intensity of the glands.

The mechanism of dryness and peeling of the skin is determined by the following factors:

• lack of moisture in the stratum corneum;
• too frequent change of the surface layer of cells;
• violation of the protective properties of the skin.

Causes

The condition of the skin is affected by many factors. Each of them can cause negative consequences. Sometimes the appearance of dry facial skin and the causes that cause this phenomenon can be eliminated by selecting the optimal care products.

But sometimes they are associated with a serious illness that requires qualified treatment.

The most common causes of dry skin are:

• lack of sebaceous glands or their dysfunction;
• hormonal changes occurring in the body for any reason;
• disorders caused by a genetically determined predisposition;
• decrease in the level of moisture in the stratum corneum with increasing age;
• severe diseases of the digestive tract or diabetes mellitus, which are accompanied not only by dry facial skin, but also by other symptoms;
• deep cleansing of the skin if it is done too often;
• vitamin deficiency, which usually begins at the end of a long and cold winter;
• frequent use of hot or low-quality water, as well as aggressive detergents when washing;
• too dry air in the house, especially in winter, during the heating season;
• long exposure to the sun or frost without protective cream;
• poor-quality or incorrectly selected skin care products;
• insufficient consumption of clean water;
• poor nutrition.

If you do not understand the reasons for dry skin on your face, your doctor should tell you what to do if additional symptoms include peeling and itching. They may indicate any skin diseases.

Rules of care

While eliminating the causes of skin problems, you should simultaneously provide it with competent and regular care, which requires compliance with several conditions.

• We need to change the rules of washing. In the morning, water washes away from the face all the fat released overnight from the sebaceous glands, and deprives the skin of the protective barrier it so needs during the day. Therefore, it is better to postpone the thorough washing procedure to the evening.
• A dry face should be washed with water at room temperature, and the bath or shower should be warm.
• Water quality is important. It needs to be boiled and cooled or used filtered, thawed or settled.
• To wash your face, you can only use moisturizing gel or foam. Any soap should be excluded.
• You should not rub your wet face with a towel; it is better to let it dry or lightly blot it with a soft cloth.
• Very dry facial skin requires especially careful selection of cosmetic care products. If you do not make such products from natural products, it is better to buy cosmetics from well-known manufacturers and, preferably, from the same series, with a note indicating that they are intended for dry skin. It is necessary to avoid gels and lotions containing alcohol. It has a drying effect on the skin.
• You need to carefully select decorative cosmetics. Both creams and powders must have moisturizing properties and contain protective filters.
• It is also important how to remove makeup - it can only be removed with special cosmetics intended for this purpose. You should not leave foundation on your face overnight.
• It is important to replenish the lack of water in the body. Drinking plenty of fluids daily will not only increase skin moisture, but also remove metabolic products and toxins. This will help cleanse the skin and give it a fresh and healthy look. It is recommended to consume up to two liters of water per day.
• A balanced diet is an important part of the fight against dry skin. An increase in fruits and vegetables in the diet contributes to:
• timely cleansing of the intestines and rapid removal of toxins from the body;
• the body receives vitamins and nutrients involved in healthy skin.
• It is necessary to monitor the humidity level at home and at work. If the air in the room is too dry, you should install a humidifier in it and regularly ventilate the room.
• Excessive sweating is not recommended, so you should think about the choice of sport. Swimming pools with chlorinated water also have a negative effect: before swimming, it is better to apply a rich cream to the skin.

Since it is quite difficult to get rid of dry skin on the face, you need to tune in to long-term and systematic care in compliance with all the recommendations listed.

Cosmetology procedures

If you have dry facial skin, treatment should include not only masks and creams, but also effective cosmetic procedures. Many of them can be done at home.

• A hot compress increases capillary blood flow, expands and cleanses pores, removes dead skin and dust from the surface of the skin, inhibits the evaporation of moisture, and also promotes muscle relaxation. To carry it out, you can wet a striped towel with hot water and apply it to your face for 20 minutes. Its temperature should be tolerable for the face. This procedure is especially useful after a relaxing bath with herbs.
• Dry skin on the face can be cleansed well with a steam bath. The procedure will fill it with a mass of useful substances from the herbal decoction and increase blood flow. An infusion can be prepared from chamomile, which is known for its anti-inflammatory properties.

Essential and vegetable oils

Essential oils, which have been used for these purposes since ancient times, are an excellent means of caring for dry skin types. By strengthening cell membranes, they stimulate metabolic reactions, increase blood flow, thereby improving cell nutrition. By moisturizing the skin, they simultaneously saturate it with vitamins. Their concentration is so high that adding a few drops to products for dry skin is enough. A good base for essential oils are cold-pressed vegetable oils, which are absorbed very quickly into the skin.

Olive oil is especially suitable for these purposes. The essential fatty acids it contains form a thin film that envelops the skin and retains moisture. And the influence of antioxidants stimulates the production of collagen, which increases its elasticity.

Olive oil is a universal remedy that can be used for all skin types in combination with various supplements, but it is especially useful for dry skin. It is used in the form of compresses, and masks are prepared on its basis. You can even simply wipe the skin with oil, warming it up a little. All these procedures are best done at night.

Masks

The arsenal of cosmetic products is large, and every woman can choose how to deal with a dry face and what to do with early wrinkles. Various masks perfectly moisturize the skin. They restore elasticity and slow down the aging process with regular use. They are easy to prepare at home using those natural products that can always be found in the kitchen. Another advantage is the absence of chemical additives.

• Mustard powder mixed with olive oil perfectly moisturizes the skin and stimulates capillary blood flow. A rush of blood helps enrich the surface layer with oxygen and beneficial microelements.
• A mask made from grated apple and olive oil has an excellent moisturizing effect. After several procedures, the skin becomes fresh and velvety.
• Oatmeal helps with peeling. They should be filled with warm water, and honey and a little glycerin should be added to the swollen mass. It nourishes and restores the skin.
• The cucumber mask has an excellent moisturizing and rejuvenating effect. It can be prepared with heavy cream, and a few drops of lemon juice will give it softness and elasticity.

Today there are various methods of moisturizing, protecting and caring for the face. It depends only on desire and possibilities what to do and, if your facial skin is dry, how to moisturize it. And home care methods are available to everyone, you just need to follow the recipes and maintain regularity. Then the skin will always be smooth and well-groomed.