Dry skin – how to take care of it?

Dry skin is a problem that increasingly affects young Polish women aged 18-25. In this article, we will discuss the research findings presented by Dr. Danuta Nowicka and how proper care for dry skin should look.

Research on the Dry Skin Problem

As part of the “Skin Under the Microscope” series, Dr. Danuta Nowicka presented the results of a dermatological diagnosis performed using the NATI skin analyzer. The study included 1,370 Poles, including young women diagnosed with the problem of excessive skin dryness.

Dry Skin – Causes of the Problem

What are the causes of dry skin? The main issue is the improper functioning of the skin’s lipid barrier (SLB), which ultimately leads to disturbances in the composition of the epidermal barrier. This, in turn, causes the loss of water from within. In summary, among the surveyed women, the average moisture measurement in the T-zone was 42.9%, and in the U-zone – 41.7%, which is below the normal range of 40-65%.

The Impact of Daily Habits on Dry Skin

Many external and internal factors can result in dry skin. The most common ones are:

1. Washing the face with hot water: Hot water can damage the skin’s lipid barrier, leading to dryness.
2. Air conditioning and dry air: Prolonged stays in air-conditioned rooms also lead to moisture loss.
3. Improper diet: Lack of essential nutrients in the diet affects skin health.
4. Stress and smoking: These negatively impact skin condition, contributing to dryness.

1. Washing the Face with Hot Water

Let’s start with one of the most common habits that lead to dry skin – washing the face with hot water. Hot water, while pleasant, damages the skin’s lipid barrier. This barrier is crucial for retaining moisture and protecting against harmful external factors. When it is damaged, the skin loses more water, leading to dryness and irritation. Instead of hot water, it is recommended to wash the face with lukewarm water, which is gentler on the skin and helps maintain its hydration.

2. Air Conditioning and Dry Air

Another significant factor is staying in air-conditioned rooms, as air conditioning and dry air are also culprits of skin dryness. Spending long periods in air-conditioned spaces leads to moisture loss from the air, which negatively affects the condition of the skin. Additionally, air conditioning can lower humidity levels indoors, causing the skin to lose its natural moisture. To counteract this, it is beneficial to use humidifiers or regularly ventilate rooms. Additionally, drinking an adequate amount of water helps maintain proper skin hydration levels.

3. Improper Diet

An improper diet also affects skin health, as the lack of essential nutrients such as vitamins A, C, E, and omega-3 fatty acids can lead to dry skin. These nutrients play a crucial role in keeping the skin hydrated and healthy. Including foods rich in these nutrients, such as nuts, seeds, fish, fruits, and vegetables, can significantly improve skin condition. It is also important to avoid excessive sugar intake and processed foods, which can negatively impact skin health.

4. Stress and Smoking

Finally, it is also worth mentioning stress and smoking, as these are factors that negatively affect skin condition, contributing to dryness. Stress triggers the release of hormones that can weaken the skin’s protective barrier, leading to moisture loss. Finding effective methods to cope with stress, such as meditation, yoga, or regular physical activity, can help improve skin condition. Smoking, on the other hand, narrows blood vessels and reduces the supply of nutrients to the skin, which also causes dryness. Therefore, quitting smoking is one of the best steps one can take to improve skin health and overall well-being.

Dry Skin Care – Common Mistakes

Although we perform skincare routines to take care of our skin, many of them can contribute to its dryness. We often do not even realize that we are making mistakes and are surprised that our skin, instead of being healthy, hydrated, and radiant, looks dry and dull. What mistakes are we talking about?

Typically, the use of aggressive cleansing agents, such as alkaline soaps, alcohols, and abrasive substances (e.g., scrubs), can significantly affect skin dryness. They damage the skin’s protective barrier by removing natural oils and lipids, leading to moisture loss. Substances like alcohol can also cause irritation and inflammation, further worsening skin condition, leading to dryness and sensitivity.

Alkaline soaps change the natural pH of the skin, which is around 4.5-5.5 (slightly acidic). Shifting the pH towards the alkaline side weakens the skin’s barrier function, promoting dryness. It is clear that cosmetics containing alkaline soaps, alcohols, or abrasive substances contribute to skin dryness by excessive removal of natural oils and mechanical damage to the skin surface. Regular use of alkaline soaps and alcohol leads to washing away natural lipids from the skin, causing excessive dryness. Additionally, scrubs with particles can mechanically damage the skin’s surface, leading to micro-injuries that weaken the protective barrier and increase water loss.

Inadequate makeup removal also affects skin dryness by causing clogged pores, which hinder the skin’s ability to breathe and impede natural regeneration processes. Makeup residue can lead to inflammation and dryness. Going to bed with makeup on leaves pollutants, sebum, and dead skin cells on the skin, which can weaken the skin’s protective barrier and contribute to dryness. Improper cleansing can lead to dehydration, as pollutants and makeup residues can affect the functioning of the skin’s lipid barrier, resulting in dryness.

First Symptoms of Dry Skin

Dry skin manifests through the following symptoms:

• redness
• peeling skin
• frequent irritations
• fine expression wrinkles
• itching, burning, feeling of “tightness”

“The skin is very wise. It has the potential to defend itself against dryness. It is worth maintaining the skin’s natural regenerative abilities instead of acting against them.”

Dr. Danuta Nowicka

Proper Care for Dry Skin

According to the principles of holistic care, dry skin care also requires a comprehensive approach. First and foremost, appropriately selected cosmetic products and attention to facial skin care are important, but not only that. Another element is a healthy diet, physical activity, and taking care of your inner self. Healthy skin requires a holistic approach – from the inside and the outside.

Six Steps in Dry Skin Care

To effectively combat dry skin, it is worth implementing a comprehensive skincare program consisting of six steps.

1. Appropriate Cleansing Products

Choose cosmetics that do not contain alcohol and alkaline soaps with a pH of 5.5. Wash your face no more than twice a day to avoid disrupting the skin’s natural protective barrier.

2. Gentle but Effective Makeup Removal

Don’t forget about makeup removal. Equip yourself with a suitable, gentle yet effective product that helps you remove makeup. You can use the Soothing and Cleansing Micellar Water CLEAN MICELLAR WATER from Dr. Novicka.

3. Optimal Skin Toning

Toning is crucial, especially for oily and acne-prone skin. Choose alcohol-free toners with a pH of 5.5 or lower, containing sebum-regulating and anti-inflammatory ingredients.

4. Application of Moisturizing Cream

The ideal cream for dry skin should:

• Have a simple composition containing humectants such as glycerin and hyaluronic acid (learn more about hyaluronic acid).
• Contain minimal preservatives and emulsifiers.
• The cream should also be easy to apply and non-comedogenic.

5. Dry Skin Care in a Beauty Salon

Professional treatments can significantly improve the condition of dry skin. Some recommended treatments are listed below:

• moisturizing treatments
• exfoliation with fruit acids
• cavitation peeling
• microdermabrasion for oily skin
• seboregulating treatments using algae, pyruvic acid, or salicylic acid.

Lifestyle Changes and Skin Condition

Lifestyle has a huge impact on skin condition. To avoid dry skin issues, it is worth making the following changes:

• drinking at least 1.5 liters of water daily
• limiting alcohol consumption
• a balanced diet rich in nutrients
• short showers instead of long baths
• avoiding air-conditioned rooms

Dry Skin – Summary

In conclusion, it is important to emphasize that caring for dry skin requires a holistic approach. Through proper dry skin care, a healthy diet, and avoiding harmful habits, we can significantly improve its condition. Moreover, regularly adhering to the above recommendations will allow us to enjoy healthy, hydrated skin that rewards us with a beautiful appearance every day.

Dry Skin Care Questions and Answers