Skin – it comes in all sizes, textures, types and colours. It’s a wondrously important organ, the bodies largest, that vitally protects and regulates our bodies. It also acts as a window to our bodies health and wellness. When we’re tired and run down, ill or suffering from self inflicted neglect, our skin’s appearance is often an unavoidable giveaway that something’s not right. There is no underestimating the importance of keeping our skin looking and feeling happy and healthy
Because of its variability from person to person, there is no one size fits all approach to skincare. Achieving healthy skin requires finding skincare products and a daily routine that are compatible with your skin type. And each skin type has it’s own specific requirements for optimal skin health
Here we discuss how to approach dry skin and set a daily ritual to help to provide relief through feeding your skin what it needs to thrive
What causes dry skin?
If you experience dry skin, whether that be short term or seasonal discomfort, or an ongoing happening, there are a number of reasons why, and each can be treated and improved with specific products and ingredients
Whilst having dry skin can be frustrating, and incredibly uncomfortable, you should know it is a really common condition for those of all ages
Dry skin side effects are usually the result of the skin not retaining adequate levels of moisture, and is often a genetic inconvenience. This happens when the skin produces less sebum – the main component in your body’s natural oils, sebum is a lipid, one of several healthy fatty oils that naturally protect our skin. Sebum is necessary to help retain moisture and nutrients. With less sebum, it’s harder for skin to maintain hydration and build a strong, natural barrier against external pollutants
The skin is also reactionary to its environment. Changes in weather, from seasonalities, local climates and humidity, to the effects of heating and air conditioning, directly impact our skins condition. Sun exposure, pollutants in the air and in water, the products you use and even the temperature you have your shower can all lead to the dehydration and irritation of our skin
Many skincare products contain ingredients that can strip the skin of its natural oils, leaving the skin feeling dry and flaky or actually dry and dehydrated. Both are the skin telling you it’s not happy; a very unpleasant looking and feeling challenge. Thankfully this is an easy fix; avoid ingredients like alcohols, fragrances and parabens, and be careful with treatment ingredients like salicylic acid and retinol
The good news is; dry skin can usually be easily remedied with hydration and nourishment-focused skincare products. However, left alone in conditions that stress the skin, dry skin can lead to more serious skin irritations and diseases such as eczema and dermatitis. In more extreme cases a consultation with a dermatologist is necessary to treat the condition with topical prescription creams. So, it’s worth understanding and addressing now
How do you know if you have dry skin?
Dry skin is characterised as skin that feels tight, particularly after showering or being in the water, and can feel rough and cracked, flaky and often itchy
If you notice your fine lines and wrinkles looking more apparent, and your pores are super-fine to invisible, this can be a tell-tale sign your skin is lacking sebum. Severely dry skin can show deep cracks, and might even bleed
A good way to tell if you have dry skin is to apply your evening skincare ritual (focusing on skin nourishment and repair) and if you wake up with dry, tight skin then there’s a good chance you have a dry-skin type
Short term dry skin can be a symptom of internal dehydration from lack of water, or being sick or hungover. Top up your water levels (at least 2L’s per day) and see if that improves your skins appearance
If you find that you only get dry skin seasonally it might be a case of rotating your skincare routine as the seasons change. Focus on moisturising products that are more lightweight in the summer, and richer, more nourishing in winter
Best Skincare Ingredients for dry skin
Incorporating these skin loving, hydration boosting natural active ingredients into your routine will help restore hydration to dry or damaged skin. Look out for products, especially your daily face and body moisturiser, that are formulated with the following wonder ingredients:
Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Extract
Brilliant for dehydrated skin, Aloe Vera is used to rebalance dryness and soothe delicate skin. This wonder ingredient penetrates the skin four times faster than water, delivering effective hydration relief past the skin barrier for optimal results
Althaea Officinalis (Marshmallow) Root Extract
This powerful extract is great for soothing dry or sensitive skin. It aids the skin’s ability to retain moisture by forming a protective, moisturising layer on the skin which helps calm and soothe irritation. This ingredient can help sensitive skin conditions such as eczema.
Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil
Avocado oil is abundant in important nutrients highly sought after by the body, including vitamin A and D, Lecithin, and Potassium. Aiding in the treatment of climate damaged, dehydrated and ageing skin, avocado oil is an exceptional moisturising oil
Camellia Oleifera (Camellia) Seed Oil
Nicknamed “the olive oil of Asia”, this plant oil is an excellent emollient and moisturiser for dry skin. It boasts a high concentration of fatty acids and antioxidants such as Vitamin E and Squalene, which are crucial for maintaining nourished, soft, and supple skin.
Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter
A miraculous naturally moisturising ingredient that effectively softens the skin and assists in retaining moisture by creating a protective barrier on the skin’s surface. It soothes and helps protects the skin against environmental damage whilst enhancing the appearance of dry skin, and restoring its suppleness.
Passiflora Edulis (Passionflower) Extract
Packed with essential vitamins A, B, and C, this ingredient is highly effective in softening, moisturising, and rejuvenating the skin.
Skincare Ritual for Dry Skin
To treat dry skin we recommend a consistent daily routine which includes gentle formulas that are highly moisturising and nourishing to promote healthy skin and the production of sebum. Avoid products with ingredients like alcohol which can weaken skin and strip away its natural oils
Step 1 - Hydrating Cleanser
This oil based cleanser is filled with 10 wonder oils to gently cleanse the skin without removing natural oils or disrupting the lipid barrier. It is naturally hydrating too, making it a great cleansing solution for those suffering dry and sensitive skin. The result is cleansed skin that is balanced and hydrated. Use daily in the morning and at night, either in the shower or at the sink
Step 2 - Moisturiser
A high quality moisturiser should be the daily hero product for those with dry, dehydrated skin. The Daily Face Fuel is made with Macadamia, Passionfruit Seed and Avocado oils to deeply and effectively nourish and hydrate the skin. One of our most loved products Daily Face Fuel delivers nourished, healthy skin through intense hydration.
Step 3 - Face Oil
An oil blend crafted with 19 oils and extracts to deeply hydrate and brighten the skin. The effective moisturising benefits help the skin stay hydrated for longer, reducing the appearance of fine lines and relieving the symptoms of dry skin. Use before bed on clean, dry skin
Step 4 - Sunscreen
One of the most important steps of any skin care routine is sunscreen. Wear it on your face daily, applying it after your moisturiser or face oil. It's particularly important to wear sunscreen when you have dry skin because harsh UV rays can cause further damage, making your skin drier, stressed and unbalanced. Be sure to reapply it often when you're outdoors
Step 5 - Repairing Serum
Peptide Anti Ageing Elixir and Peptide Eye Renewal
This highly concentrated serum is readily absorbed into the skin to deliver maximum nourishment. It contains the highest quality ingredients including avocado oil and shea butter to intensely hydrate and condition dry skin. Use in the evening, after applying the Lipid Vitamin Face oil
By knowing what causes dry skin, and adding products crafted with natural, skin improving ingredients tailored for dry skin concerns, your daily dry skin challenges can be improved
