Skin Type - Dry Skin
Tips On Taking Care Of Dry Skin
You might be happy that you belong to the dry skin category,
but, in fact, it is more often troublesome than blessed. Although
they generally need not worry about break outs and blemishes,
but, dry skin tends to look dull and flaky. And worse, the
appearance of fine lines and wrinkles will be outlined.
Age and the environment are two main factors that contribute
to dry skin. As you age, the sebaceous glands within the dermis
layer slow their production of sebum, which acts as our body's
natural moisturizer. The skin's ability to keep moisture also
decreases as we grow older. This is caused by the breakdown
of the intracellular matrix, which is the collagen and elastin
layer that will keep our skin tissue together. When this layer
starts to break apart, it becomes harder for skin to keep
the moisture. As moisture escapes, skin becomes drier.
The other environmental factors that contribute to dry skin
include climates that are arid, windy and dry. Besides, if
you always use harsh soaps and detergents and too much unprotected
exposure to the sun's damaging rays can also negatively influence
skin. Genetics also plays a role in determining your skin
type.
How To Know If I Have Dry Skin?
First of all, look at your living environment. Windy areas
and areas with low humidity will potentially cause dryness
by stripping skin of its natural oils. Living in areas where
winters are cold usually causes skin problem as well. Although
you might think that you do not spend time outdoors, but you
must know that interior heaters as well as air conditioning
units in hot, dry climates can sap the air of moisture and
cause dry skin.
The most obvious signs of dry skin are the flaky skin. And
also, dry skin often looks tight and taut because pore openings
are very tiny. If right now you don’t see it yet, but
you are near mid-life, you will see them pretty soon.
Dry Skin Care
If you have dry skin, proper skin care means attempts to
retain as much moisture as possible. You should avoid or stop
using products that contain alcohol because it tends to dry
our skin. It’s recommended that you use ingredients
for dry skin which includes alpha hydroxy, lactic acids, petroleum,
lanolin and glycerin so take time to read product labels.
Although dry skin will not feel like it has to be cleansed,
but, in fact, you should keep a good habit of cleansing it
twice daily, which is in the morning and at night. Try to
use a gentle cleanser made especially for skin that's dry,
cleanse using warm water instead of hot water. Finish off
with a cool rinse. It's never recommended to use hot water
to clean any type of skin or to soak in a tub because doing
so will only strip skin of its natural oils.
After cleansing your skin, pat it dry using a soft towel.
Then apply a light moisturizer containing Vitamin E. If you
do wear make-up, make sure that you choose foundations that
contain the moisturizing ingredients mentioned above.
And finally, you can further help to keep your skin hydrated
by drinking water and increasing your consumption of high
water content foods such as cucumbers and watermelon. Most
fruits and vegetables make good hydrating agents plus they're
excellent sources of important vitamins, minerals, fiber and
antioxidants. Antioxidants are extremely important in helping
maintain the skin's intracellular matrix.
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