In a recent survey of women over 18,
59% said that dry, dehydrated skin was their #1 concern. However at this time
of year, that percentage is even higher due to cold, wind, heat, and holiday
stress. The other thing to be aware of is that there is a difference between
dry and dehydrated skin. Dry skin lacks oil, while dehydrated skin lacks water;
put the two together and you have a recipe for irritation and inflammation. You
can have oily skin and still have dehydration. Dehydration contributes to
thickening of the skin and inadequate natural exfoliation, which means that the
skin is not shedding properly, so you can end up with scaly, cracked skin.
Also, if you have mature or environmentally damaged skin, hydration is critically
important to improve the look and feel of your skin. If you would like to stop dealing with dry,
tight, flaky, itchy skin; be aware of the skin care products you are using on
it and what is in them, because they are your best defense. These products can
be your worst enemy as well, by contributing to the problem through the use of
cheap, irritating ingredients and pH levels that are too high or low for your
skin. pH levels that are too high or low can compromise the barrier of your
skin, leaving it dry and susceptible to irritants. Soap is a perfect example of
this, as it has a high pH level, which is why your skin has that tight, squeaky
feel to it after you use it. Moisturizers are so important, next to a good
cleanser, they are your most important skin care product. Moisturizers contain
a mixture of emollients, occlusives, and humectants that form a barrier on the
skin to prevent water loss, lubricate, and act as a water magnet to draw
moisture to the skin. Some occlusive emollient ingredients to stay away from
that are often used in cheaper skin care products are: mineral oil, lanolin,
and petrolatum; these ingredients can be irritating to the skin and can clog
pores. The most effective humectant is Hyaluronic Acid, which can hold a
thousand times its weight in water; this keeps the skin hydrated, especially
after age 50 when skin begins to break down. Dermalogica’s Skin Hydrating
Booster is a concentrated serum containing hyaluronic acid along with several
other humectants to smooth, hydrate, and minimize fine lines. Exquisite:
Skincare and Waxing has several different Dermalogica products available, along
with Skin Hydrating Booster, for retail to combat dryness and dehydration in
your skin. |
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