DRY AND ROUGH SKIN | Meritxell's blog

We should differentiate dry skin in which we are uncomfortable and the skin looks just a bit rough to skin in which dryness becomes a real disease. Where medical advice is needed.

Dry skin is more prone to the appearance of wrinkles and a feeling of tightness.

Sometimes it is simply temporary due to environmental action such as coldness, low humidity levels or excessive bathing or water.

Sometimes with moisturizers, avoiding soaps that are too astringent.

The areas may vary for different people, from arms to legs.

It also depends on your age, your general health, the time you spend outdoors.

SYMPTOMS OF DRY SKIN:

We all know the feeling you have when you suffer from dry skin, although here I detail some symptoms.

FACTORS THAT CAN TRIGGER GREATER DRY SKIN

COLD AND DRY WEATHER

The weather, the < b>cold and drier humidity levels cause more dry skin, which is why in winter, due to the cold.

Equally, in excessively dry and arid environments they can also dry out the skin, such as in the desert.

With the cold, humidity levels also decrease. What causes the cold air to make the skin sensitized and dry.

Although if we increase the heating, this also eliminates humidity.

Using a humidifier is a good solution.

When installing a humidifier with humidity levels between 45% and 55% and a temperature of 21 degrees Celsius.

When going outside it is advisable to cover and protect the parts of the skin that will be exposed to the outside.

SHOWERS AND BATHS THAT ARE TOO HOT AND LONG

Showers and baths with water that is too hot break the skin's lipid barrier. Also in swimming pools where there is a large amount of chlorine, which can cause swimmers.

Use lukewarm water and limit bath time to no more than 15 minutes and with water that is not extremely hot.

Similarly, excessively long steam showers are not recommended for dry skin.

Hot showers are very pleasant, although they can dry out the natural oils of the skin. So if the shower is very long, the skin dries more.

So the ideal is to shower in 5 minutes, and at a hot enough temperature to be pleasant but not excessive.

SOAPS AND CLEANSING GELS, WITH DETERGENTS THAT ARE TOO STRINGENT OR AGGRESSIVE

Not all soaps or cleansing gels are the same, those that contain many detergents can eliminate the skin's natural lipid barrier.

It is better to use Syndett-type soaps, without detergents, cream-type soaps, in which oils and some fatty component have been added.

The antibacterials and disinfectants, deodorants many contain alcohol and drying agents.

In the same way, fragrances can dry out the skin, it is immediately noticeable if the product used is the right one if the skin, once dry from the bath or shower, feels tight or comfortable.

It is not important if they are the pill or gel, but their composition.

SUN EXPOSURE

Tanning and sun exposure cause more dryness. UV rays penetrate the skin in the superficial layers up to the epidermis. In the innermost part of the skin the collagen and elastin fibers break down. This will cause sagging and wrinkles.

It is important to hydrate tanned skin more.

AGE

Hormonal changes cause the skin to change its natural hydration. Thus, in the menopause by decreasing the production of estrogens, the formation of lipids by the skin also decreases.

The skin also becomes thinner.

CLOTHING AND FABRICS

Some fabrics are particularly irritating to the skin. These are acrylic, polyester and sometimes wool, so silk and cotton are preferable.

You have to pay attention not only to clothing but also to bedding and towels.

Soaps or laundry detergents can also irritate and dry out the skin. Detergents that contain a lot of perfumes or fragrances. Similarly, dryer sheets contain many perfumes that we can avoid.

WORK

Some work in which the skin is especially in direct contact with water or with cleaning or chemical agents. Such as nurses, hairdressers, cooks, cleaning... it can cause the skin to be drier or rougher and thicker.

DRY SKIN DUE TO SPECIFIC MEDICAL PROBLEMS

If the skin is especially red or dry. It can really be a health problem, like atopic dermatitis or psoriasis. Other diseases such as diabetes and hypothyroidism can cause dry skin.

Thyroid problems such as hypothyroidism decrease the production of oil by the sebaceous glands.

Here I only mention some of the most common problems in which dry skin is present.

ATOPIC SKIN

One of the main problems of atopic dermatitis is eczema is one of the main problems of dry skin, which specifically occurs on the face, neck, arms, knees, elbows and wrists.

Very often one of the problems in children and babies.

In this problem, there is also inflammation, itching and even lesions.

KERATOSIS PILARIS

An excess of dryness so that the skin appears like pimples, like goosebumps or skin. It gives a great feeling of dryness and roughness to the skin.

It can appear on the arms, legs, but also on the back, torso, and other parts of the body.

VULGAR ICHTHYOSIS

This is a hereditary problem, it can occur together with atopic dermatitis.

The skin is especially dry, scaling, and giving an itchy sensation. Sometimes it can occur thickening due to dry skin. When it is very thick, it can form fissures and even bleed. This usually happens especially on the soles of the feet.

Although also in hands, arms and torso. On the hands, lines of dryness are visible on the skin.

PSORIASIS

I mention this problem although it is a consequence of the problem itself in which the dead or flaking cells do not come off and accumulate, which causes the thickening.

Fissures can form and bleed, and even form pus. It is a chronic disease.

SOME TIPS

Sometimes we can solve this problem of excessive dryness by changing these habits that cause this dryness.

And using specific creams for this type of skin with lactic acid or urea.

If the problems are more serious, hydrocortisone can be used.

Shower and bathe, in a short time at most 15 minutes and in water that is not too hot.

Humidifiers, very dry environments can make dry skin worse.

Protect the skin, skin is the body's first defense against the elements. As the sun, the wind, the cold can leave the skin dry and itchy, you have to keep your skin hydrated rather than cover it up. Parts exposed to cold must be protected with creams or cosmetics.

Exaggerated exfoliations, care should be taken to avoid scrub-type exfoliations that are too aggressive, as they can dry out the skin too much, horsehair gloves for example are not the right thing to do. more pleasant for the skin. It is better to use a soft sponge or your hands, taking care not to irritate or damage the skin. Dry skin is more sensitive to exfoliation and irritation.

Dry the skin after showering.

If you simply dry your skin after a shower, it can become too dry. Ideally, moisturize with slightly damp skin. The skin stays hydrated for longer. With lotions or creams and if the skin is extremely dry, preferably oils.

Use barrier products, these are mainly dimethicone ceramides and vaseline.

Urea, lactic acid are effective in lotions and after-shower creams.

Face skin needs a different type of hydration than body skin. On the face it is better to use non-comedogenic lotions, use a sunscreen.

Moisturize the skin before shaving.

It is best to shave right after a shower when the hair is still soft, to avoid the irritating effects of shaving both the legs and the face, use a cream or gel, never do it directly . Leave the product for approximately 3 minutes, before starting to shave. Always shave in the direction of hair growth.

Blades should be changed often, as overused or dull blades can dry out the skin.

Lips, it is advisable to moisturize them, especially when going to bed, Vaseline is one of the most protective products, apply oil as well.

NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS

When we talk about dry skin, hydration and nutrition with topical products are essential, but we always hear about hydrating and nourishing from within, this is with supplements.

If one of the substances that is in less quantity in dry skin is the lipid components, it seems evident that nourishing with lipids internally and at this moment is when we return to find the usual basics. The OMEGA fatty acids, both 3, 6, 9.

I have also mentioned that during hormonal changes due to age, especially during menopause, less estrogen is produced, therefore products that stimulate the production of these hormones or space substitutes such as phytoestrogens will also be effective.

Zinc, this mineral is suitable for improving the recovery of dry and chapped skin, especially stimulating healing of the skin. Foods, such as beans, turkey, crab, meat.

Vitamin A, is a fat-soluble vitamin, it can help repair the skin, it is essential to improve the quality of damaged skin. It is involved in the formation of epithelial cells.

Foods that can supplement us are carrots, sweet potatoes, pumpkin.

Vitamin E, alpha tocopherol, is also another fat-soluble vitamin. It acts by itself as a natural skin protector both topically and orally. Precursor of estrogen formation.

Foods such as nuts, avocado, sprouts, flax oil, broccoli, are rich in vitamin E.

Drink water, stay hydrated is necessary to avoid excessive dryness of the skin. Sometimes we insist on drinking liters and liters of water, but to keep the skin hydrated, the water we drink must be effective. It is better not to be too cold and to be drunk slowly. Also not just water, juices, soups and other liquids are also useful for moisturizing the skin. Although avoid alcohol, and drinks too sugary.

TOPICAL OR EXTERNAL TREATMENTS

Dry skin needs nourishment, hydration and protection.

When it's a real problem.

In winter and when it's cold, I recommend products that have barrier capacity, and protect the skin from the outside environment.

For this, the products that make a protective layer.

For this, products:

SPECIFIC FOR THE FACE

Face skin that is too dry will produce a sensation of tightness, more fragility and wrinkles will become more visible, dry skin in general has less elasticity than oily or oily skin. mixed. Oily and mixed skins are more prone to flaccidity.

Needs protection from the weather. Both cold and wind or sun.

The basic steps of treatments:

1. Cleansing

At night, if the skin is very dry, a lotion or milk to remove make-up, apply it with your fingers in a circular motion and remove with a tissue. If milk is used, it is necessary to later use a cotton pad with a tonic lotion, which will help eliminate the remains of the lotion and moisturize it.

It is preferable not to let the skin dry in the air, but gently dry the skin with the same handkerchief.

Another option is specific micellar water for dry and sensitive skin if you use this product, you don't need a toner, although hygiene is not as deep as with a make-up remover milk. If you apply makeup, it is necessary to do the same step twice.

When you go to bed, you can also rinse it with cool, not hot, water. And dry the skin again.

When getting up, I recommend micellar water applied with a cotton ball.

If you use a scrub type exfoliator, always do it gently to avoid damaging the skin.

2. Serum and treatment

Dry skin marks more wrinkles than oily or combination skin, there is a greater number of dead cells, so if we remove these, the skin that appears underneath it looks cleaner, brighter and more hydrated.

For this you can use AHAs, such as glycolic or lactic acid, although as the skin is more sensitive it is likely to be more easily irritated.

I don't recommend acids like salicylic.

You can use enzymatic exfoliants, with papain or bromelain.

I recommend starting at not very high concentrations (no more than 7%) and not applying them overnight the first day, but starting a few hours to see the skin's reaction. Increase both in concentration and in time as the skin gets used to it.

These products should only be used at night and for relatively short periods. They can be used for one or two continuous months. And change the product.

During the day or when AHAs are not being used As a serum for very dry skin, oils such as argan oil, prickly pear oil (prickle) or oil fromjojoba.

The proteoglycans are also effective as a treatment to hydrate dry skin during the day.

The hyaluronic acid is also highly moisturizing.

The ceramides.

The vitamin C, on the skin, is better in a fat-soluble excipient.

3. Moisturizing and protection creams

Once the serum is applied during the day or night, the cream is applied.

If serum is not used under the skin, the cream should contain enough active ingredients to act as an antioxidant and anti-wrinkle treatment.

Creams containing hexapeptides to reduce expression lines.

It is preferable with sunscreen during the day as dry skin is more likely to redden in the sun.

The unctuous creams are preferable, they will protect the skin from the cold, they act as a protective barrier.

4. Eye contour

The main problem with dry skin around the eyes is crow's feet.

It is necessary to apply creams for the eye contour, specifically for this.

MY RECOMMENDATIONS

CETAPHIL MOISTURIZING CREAM, USA origin

LETI AT4, origin Spain

WELEDA ALMOND HARMONIZING CREAM, origin France

BURT'S BEES BODY BUTTER, origin USA

GUAM FONDANT BODY BUTTER, origin Italy

BIODERMA MICELLAR SOLUTION DRY AND SENSITIVE SKIN, origin France

MOROCCAN NATURAL PURE PRICKLY PEAR SEED OIL, origin United Kingdom

EVE LOM INTENSE HYDRATATION SERUM, origin United Kingdom

APOTCARE CRÈME IRIDORADIANTE RICHE, origin Switzerland

ALLERGENICS SKIN SOOTHING BODY LOTION, origin UK

XHEKPON CREAM, origin Spain

WEI WHITE LOTUS MOISTURE RICHE EYE BLEND, origin USA-China