Every person has a different skin type and characteristics and requires specific skin care. Skin types can roughly be divided in dry, oily, sensitive and combination skin.
What is dry skin?
Dry skin is a very common skin type, characterized by the insufficient production of sebum. Sebum is the body’s own oil, secreted from the sebaceous glands in the skin, and its purpose is to lubricate and protect the skin. When there is not enough sebum, the skin becomes dry, itchy, scaly, sensitive and prone to breaking and blemishes.
Dry skin is a year-round condition but it worsens in the winter, due to harsh weather and increased pollution. It also suffers from too much exposure to the sun.
This skin type needs constant care with appropriate products, and it also requires a healthy lifestyle and proper nutrition.
How to take care of dry skin?
The skin care starts with personal hygiene. It goes without saying that the skin all over the body, especially on the face, must be cleaned daily. However, dry skin can suffer from harsh soaps and liquid washes, and it does not stand hot water. It should be cleaned with mild, pH neutral soaps, using only lukewarm water that does not irritate the skin.
After cleaning the skin, the next vital step in dry skin care is moisturizing. Because there is not enough sebum, dry skin needs more moisturizing, and it is best to go for high-quality intensive moisturizers that do not grease the skin but still provide enough moisture. Lotions and creams based on coconut oil or olive oil are great for dry skin.
Moisturizing should be done at least two times a day, in the morning and in the evening, and only after the skin has been properly cleaned.
When spending time in the sun, it is necessary to apply a good sunscreen or sunblock. Ideally, they should have a SPF of 20 or higher.
Dry skin is often flaky or scaly, because of the greater amount of dead skin cells. In order to obtain a smooth, soft appearance, the skin should be scrubbed regularly. This allows the moisturizer to penetrate deeper layers of the skin.
Scrubbing or exfoliating is best if done with natural ingredients, such as corn flour or gram flour, combined with lemon juice, honey, milk and essential oils.
Face masks and packs are also highly recommended and they should be applied at least once a week. They contain ingredients the skin needs to stay healthy, and those can be found in fruit pulp, especially papaya and banana, and in honey.
Finally, dry skin should be hydrated from the inside as well, which is why it is recommended that people with this skin type drink eight or more tall glasses of water per day, combined with green tea and fresh juices.
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