1. cause of dry skin - external factors
The skin is made up of three main layers: Epidermis, dermis and subcutis. The uppermost layer is the multi-layered epidermis, also known as the epidermis. A thin protective film consisting of a mixture of sebum, sweat and water covers the horny layer, the uppermost of all skin layers.
The acid mantle - also known as the hydrolipidic film - is a natural
skin protection barrier. Its slightly acidic pH-value prevents external pathogens from penetrating the skin. At the same time, it preserves the skin's moisture content.
Skin fats, so-called lipids, connect the horny cells in the uppermost layer of the skin. You can think of the lipids as a kind of glue that holds the horny cells together. External influences such as long, hot showers or baths, aggressive cosmetic products with drying alcohols or highly degreasing surfactants can damage the delicate protective layer. If the acid mantle is disrupted and the lipids are rinsed out, the skin becomes more permeable.
The now missing lipids between the horny cells can no longer prevent the evaporation of water. What do I mean by evaporation? The skin constantly releases water into the air. Conversely, it can also absorb moisture from the air and store it in the corneocytes. Natural moisturizing factors help it to do this. These are water-loving substances such as lactic acid, urea or hydrophilic amino acids. If the acid mantle is disturbed, the skin not only loses oil, but also moisture.
The good news: the acid mantle regenerates itself after a few hours. The less good news: if you regularly put your skin under a lot of strain, it can become overstressed. It then urgently needs nourishing care, for example in the form of precious skin care oils such as Rosehip Seed Oil, which strengthens the skin's protective barrier.
But it's best not to let it get that far. You can support your skin with healthy habits and gentle skin care. However, it's not just external factors that can cause dry skin
2. cause of dry skin - predisposition and internal factors
Although external influences have a strong impact on the condition of the skin,
individual predisposition also plays a role. Depending on the predisposition, the sebaceous glands produce more or less oil. For example, male sex hormones stimulate sebaceous gland activity. With age, the skin becomes drier due to reduced sebaceous gland activity. In addition, mature skin can store less moisture.
Internal factors also influence the condition of the skin. These include diet, psyche, hormones, fluid intake and the intake of certain medications. Diseases, such as certain metabolic disorders, can also affect the health of the skin and cause dry skin .
3. which nutrients are missing in dry skin?
dry skin can also be an indication of deficiency symptoms. Are you wondering which nutrients are missing in dry skin? dry skin can indicate a deficiency of omega-3 fatty acids or biotin. Linseed oil has a particularly high proportion of omega-3 fatty acids. Biotin, also known as vitamin B7 or beauty vitamin, is found in oatmeal, walnuts, carrots and tomatoes, for example. Zinc deficiency could also be the cause of chapped skin, for example at the corners of the mouth.
If you suspect a nutrient deficiency, you should have this checked by a doctor before you stock up on food supplements. It's not just an unbalanced diet that can lead to a nutrient deficiency; gastrointestinal illnesses can also cause poor nutrient absorption.
Has your skin never been particularly dry, but its condition has suddenly changed significantly? Or are individual areas dry, cracked or itchy? It is best to seek medical advice to find out if the cause of the skin changes is due to illness or allergies.
4 What helps with dry skin? Tips for everyday life
What does dry skin love? A healthy lifestyle, sufficient hydration, a balanced diet and a careful skincare routine with special care for dry skin. She appreciates it when you spend time in the shade rather than in the blazing sun. If you refresh yourself briefly in the shower with lukewarm water, she is super happy.
And: take care of your mental health. Because stress can also cause an imbalance in the skin
and even worsen the symptoms of skin diseases such as
neurodermatitis.
Here is a checklist with easy-to-implement tips for dry skin:
- Take a lukewarm shower
- pH skin neutral shower gel use without perfume
- only armpits and intimate zone with shower gel Cleanse
- add a moisturizing additive such as Almond Oil to the water when bathing
- Use cream for dry skin after showering and bathing
- only ever gently pat the skin dry, do not rub it
- Refatting products such as our Cleansing Oil are suitable for dry skin to face
- Use a moisturizing and richer cream for dry skin.
- Facial skin
- wear airy clothing that does not rub against the skin
- Use fragrance-free cosmetics and household products
- Drink enough after strenuous activities, rinse skin with lukewarm water
- Cleanse and a moisturizer apply
- in summer, protect your skin from UV radiation with airy clothing, a sun hat and sun protection
- Protect
- In winter, use a rich cream for dry skin and soft textiles from
- Wear natural materials
5. how to care for dry skin? Tips for your beauty routine
I have already briefly touched on some tips for caring for dry skin in the checklist. I'll go into a little more detail here to give you plenty of inspiration for your daily skincare routine. This can help you to balance your skin more quickly. If the cause of dry skin is genetic, you will also be able to improve its condition quickly with a skin type-specific skincare routine.
In your daily skin care routine, you should pay particular attention to preserving and strengthening the skin's protective barrier. As already mentioned, dry skin is more susceptible to moisture loss due to a lack of lipids. You can therefore moisturize it from the outside.
Hyaluronic acid is a great active ingredient for the care of dehydrated skin. Hyaluronic acid, which is also found in the body, is able to bind moisture in the skin. Thanks to its water-binding capacity, hyaluronic acid makes the skin more supple and leaves it looking beautifully fresh and moisturized.
However, as dry skin also needs lipids, light hyaluronic acid care is usually not enough. A cream for dry skin should therefore moisturize the skin while also providing it with lipids.
Because dry skin is often thinner and more permeable than normal skin, it sometimes reacts irritably to certain ingredients in cosmetic products. Choose a skin care product for dry skin that is also suitable for sensitive skin and is free from potentially irritating ingredients such as perfume, chemical preservatives or drying alcohols. It is also best to use a washing powder or fragrances.
This is what a skincare routine for dry facial skin could look like with our mild care products could look like: