There's dry skin.... then there's DRY skin!
I'm talking Sahara dry skin, Kalahari dry skin, should-I-just-try-calling-it-leather-now skin. When you have this kind of skin you know that all these little lotions and potions at the drug store are just not enough. If you haven't guessed by now... I have that kind of skin, and it can really suck (for lack of a better word).
Now, I know there are people with bigger problems than I do. In addition to my chronic dry skin I have mild eczema, and I have flare-ups now and then. I am not proposing that the products and tips I use will cure this condition ( I'm a scientist, there will be none of that non-sense here), but these are the tips I use to make my skin more manageable and to minimize the effects of my flare-ups.
The key to managing dry skin is to understand your body's largest organ as well as figure out what all of the various skin products do. Whatever your skin care routine is there are a few things you should do to optimize moisture retention:
1. Do not use harsh products to cleanse your face. This extends to both makeup removers and cleansers.
I am partial to the Cetaphil cleanser since it is the most gentle and inexpensive cleanser I know of. It is also easily accessible. A cleanser without harsh detergents is your best friend. Another product that you should be familiar with (if you wear makeup) is an oil cleanser. Makeup removing oils can be found everywhere now, but you don't even have to splurge on those because olive oil and coconut oil do a great job as well. The oil dissolves the makeup efficiently, and after rinsing it off and using your cleanser there will be no traces of makeup left. Not only will your face be clean, but it will still be soft and not dry and tight.
2. Balance the pH of your skin (slightly acidic) to return it to it's optimal condition.
Believe it or not, your skin's natural and optimal pH is slightly acidic. As seen in the chart below (from the lovely folks at Eucerin) the optimal pH for your skin is anywhere from 4.5 to 5.5. Think about that, the pH of water is 7. Which means that after cleansing your face hopefully not with harsh detergents because those are anywhere from pH 9-11) and rinsing with water, your skin is too basic. That is why toners exist, they are supposed to balance the pH of your skin back to acidic conditions.
Once again, these are products that you do not need to splurge on if you don't want to. Aloe vera juice is an easy fix. See the article linked below to read more about the importance of balancing your skin's pH.
3. Always, always, always moisturize your skin.
Moisturising your skin is important. I know too many people who walk around with dry skin and even complain about it, and then tell me they do not moisturize.... don't do it... don't be that person..... It doesn't have to be an expensive $500 moisturizer, some of the drugstore brand are doing great things with their skincare and offer great options. Choose one, choose your favorite one and use it every time. Please, your skin will thank you. Not just now but when you get old (and it will happen) you will be happy you did this.
4. Seal your skin with an oil or a product that will allow your skin to retain as much moisture as possible.
Oils are your friend. Don't fall into the trap that others do to believe that oil is bad and that oil causes acne. Also, not every oil is good for your skin some of them are actually irritants and should be avoided (even as ingredients in other products). A good sealing oil will form a barrier between your skin and the air that prevents water loss and provides a bit of protection against environmental damage. Remember that moisturizers are designed to seal moisture in, not provide it. Moisturizers (whether cream or oil) should be used on moist/ damp skin, that is when they are effective. Otherwise, you may receive only temporary relief from them.
5. Always use sun protection.
I mean real sun protection. I mean go to the store and buy the best sunscreen you can. Many people omit this step entirely and I can't figure out why. I'm from the beautiful island of St. Lucia so I love the sunshine but I know that even with my lovely brown skin, sun exposure is damaging. Direct sun light will cause the majority of the signs of aging that will develop on your skin over time and contributes majorly to your skin's dryness. Always use sun protection.
I mean REAL sun protection. In today's world of natural remedies, it is easy to get carried away and read some random magazine article that says that coconut oil is sun protection. Be aware that though these natural oils and juices may provide a tiny bit of sun protection, you still need significant protection to keep you skin performing optimally. See the linked recent study below for their findings on natural oils and fruit juices/extracts as uv protection.
I talk about these points more thoroughly in my latest video below so check it out!
Enjoy. Be Healthy. Be Happy
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