Cool breeze and air-conditioners are usually a bliss for all but ask someone with dry skin and they will tell you how much they dread it. It literally sucks the life out of their skin. It could either be dryness in some part of your skin or your entire body. But both are not desirable. So we did our research and came up with a list of simple ingredients that you can include every day in your routine.
What causes dry skin?
Dry skin is basically when your skin loses moisture frequently. This happens when your skin barrier is not healthy and your dead skin cells have lost the moisture to hold the water within the skin layers. While transepidermal water loss (TEWL) is one thing, Natural Moisturising Factor (NMF) is another. These two factors should be maintained and it is done by having enough moisture, Ceramides, and amino acids. Here are some factors that affect the skin:
1. Living in a cold environment
2. Taking hot showers
3. Kidney disease
4. High blood sugar
5. Diuretic, antacid, etc
6. Skin conditions like Eczema, Psoriasis
Which are the right skincare ingredients for dry skin?
Adding ingredients that can hydrate your skin and not clog is very important. Avoiding heavy moisturisers and sticking to lightweight plumpers can help dry skin regain its elasticity and moisture. Here’s what dry skin types can include in their skincare routine:
1. Seaweed
This is a powerful ingredient with a rich mix of humectants and even Vitamin E. This helps to draw moisture into your skin and plump up your skin. It also contains amino acids which help to smoothen out all the fine lines and wrinkles. Amino acids prompt collagen production which leads to higher elasticity of the skin. Seaweed can be paired with an emollient to eliminate dead skin and reveal the next layer of plump skin.
2. Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera is hailed as a cure-all ingredient and not because it just hydrates your skin. It also repairs and heals your skin since it is composed of amino acids, Vitamins, Polysaccharides, Phytosterols, and even minerals. If you have dry, dull, wounds, or burnt skin you can use Aloe Vera. It has no side effects so it fits even acne-prone dry skin. Learn more about Aloe Vera here.
3. Niacinamide
Niacinamide is a great moisturiser and skin brightener. It is water-soluble Vitamin B3 that helps in decongesting pores and more importantly strengthens the skin barrier. It does so by stimulating Ceramide production which forms 50% of the skin barrier. It also helps in maintaining oil production. For all dry skin beauties, a Niacinamide-based moisturiser will surely repair your skin! Learn more about Niacinamide here.
4. Ceramides
Our skin cells are placed and in between Ceramides form the links to prevent water loss. For dry skin, Ceramide is missing which is why you end up with more water loss. This is exactly the reason why you must include Ceramides and bridge the cells to reduce water loss. Learn more about Ceramides here.
5. Vitamin C
This is a powerful Vitamin that helps to neutralise the effect of free radicals that are present in the surroundings and leads to oxidative stress on your skin. Since Vitamin C is rich in Antioxidants, it is capable of fighting free radicals. Vitamin C is also powerful in terms of brightening the skin and boosting Collagen production. Start with the lowest concentration and use as per the skin tolerability. Learn more about Vitamin C here.
6. Alpha-Hydroxy Acid (AHA)
AHAs are chemical exfoliants that can also work as humectants. Ingredients like Lactic Acid, Mandelic Acid, Citric Acid, or Glycolic acid are AHAs. They help to get rid of the upper layer of dead skin and gunk. They also attract moisture into your skin which leads to plump skin. Using them in a small concentration can suit even dry, sensitive skin types. Since it is water-soluble, it does not penetrate deep into your skin but it definitely works for dry skin. Learn more about the chemical exfoliants here.
7. Probiotics
Probiotics on your skin can help you strengthen your skin barrier and improve moisture levels. Our skin contains a healthy amount of microorganisms living on the skin and they maintain the skin barrier by destroying pathogens that can harm your skin. When there are fewer of these organisms, your skin barrier will disrupt and lead to multiple skin concerns. Probiotics in skincare helps to replenish this balance and give you radiant, healthy skin. Learn more about skin microbiome here.
What is the right skincare routine for dry skin types?
For dry skin type, the key is to introduce multiple layers of moisture. This ensures that there is more absorption of the skincare product that you’re applying and also avoids clogging of the pores. Here’s what your routine can look like:
1. Cleanse
Cleanse your skin with a gentle cleanser that won’t strip off your skin further and will attract moisture to your skin. Pick a cleanser that contains humectants and soothing ingredients like Aloe Vera, Matcha, Centella Asiatica, Seaweed, Glycolic acid, etc.
Sublime recommends Put Simply Get Your Greens Cleanser. It has Centella Asiatica, Green Tea, and Licorice to hydrate, cleanse, and brighten your skin.
2. Tone
Toner acts as a first layer of hydration to your skin. Your skincare routine should introduce hydration in multiple steps and all of the products should be lightweight.
Sublime recommends A'kin Natural Hydrating Mist Toner. It has Coconut water, Green Tea, and Chamomile. A good mix to give your skin a splash of hydration.
3. Essence
The next layer of skincare should also be a moisturiser and be thin/watery in consistency. This will ensure that your next layer can be absorbed by your skin and add another shot of moisture.
Sublime recommends Ekavi - Taral | Hydrating Skin Essence. Probiotics, Green tea, Aloe Vera, Rosewater, and Neem are key ingredients. This can help you strengthen the skin barrier and add another layer of hydration.
4. Treat
Use a gentle treatment serum. Regardless of the ingredients, you must ensure that your product is not heavy. This just helps to ensure that your pores won’t clog since you’re adding multiple layers of skincare to give that extra moisture.
Sublime recommends Biocule Aqua Boost Hydrating Serum. It has Hyaluronic acid and natural sugars. This helps to plump up the skin and provide long-term hydration instantly.
5. Moisturise
This could be relatively lotion-like in consistency. You still want to avoid heavy occlusives to moisturise since that can clog extremely dry skin. Use a mix of emollients and humectants. You can also use a product that is paired with cholesterol, fatty acids, Ceramides, etc. This helps to prevent water loss.
Sublime recommends Detoxie Anti-Stress & Hydrating Youth Preserve Moisturiser. It has 4% Niacinamide, 2% Hyaluronic acid, Matcha, Apple extracts, Licorice, and much more to give you bright and plumped skin.
Which are the ingredients that should not be used on dry skin?
Not that these ingredients are bad for the skin but they are particularly ineffective for dry skin types. For dry skin, they should avoid ingredients that exfoliate or dry out your skin to take off the gunk on your skin.
1. Salicylic acid
Salicylic acid is Beta-Hydroxy acid (BHA) which is a chemical exfoliant. This ingredient is not bad but it simply doesn’t prove to be effective on dry skin. It is oil-soluble and dry skin simply doesn’t have enough oil through which it can penetrate deep within your skin to unclog the pores. So dry skin must avoid BHA. Learn more about Salicylic acid here.
2. Benzoyl Peroxide
Benzoyl Peroxide works by drying out the skin when used on the skin. It works excellent on cystic acne, pustules, or nodules. But if you have dry skin then you must consult a dermatologist to treat acne instead of using Benzoyl Peroxide.
Takeaway
Dry skin can be managed by including humectants and emollients to deeply hydrate and moisturise the skin without leading to clogged pores. Including a lot of lightweight moisturisers, skin barrier harnessing, and gentle exfoliating ingredients can help to improve skin texture and elasticity. Certain drying ingredients like Tea tree oil, Benzoyl Peroxide, and Salicylic Acid should be avoided to ensure that there is no further damage to the skin.
- Divya Salvi
