If oily skin sufferers worry about looking like a perpetually shiny disco ball, those with dry skin are concerned about their skin mimicking the parched environment of the Sahara desert. You would think it would be an easy task to help skin remain hydrated throughout the day — just slather on a thick layer of moisturiser and you are good to go, right?
Unfortunately, helping dry skin retain its level of hydration requires more than just slapping on any old cream. Using a skincare product unsuitable for dry skin can lead to other skin concerns such as peeling and flaking, redness and even breakouts (yes, dry skin can get pimples too!). Therefore, how do you know if a product is compatible with a dry skin type?
Skincare Factors To Look Out For
There are a couple of factors to consider when you are choosing a product suitable for dry skin, one of which being the formulation of the product. While the most important thing that a dry skin type needs is moisture, that does not mean any moisturiser you grab off of the supermarket shelves will do the trick. Choose a lightweight moisturiser and your skin will still be thirsty for more hydration throughout the day. Dry skin benefits the most from moisturisers with heavier formulations, thus creams and oils tend to work best for this skin type.
A second factor to consider when selecting products suitable for dry skin is the ingredients. Looking through the ingredients list when buying skincare products is essential to ensure your skin will benefit from them instead of experiencing an adverse reaction from an ingredient it hates.
The 3 Best Ingredients For Dry Skin
If you have dry skin, the ingredients you should pay attention to are those that will help increase and retain the level of hydration of your skin. When your skin has enough moisture, it can help combat other skin concerns such as peeling skin, dryness and itchiness. Read on to find out more about the ingredients your dry skin will love:
Hyaluronic Acid
If you are an avid follower of beauty trends, hyaluronic acid would have popped up on your radar in the past couple of years. However, those with dry skin should not simply fling this ingredient away as another short-lived beauty solution. Dry skin sufferers in particular can benefit greatly from including hyaluronic acid in their routine due to the acid’s humectant properties. It is able to pull moisture from the surrounding environment onto the surface of your skin, thus replenishing the skin’s level of moisture. This has the added benefits of improving fine lines and wrinkles, softening dry patches and smoothing out the texture of the skin. Using hyaluronic acid, however, is not as easy as slapping it onto your skin and leaving it to do its job. It performs at its best when it is in contact with an already moisturised surface, which means ensuring your skin is damp is essential before applying hyaluronic acid. When layered over damp skin, hyaluronic acid will bind the water molecules, allowing them to be penetrated into the surface of the skin, and thus replenishing your skin’s level of hydration.
Shea Butter
If you are looking for a natural ingredient that can sufficiently quench your skin’s thirst, look no further than shea butter. Produced from the African shea tree, shea butter is a type of fat that is widely used in skincare products specifically for dry skin. The high fat content of shea butter makes it an effective emollient, providing dry skin with intense hydration. Plus, it penetrates through the skin’s surface easily, leaving the skin soft and smooth without any greasy or oily residue. To include shea butter into your routine, you can either go for a product that contains shea butter or simply apply shea butter in its pure form. If you choose the latter, ensure that the shea butter is in an unrefined state as it has not gone through an extra filtering process. This means it will retain its properties that are beneficial for skincare.
Ceramides
Despite being a wonder ingredient for dry skin, ceramides do not get the same love as other humectants such as hyaluronic acid. Ceramides are a kind of fatty substance that can naturally be found in between the cells of our skin. A healthy level of ceramides in the skin will help strengthen the skin barrier, which in turn enables the skin to retain its level of moisture. Unfortunately, the level of ceramides found in our skin depletes over the years, thus necessitating the application of topical ceramides to replenish them. Like hyaluronic acid, ceramides work best in conjunction with other emollient ingredients. Therefore, when looking for a skincare product that contains ceramides, ensure it is also packed with emollients such as glycerin and hyaluronic acid.