You can have normal/combination, dry, sensitive or even oily skin, and still have the added challenge of dehydrated skin. The fall and winter months can be major contributors to that flaky, itchy and scaly skin. Why, you ask.
Dehydration of the skin is a loss of water through the elements like wind, sun, changes in temperature and environment. Moisture can evaporate the skin rapidly when exposed to extremes of the environment. Some signs of this are tightness, fine lines, lack of radiance, and loss of elasticity.
When your skin becomes dehydrated it becomes compromised in its ability to provide a good barrier against the environment. Until your skin is kept in a fairly constant hydrated or moist state, the cells cannot function properly.
Internal hydration is essential but the environment is still constantly robbing your skin of essential moisture. Unless you live in the tropics, your skin is susceptible to this surface dehydration. Once this drying occurs, it’s like placing a drop of water on a dry sponge, the water’s surface tension is not broken and the water just sits there on the sponge unable to be absorbed. Now if we take the same sponge and dampen it, the water will immediately be absorbed…so it is with your skin.
Most skin conditions get worse in the winter months because there’s not as much humidity in the outer layer of the skin. When the cells in the outer layer get dry, their edges curl up and the skin gets a rough feeling. This is a good reason to use a Murad Step 2 Treatment targeted to your skin type or condition. Some of these treatment products help gently exfoliate those dull, dry excess skin cells, some supply rich nutrients to repair skin. A couple we suggest for those winter months are:
- Intensive Wrinkle Reducer—promotes gentle exfoliation, while balancing skin hydration with Durian Fruit extract; a natural, water balancing botanical nutrient. A great day time treatment product when you skin is most exposed to environmental challenges.
- City Skin Night Treatment—this Vitamin C enriched, nighttime repairing treatment not only helps the repair your skin during the essential sleep cycle, but also is rich in antioxidants and epidermal growth factor to help repair and heal stressed, irritated skin.
Most people think skin gets dry because it lacks oil,
is that true?
That dry, tight feeling is actually an indicator that the skin is not retaining the proper moisture balance. A big reason is due to environmental changes and assaults. It’s not that the skin lacks oil, but because it is lacking water.
So, how do you identify dehydrated skin? Here are some common indicators:
- Skin complexion is dull and lifeless
- Texture is hard and leathery
- Patches of flaky skin is visible
- Fine lines around the upper/lower lip chin, surface lines on cheeks and forehead
- The skin does not have a supple, responsive feel, rather when the skin is pressed, it does not bounce back quickly
Here are some key tips to help “winterize” your skin:
- Combat the effects of dry indoor heat by lowering the temperature
- Use a humidifier. Air inside your home becomes very dry in winter, especially if your windows are closed and the heat is on. A humidifier will replace moisture in the air. A good rule to remember is if your turn up the heat, turn on the humidifier.
- Don’t take long hot showers. Frequent long hot showers remove the oils from your skin, making it dry and itchy. Instead, take luke-warm showers for less than 10 minutes. Pat (do not rub!) your skin until it is just moist, and put on an emollient body cream, such as Murad’s Body Firming Cream, to seal in the moisture in your skin. This will decrease dryness and itch. Also, if you take baths add oils to the bath water, as this will help replenish the oils in your skin.
- Drink plenty of water.
- Skin needs to be hydrated from the inside also. A great addition to help cells retain water and protect against further damage is Murad’s Wet Suit Dietary Supplement.
- Use a lip balm daily with an SPF to help prevent chapped lips. Murad’s Pomegranate Lip Care SPF 15 is an excellent choice for daily protection. At nighttime, to help heal and repair the delicate lip area, or any irritated areas on your skin reach for Murad’s Soothing Skin and Lip Care.
If you love your facial moisturizer and notice it’s not working quite as well during the winter months, a simple solution is to give your routine a moisture enhancing “boost”. Here are some ideal solutions:
- Sensitive Skin Soothing Serum— This Hyaluronic Acid based, water loving serum will help enhance moisture retention in the deeper layers of the skin. Hyaluronic Acid can bind up to 1000 times it’s weight in water. Just mix a few drops in with your moisturizer and your skin will become better balanced and less dehydrated. Think of this as a “drink of water” for your skin.
- Perfecting Serum— This ceramide rich serum helps keep the vital water balance on the outermost areas of the skin, where the environmental assaults attack first. Providing a healthy barrier against environmental assaults and preventing water loss will give your skin that smooth, radiant and hydrated finish you have been searching for. Apply a very small amount over your moisturizer to prevent water loss and soothe irritated skin. It is the perfect primer before applying your make-up or sun protection.
- Remember to use Sun Protection. Even though it is cold, your skin is still vulnerable to damage from the suns UV rays. Murad’s Age-Proof Suncare provides UVA/UVB protection and is enriched with Pomegranate Extract for increased antioxidant protection.
- Care for any cracks or fissures in your skin. Severely dry skin is more likely to split and bleed. It is also less effective against infection. Use Murad’s Soothing Skin and Lip Care on areas of abraded or split skin.
- Pay special attention to your hands and feet. With constant use and exposure, your hands always need attention, but even more so in. After washing your hands, immediately put on Murad’s Body Firming Cream to seal in moisture. If your hands get severely dry during the winter months, try covering them with a thin layer of Murad’s Soothing Skin and Lip Care before bed, and cover them with light cotton gloves. While you sleep, the gloves will help the Soothing Skin and Lip Care penetrate your dry skin, and assist in retaining moisture. You can do the same thing with dry cracks on your feet, by using the Soothing Skin and Lip Care, and wearing socks overnight to seal in moisture.
A few minutes a day personalizing your moisturizing routine and taking these extra precautions below, can help you avoid the unpleasant, flaky skin you’ve had during past winters.
