What is dry skin? How many types of dry skin are there?
The skin is one of our most important defensive barriers. When we talk about dry skin, we are talking about poorly nourished skin and, therefore, it cannot effectively fulfil its barrier function.
Dry skin causes unpleasant and annoying sensations to those who suffer from it. The skin tightens, becomes rough, itches or burns and even peels. These symptoms can vary depending on the level of dryness that the person who suffers from it has and on many occasions, these irregularities of the skin can become more serious than the dryness itself since, in addition, this type of skin favours the appearance of eczema and atopic dermatitis.
Within dry skin, three types of dryness are distinguished according to their state:
Dry Skin: Characterised by temporary discomfort, a feeling of tightness and light flaking.
Very Dry Skin: In this state, both discomfort and tightness are more marked and peeling, cracking and fissures in the skin are more intense.
Pre-atopic xerosis: It is rough and rough skin with patches of extreme dryness and light irritations.
Do you get the feeling that your skin will always be dehydrated no matter what you do? Skin dehydration can be caused by pollution, an unbalanced diet or aggressive cosmetics that damage it. These are the 5 signs that dehydrated skin shows.
1. Dull appearance
Does your skin look dull and grey every day when you wake up? When your skin is dehydrated, the function that causes the skin to shed its outer layer of dead cells is impaired, leaving your complexion looking dull and dull.
2. It looks oily but feels dry
Dehydrated skin inadequately retains water levels. When it feels that it is losing hydration, it automatically produces more fat to balance it, trying to create a mechanism that prevents water loss. That is why it is possible that you feel patchy, with drier areas and more oily areas.
3. Sensitivity
When the skin is not properly hydrated, its protective barrier does not work as it should and it has a harder time-fighting bacteria and the effects of pollution. This can lead to increased sensitivity, even to the cosmetics you like best.
4. Fine lines and wrinkles
If one day you look in the mirror and detect new lines and wrinkles, it is probably not due to ageing but to the dehydration of your skin. Just like fruit, when the skin loses water, its surface loses elasticity, creases appear and it stops looking young.
5. Irritation and peeling
Air conditioning or excess cold and heat affect the skin’s hydration levels and can lead to peeling or even itching.
How to remedy it
1. Cleanser
Use a gentle, hydrating, alcohol-free cleanser. Make sure that the cleaning does not take too long so as not to expose it excessively to hot water or the cleaning agents present in its formula, which can make it even more dehydrated.
2. Moisturising Masks
Boost your skin’s hydration and restore its natural radiance by using a moisturising mask. This type of mask restores the protective barrier of the skin with oils, moisturising agents and butter that provide it with intense hydration and generate a protective veil that prevents water loss.
3. Hyaluronic Acid
Use moisturising cosmetics with hyaluronic acid, which works miracles on your skin by boosting its hydration and making it feel softer and juicier.
