The turn of the seasons has arrived. The colors of the leaves have changed and soon, Jack Frost will be nipping at your nose. For many Georgians, painful skin on their hands, face, arms and elbows have started to crack under the dry, cold pressure of fall. How can you evade the icy air this year and keep your skin as supple as silk? By using the right moisturizer, of course.
Moisturizer Misconceptions
Clearing up a few misconceptions could also be the key to clearing up your skin. If you have ever felt like your skin is persistently dry, not matter how much product you apply, then you may be overdue for a lifestyle change. These common moisturizing mistakes may be the cause of your dermal discomfort.
Sealants
If your skin is feeling dry, don’t reach for Vaseline. For years, sealants like Vaseline and coconut oil have been mistaken for moisturizers by the average consumer. While applying a healthy layer of Vaseline to cracked hands feels relieving at first, regular use of these products in place of a moisturizer can cause persistent damage to the epidermis. This is because oils that are found in sealants repel water. While they also repel external irritants and create a slippery barrier that soothes pain and itching, it also ensures that the skin underneath remains unnourished.
However, using a sealant daily won’t be harmful if done correctly. In fact, the moisturizing method of slugging has recently gained notoriety based on the science of sealants. The point of a sealant is that it seals in the water and lipids that keeps your skin moisturized.
The proper way to use a sealant is to wet your skin with a moisturizing factor (like water, serums, aloe vera gel, or lotion) followed up by a light application of the sealant. Sealing your hands after washing them also works because water has been reintroduced to the skin. Your skin can even be wet during a sealant application.
Showers
There is little that compares to the feeling of a hot shower on a cold morning, but they could be the culprit behind your chronically dry skin. Although your skin feels softer after a nice hot bath, the intense heat may actually be causing long term damage to your dermal layer.
Hot showers strip away the natural sebum found in your skin by disrupting your body’s natural moisture levels. Even though you don’t notice it, you’re still sweating through that extra hot shower and expelling all of your skin’s moisturizing factors. This is an overreaction that not only drains the skin of its nutrients, but also triggers inflammation and eczema.
Try keeping a mild temperature if you have previously preferred your baths to be ripping hot. If you’re unwilling to part with the sensation of a steamy morning shower, try reducing the heat for the last five minutes of your morning wash.
Drinking Water
Those of us who frequently run in online beauty circles may be, understandably, rolling their eyes at this one. However, the truth of the matter is that drinking an adequate amount of water does make a huge difference in skin volume. While this may seem like a no brainer, simply getting your allotted 2.7-3.7 liters of water a day may not be cutting it. The secret to a well balanced body lies in electrolytes. These seemingly insignificant molecules regulate the amount of fluid present in your body’s cells. Sound familiar?
Balancing out your electrolytes could be the difference between glowing skin and just having to pee a lot. While you may be tempted to reach for a sweet and sodium heavy Gatorade, investing in a bottle of electrolyte balanced water like Smart Water or Essentia will do the trick. Sports drinks aren’t bad for you, per se, but the addition of sugar and potassium won’t replace H2O. These drinks are suggested after an intense workout or illness wherein your body desperately needs the nutrient levels present (otherwise, they may strain your kidneys over time).
Eating a well balanced diet of nutrient rich fruits and vegetables in addition to meeting your daily water requirement will work wonders, too. If you’re looking for a quick bottle of something to hydrate you though, the naturally occurring electrolytes in balanced water will do just fine.
Key Ingredients to Close the Cracks
Some ingredients have proven to be more helpful than others. With an endless array of products to choose from, it can be hard to decide which ones suit your skin best. This helpful guide of active ingredients can wipe away any fear your feel while browsing the skincare aisle.
Hyaluronic Acid
If your dry skin is often painful and sudden, then hyaluronic acid may work for you.
Hyaluronic acid is the most abundant polymer compound found in the human body. Due to its naturally high occurrence, hyaluronic acid can be applied topically to the skin all over your body, including the under-eye and lips. The magic of hyaluronic acid is found in its humectant abilities. When applied topically, the compound draws moisture from the air and tissue, and into the cells of the skin. It also makes use of water that has been ingested, which also leads to clear skin from drinking water.
Ceramides
If your dry skin looks dull and lifeless, then ceramides may come to your rescue.
Ceramides are a key component to glowing skin. They help to preserve and link the fats and lipids that make up 30-40% of your skin barrier. This means that maintaining a proper balance of ceramides can keep your skin moisturized and damage-free. Products containing ceramides have commonly been used to treat aging, dark spots, enlarged pores and dry skin. Ceramides also repel acne causing germs and retain water, preventing further harm while treating problem areas.
Essential Fatty Acids
If your dry skin seems tight and irritated, then essential fatty acids may be the boost you need.
Omega 3s and Omega 6s are the building blocks of healthy cell membranes. It is crucial to the development of healthy skin cells, which is doubly important when the frequency of skin cell turnover is considered. Essential fatty acids have shown remarkable results when applied topically, but can also be ingested in order to reap the benefits. Fish like mackerel, salmon and herring are well known for their abundance of docosahexaenoic acids. Vegetables like flaxseed, sunflower seeds, avocados, tofu and tempeh are also high in fatty acid chains.
Silicone
If you find that your skin struggles to retain water after it has been moisturized, then silicone may be the solution you have been looking for.
Siloxanes and other types of silicones are technically a sealant. Like other previously mentioned sealants, Silicone creates a barrier between your skin and the environmental factors that dry them out. Unlike other sealants, silicone has been directly proven to influence skin hydration and boost its ability to benefit from antioxidants. This is because silicone is air and water permeable, allowing things like sweat and sebum to be released from the skin naturally without inhibiting the ability to absorb serums and vitamins. The release of sebum through your pores may seem like a downside, but it actually helps regulate your natural biome and reduce overactive or underactive glandular responses. People with combination skin have found success using silica and silicone based moisturizers in order to even out their skin over time. Siloxane also creates a blurring effect on the skin that helps to alleviate the appearance of fine lines while plumping up dehydrated skin.
Dryness, Defeated
There are several small ways to beat the dry skin blues this fall. Whether it is as simple as changing a lifestyle pattern or revamping the products on your vanity, this article can help you take your next big step towards healthy skin. Don’t forget to check in with a dermatologist if your skin concerns persist or if you have sensitive skin. Stay soft and cozy with the skin you’re in this holiday season.
