What causes dry skin?

What causes dry skin?

How do you recognize dehydrated skin?

Dehydrated skin can affect all skin types at some stage in life. It can affect sensitive, combination, oily and normal skin.

It's a temporary, reversible phenomenon characterized by a localized, punctual sensation of tightness, due to a lack of water and poor water binding to the skin layer.

Skin dehydration is characterized by uncomfortable, rough, sometimes flaky facial skin and a lack of radiance. Fine lines and wrinkles are also more pronounced due to a lack of moisture.

Dehydrated skin can appear oily and dry at the same time, as it overproduces sebum to compensate for the lack of moisture.

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What causes dehydration and how can it be treated?

Skin dehydration can be caused by various external and internal factors, such as :

  • Environmental factors
Wind, cold, heat, pollution and low-humidity environments (such as air-conditioned or heated spaces) can remove moisture from the skin.
  • Lifestyle
Insufficient water intake, a diet low in fresh fruit and vegetables, excessive caffeine or alcohol consumption, and smoking can all contribute to skin dehydration.
  • Inappropriate skin care
The use of overly aggressive or scouring cleansers, excessive exfoliation or insufficient application of moisturizing care can disrupt the hydrolipidic film of the skin and increase its water loss.
  • Physiological factors

Certain health conditions, hormonal changes and age can also influence skin moisture levels.

Dehydrated skin can therefore be treated by increasing water intake to help replenish the skin's moisture from within, using adapted moisturizing skin care products rich in hyaluronic acid, ceramides, fatty acids and cholesterol, and controlling the environment (avoiding overly aggressive cleansers, adopting a healthy lifestyle and eating a diet rich in antioxidants).

 

How do you recognize dry skin?

Dry skin is a skin condition, like oily skin. It is therefore not a reversible symptom.

This type of skin is caused by dysfunction of the sebaceous glands, responsible for sebum production. As a result, the skin lacks fatty substances (lipids) and cannot protect itself effectively against external aggressions.

dry skin

 

What causes dry skin?

Dry skin is a skin condition caused by various external factors.

  • Disruption of the hydrolipidic film

The cutaneous barrier is made up of a hydrolipidic film that plays a crucial role in protecting the skin against external aggression. This barrier is a complex mixture of lipids and water.

In dry skin, this barrier is altered. The skin's ability to retain moisture diminishes, leading to increased water loss and consequent dryness. Fatty acids are also in short supply, affecting the integrity of the skin barrier.

  • External factors

External aggressors such as wind, sun, cold and pollution can damage the skin's top layer. What's more, frequent use of soaps and cleansers can also disrupt the skin's natural pH and strip away its natural oils, leading to even drier skin.

  • Insufficient hydration

Drinking too little water throughout the day can lead to general dehydration, which also affects skin hydration. Internal hydration is just as important as external hydration in maintaining healthy, radiant skin.

  • Imbalance in sebaceous gland production

Insufficient sebum production by the sebaceous glands can also be a cause of dry skin.

  • Age

With age, the sebaceous glands produce less sebum, which can lead to a reduction in the skin's natural moisture content, making it drier and more fragile.

  • Genetic factors

Some people are naturally predisposed to dry skin due to their genetics, which can influence the composition of lipids in the skin and its ability to retain moisture.

 

How to treat dry skin

Treatment of dry skin aims to restore hydration, strengthen the skin barrier and relieve symptoms such as itching, tightness and flaking.

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Here are some effective ways to treat dry skin.

  • Reinforce the lipid barrier

To reinforce the hydrolipidic film and combat dry skin, it's crucial to choose products containing ingredients that nourish, repair and moisturize the skin. The hydrolipidic film is a thin layer on the skin's surface, composed mainly of sweat, sebum and water, acting as a protective barrier against external aggressions and maintaining the skin's hydration.

Here is a list of beneficial ingredients to reinforce this protective film and improve skin hydration:

Ceramides

Ceramides are essential lipids that help restore the skin barrier and retain moisture. They reinforce the hydrolipidic film by replenishing the skin's natural lipids, which are depleted with age and environmental aggressions.

Essential fatty acids (Omega-3 and Omega-6)

Fatty acids, such as those found in fish, flax and borage oils, are crucial to maintaining the integrity of the skin barrier. They help reduce inflammation and nourish dry skin, making it more resistant to external aggressors.

Glycerine

Glycerin is a powerful humectant that draws water into the skin's upper layer, helping to maintain hydration and support the hydrolipidic film. It is particularly effective in moisturizing the skin.

Hyaluronic acid

This ingredient is capable of retaining up to 1000 times its weight in water, contributing significantly to skin hydration and volume. Hyaluronic acid helps hydrate the skin's surface layers and reinforce the hydrolipidic film.

Shea butter

Rich in fatty acids and vitamins, shea butter is an excellent emollient that helps nourish skin and restore the lipid barrier, while offering protection against external aggressors.

Vegetable oils

Vegetable oils (such as sweet almond oil, jojoba oil, argan oil and coconut oil) are rich in vitamins and essential fatty acids. They help moisturize, nourish and protect the skin by reinforcing the hydrolipidic film.

Niacinamide (Vitamin B3)

Niacinamide strengthens the skin barrier, improves skin elasticity, and increases ceramide production. It also has anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce the redness and irritation associated with dry skin.

Aloe vera

Aloe vera has moisturizing, soothing and healing properties. It helps calm irritation and deeply moisturize, supporting the skin's hydrolipidic film.

By incorporating products containing these ingredients into your skin care routine morning and night, you can effectively reinforce the hydrolipidic film, improve hydration, and combat skin dryness. It's important to choose products suited to your skin type and to carry out skin tests to avoid allergic reactions, especially if you have sensitive skin.

  • Changing bathing habits
Prefer lukewarm rather than hot showers or baths, as hot water can strip the skin of its natural oils and aggravate dryness. Limit the time spent in the shower or bath to 5-10 minutes and use mild cleanerssoap-free, unscented, designed for dry or sensitive skin. 
  • Bringing about environmental change

Use a humidifier to increase humidity in living spaces, especially in winter when heating can dry out the air. Protect your skin from the cold, wind and sun by wearing appropriate clothing and applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen, even during the winter months.

  • Adopt a healthy diet

Eat foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as oily fish (salmon, mackerel), chia seeds, walnuts and linseed oil, which can help strengthen the skin barrier. Drink enough water throughout the day to help hydrate your skin from the inside out.

 

Treating dry skin requires a holistic approach that includes topical care, lifestyle adjustments and, if necessary, medical interventions to address and relieve symptoms.
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