One of the problems that afflict many people is face skin dryness: your skin appears rough, flaky, cracked to the touch and chapped, especially if the problem intensifies and worsens.
The causes of dry skin on the face are due to several factors, which will soon be explained, including changes in temperature or humidity, the use of soaps containing harsh chemicals and even particular skin conditions such as eczema.
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Face skin dryness according to skin types
Dry face skin is a common condition, although obviously some people are more prone to it than others. The main skin types are: normal, dry, oily or combination skin:
- Normal face skin is neither prone to dryness nor oiliness, but many factors can cause it to feel dry.
- Dry-type face skin appears tight and slightly rougher in some areas.
- Oily-type face skin is less likely to dry out, except in the case of excessive washing or following a poor skin care routine.
- Combination face skin tends to develop dryness in certain areas of the face, especially the cheeks, while the T-zone is oily.
Read also: Snail Slime for dry skin
Signs and symptoms of both dry and very dry skin
- Dry Skin: When our face skin begins to lose moisture, dryness can make it appear tight or wrinkled.
- Very dry skin: If this initial dryness is not treated it may lead your skin to becoming very tight, flaky, cracked and itchy.
At this stage, fine lines caused by dryness may develo, hence contributing to premature ageing of the skin and the formation of wrinkles.
What are the causes of face skin dryness?
The skin naturally produces an oil called sebum. If it produces too much, the excess sebum can lead to pimples. But, in normal amounts, the sebum on the skin surfaces plays an important role because it keeps it hydrated and protects skin cells from infections.
If the skin doesn't create or replenish enough sebum it can become dry. Some potential causes of dry or dehydrated face skin are:
- cold and wind
- dry air
- exposure to harsh chemicals found in soaps or other products
- excessive cleansing or exfoliation of the face, which can deplete skin oils
- unbalanced skin pH
- skin conditions such as atopic dermatitis (eczema), seborrheic dermatitis and psoriasis
- diabetes
- hypothyroidism
- smoke
Prolonged exposure to the sun can increase face skin dryness. It is therefore important to choose a sunscreen formulated for dry skin that contains moisturizing active ingredients as well as an adequate sun protection factor (SPF).
It is also vital that sunscreen and any other skin care products used on dry skin do not contain irritating fragrances and dyes, as dry skin, especially that of the face, is more prone to irritation than normal skin.
Specific causes that provoke dry face skin
Weather Changes. When the air is dry and cold, more moisture evaporates from the skin's surface. This leads to flaking because the top layer of the skin dries out. Even summer can cause dry skin on your face, with sunburn, salt water and air conditioning stripping your pores of moisture. Skin cells are made up of proteins that dry out if not hydrated.
Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis. It causes dry patches that can also itch, become red and swollen. Eczema can impact various parts of the body but tends to occur around the eyes and nose.
The use of gentle, moisturizing products can help treat eczema on your face, even though visting a dermatologist may help you find the right treatment to prevent your symptoms from getting worse.
Contact dermatitis: This is form of eczema, better known as allergic contact dermatitis, occurs when the skin becomes sensitive to a given substance and is exposed to it more than once.
A more serious form is irritant dermatitis, caused by products like scrubs, exfoliating cleansers, masks, and acne medications containing ingredients that are too strong for your skin type.
Seborrheic dermatitis: This is another form of eczema characterized by red, itchy, flaky skin on the inside or between the eyebrows, in the creases next to the nose, or on the scalp.
Your skin might feel dry, but this condition is actually due to inflammation and occurs even in people with oily skin.
Psoriasis: Psoriasis and eczema often look similar, but they are not the same. Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease and, therefore, not caused by irritants. It does not tend to be weather dependent either.
Bacterial or fungal infections: Beneficial fungi and bacteria naturally live on the skin and inside the body. However, harmful germs can sometimes invade and cause an infection.
These skin infections are very similar to eczemas as they typically cause dry, red, cracked and itching patches on the skin. If dryness is also accompanied by painful sores, pus-filled blisters, redness that seems to be spreading, do not hesitate to see a doctor.
Read also: How to hydrate your skin
Other factors that cause face skin dryness
Genetics . Each person has a unique set of genes, which determine skin characteristics such as pigmentation, moisture and lipid levels. Under identical conditions, different people will have different moisture and lipid levels in their skin.
Light-skinned individuals are more likely to have dry skin than people with a darker complexion. Furthermore, diseases such as atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, diabetes and ichthyosis often, but not always, have a genetic origin.
Age. The skin's ability to produce sweat and lipids decreases as people age due to a reduction in the function of the sebaceous and sweat glands in the skin.
With ageing our skin becomes more prone to dryness, and, the drier the skin is, the more prone it is to dryness-induced wrinkling.
Premature skin aging. Skin ageing occurs naturally by becoming older. However, extensive and unprotected exposure to ultraviolet light can increase the pace of skin aging, thus leading to premature wrinkles.
Hormonal influences . When hormone levels change, for example during adolescence and menopause, the skin's water balance can be affected. During menopause the amount of estrogen in the body is reduced and this can make the skin dry. Dry skin can also occur during pregnancy.
Diet. To function properly, our skin requires a range of nutrients, unsaturated fatty acids and vitamins. A lack of any of these substances can contribute to dry skin.
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Dry face skin: what remedies?
There are several "home" remedies you can follow to lessen the effects of dry skin on your face . If this is your case, adopting and putting them into practice every day will improve the condition of your skin.
Use a gentle facial cleanser
Some facial cleansers can over-cleanse the skin and make it drier. Instead, a gentle sulfate-free cleanser and a specific soap for the face can help keep the skin's pH balanced.
Do not wash your face with too hot water
Very hot, steamy water can be harmful to your skin, making it sensitive. For a more delicate cleansing of your face skin , make sure that the water temperature is lukewarm and test it first with a finger.
Moisturize your skin every day
Some moisturizers and other skin care products contain drying agents that can make face skin dryness even worse. In general, you should avoid products that contain:
- alcohol
- artificial perfumes or colors
- dioxane
- petrolatum
- sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS)
- those that are derived from mineral oil, including petroleum and paraffin
- parabens
- diethanolamine (DEA)
- monoethanolamine (MEA)
- triethanolamine (TEA)
Instead, choose natural moisturizers that contain:
- pure aloe vera gel
- coconut oil
- shea butter
Use the right cream
Moisturizers, ointments and creams improve the natural protective function of the skin, promoting water retention. Look for products that contain humectants, such as glycerin and hyaluronic acid, which can bind or effectively retain water, as well as ingredients that help repair the skin barrier, such as niacinamide and ceramides.
Exfoliate to remove excess dry skin
The skin naturally produces new cells. When dead skin cells remain on the surface, you may notice patches and clogged pores. An exfoliator can help remove dead skin cells, hence reducing blemishes and improving overall skin texture.
Exfoliators can be either mechanical or chemical. Mechanical exfoliators include:
- cleaning brushes
- exfoliating wipes
- face scrubs like snail slime scrub
This form of exfoliation works by physically removing dead skin cells from the skin's surface.
Chemical exfoliants include:
- alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs), which dissolve dead cells on the skin's surface
- beta-hydroxy acids (BHAs), which penetrate the deeper layers of the skin to remove dead skin cells from the pores
Both AHAs and BHAs stimulate cell renewal, which helps keep the skin soft and supple.
Take care of dry ageing skin
As the skin ages, dryness and damage from ultraviolet rays contribute to the development of wrinkles, loss of volume, density and radiance of the skin.
Additionally, ageing skin often requires deep hydration to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and prevent the formation of new ones.
How to prevent dry skin on the face
Is it possible to prevent the problem of dry skin on the face? There are some precautions and even some habits you can adopt:
- Wash your face daily with a mild cleanser
- Choose skin care products that suit your skin type: oily, dry or combination
- Use a sunscreen every day
- Apply a moisturizer after bathing or after washing your face
- Use lukewarm water to wash your face and bathe
- Drink plenty of water
- Limit your caffeine intake
- Limit direct sunlight
- Avoid artificial tanning
- Use a humidifier in your home
- Stop smoking
Avoid factors that cause dry face skin
We have so far dealt with treatments, tricks and remedies that can be used and followed for dry face skin. But, if possible, you would probably like to avoid those factors that contribute to dry skin so as to minimize the problem.
- Avoid dry air by spending less time outdoors in hot and cold climates and by using a humidifier indoors when the heat is on. If your job involves spending a lot of time outdoors, use an organic face cream to protect your skin.
- Use skin care products that are free of fragrances, dyes and parabens to preventt skin irritation.
Dry to very dry face skin needs the right cleansers, moisturizers and sunscreens.
The organic face cream with 72% snail slime
Among our products you will find Anti- Ageing Cream Nuvò, a snail slime cream enriched with anti-ageing and moisturising ingredients. A gentle, dermatologically tested and certified organic product.
The cream is useful for dry face skin, but also for sensitive, combination and dehydrated skin. It fights skin ageing and deeply nourishes the skin, carrying out a protective and soothing action thanks to the synergy of its 10 active natural ingredients:
- Snail slime
- Hyaluronic acid
- Mango butter
- Argan oil, rice oil and grape seed oil
- Aloe vera
- Vitamin B5 and Vitamin E
- Red seaweed
