Dry Skin - The 7th Sign of Aging Skin

vivantskincare.com

What is dry skin?
Dry Skin is the 7th Sign of Aging Skin. Dry skin is a condition where the upper most layer of skin is unable to perform its primary role of absorbing and retaining moisture. It becomes course, dusty, flaky and has an inconsistent feel or texture.

What causes it?
Dry skin is caused by several conditions acting alone or in tandem. It is can be caused by sun damage, bad or harsh skin care products and irritants. It can be aggravated by poor skin care habits and poor hygiene. Some product contain strong chemicals which irritate or dry out skin. Examples of chemicals that are drying include alcohol and menthol. Poor habits include neglecting to exfoliate regularly which can result in reduced skin cell turn-over. Old or dead skin cells need to be replaced regularly with younger, healthier ones. This process can be accelerated or encouraged using good skin care products.

What can be done to prevent dry skin?
There are several things we can do to prevent and avoid dry skin:

1) Keep away from bar soaps because they have a tendency to over-dry the skin
2) Don't use harsh detergents and other chemicals that can irritate or dehydrate the skin
3) Some cosmetics ingredients are extremely harsh and can dry out the skin. Examples include alcohols, menthol, citric acid, lime, lemon and fragrances.
4) Hot water should be avoided completely. Instead use mild or lukewarm water
5) Limit you bath period to only a few minutes as prolonged immersion in water damages the skins natural structure.
6) Use gentle cleansers and avoid microderm abrasion (scrubs) with ingredients such as apricot that are harsh on the skin.
7) Be conscious of the type of sponge you use. Soft cloth or foam sponges are better than rough net sponges.
8) Avoid scented products. Always look out for the words "fragrance free". Perfumes and fragrances contain many types of chemicals which are skin irritants.
9) To help boost your skin health eat foods that are rich in Omega 3 like sardines, fish and walnuts.

How can you treat dry skin?
For you to battle dry skin it is necessary to upgrade your skin care arsenal. Here are a few ways to do that;

1) Invest time and money in quality skin care products. Get the best performing products you can afford.
2) Avoid the sun whenever possible and use broad spectrum sun filters.
3) Exfoliate as regularly as possible to help your skin shed dry and dead cells.
4) Many natural plant oils are excellent moisturizer with amazing benefits for skin health. Examples include avocado, jojoba, castor oil and olive oil.
5) Moisturize immediately after a bath to ensure your skin retains as much moisture as possible.
6) Always ensure that you cream or lotion has sufficient sun protection.

The Final Word
When looking out for skin care products concentrate on products with the following ingredient: mineral oil, shea butter,cocoa butter, glycerin, stearic acid, dimethicone, hyaluronic acid, lanolin, jojoba and lactic acid

Resources: webmd.com; mayoclinic.com; aad.org; livestrong.com; cosmopolitan.com