The skin, in itself, has a natural moisturiser called sebum. Dry skin occurs when your skin fails to produce enough sebum. This uncomfortable condition manifests by a lack of moisture and lustre, leading to itchy and flaky skin. This can be an uncomfortable as well as an unaesthetic condition and may lead to further dermatological problems. Dermatologists prescribe a meticulous skincare routine for dry and sensitive skin.
Numerous factors can cause moisture to be lost from the skin surface, like cold weather and low humidity, prolonged sun exposure, the use of incorrect/harsh, high-concentration formulations, genetic predisposition, and lifestyle practices can lead to dry skin and contribute to moisture loss as well.
Why is moisturising key for your dry skin?
Our skin needs an external moisturiser when it cannot retain or maintain consistent moisture levels naturally. Moisturisation helps the skin in more than one way. Firstly, it lowers the chances of skin-related issues. If your skin is too dry or too oily, it may lead to various skin problems, such as dermatitis or acne. Experts advise using a moisturiser specifically designed for your skin type to help maintain the optimum moisture balance of your skin. Dermatologists recommend using cream-based moisturisers for dry skin as they have a higher oil content, whereas a lighter lotion is suggested for oily skin.
Secondly, moisturising helps keep your skin looking young and fresh. The skin on the face, ears, and neck is relatively more sensitive and gets damaged more easily. Sunlight, dust, smoke, and harsh weather conditions cause further damage to the skin. By choosing the right formulation for your skin, you can fight these problems and get healthier skin. Most importantly, moisturised skin reduces fine lines and wrinkles. Dry skin over a long duration may lead to wrinkles, making you look older. By following a skincare routine which includes a well-chosen formulation, you can reduce wrinkles and fine lines to a minimum.
Increase your skin’s moisture levels with high-science
The main motive behind following a meticulous skin care regime is to revolutionise the way your skin looks and feels. You should use ingredients in a way that maximises each of their effects to see visible results on your skin’s moisture content. For a proper skincare regimen targeting moisturisation, you should follow these steps:
Choose the right cleanser
Keeping the skin clean is the most crucial part of your skincare regimen. It allows the pores to breathe and absorb your toners and serums much more effectively. Use a gentle cleanser for your skin. If you are wearing makeup, ensure you remove it with a cleanser or makeup remover before using a face wash. It is recommended to choose a cleanser designed for your skin type.
Exfoliate with the right ingredients
Loss of moisture and dry skin arises as a result of the accumulation of dead cells. Hence, regular exfoliation of the skin is necessary. Use a gentle exfoliator to remove dead cells with ingredients that do not harm your skin in the long run.
Don’t miss out on the toner
After cleansing your skin, the first thing you should apply is toner. Experts recommend choosing a toner for your specific skin type here as well. Toning not only tightens the pores but also removes any impurities left after cleansing. It also balances the oils of your skin, thus improving the moisture-retaining capacity of the skin pores.
Start using eye creams
The skin around our eyes is very delicate and is often the first to reflect the signs of dryness associated with ageing. Eye creams help target issues such as dark circles, puffiness, etc. Eye creams should be applied before you apply a moisturiser.
Choose your moisturiser wisely
A good moisturiser not only hydrates your skin but also penetrates the deeper layers to ensure its ingredients work effectively on your skin. Your moisturiser should contain a smart blend of occlusives and humectants, which create a protective barrier on your skin and hydrate on deeper levels, thus locking the moisture in.
Keep sun protection in mind
Apply sunscreen as a part of your daytime skincare routine to protect your skin from harmful UV rays, dust, and pollution. Make sure the sunscreen contains at least 30 SPF. Dermatologists recommend applying sunscreen at least 15 minutes before heading outdoors since it takes time for the sunscreen to get activated on the skin.
Avoid harsh ingredients
Avoid using irritating and harsh ingredients like citrus oil, peppermint oil, menthol, denatured alcohol, sodium lauryl sulphate, etc., as they can destroy the skin’s natural protective barrier.
Take warm, short showers
Although hot showers are relaxing and pleasing, they take away moisture from your skin. You should take short warm showers to retain your skin’s moisture.
Get a humidifier
If you stay in a place with dry weather, use a humidifier to balance the humidity of the surrounding air. This helps your skin maintain its moisture levels to some extent and does not allow the weather to dry out your skin.
Skin moisturisation: All in all
Dry skin due to moisture loss can be uncomfortable, painful at times, and inconvenient. Getting rid of dry skin may curb your risk of developing additional dermatological problems. Choose formulations made for your skin type, and follow the above skincare routine to rejuvenate your skin. Cleansing, exfoliation, using serums and eye creams, moisturising, applying sunscreen, and most importantly, avoiding harsh formulations and ingredients are some of the essential steps in a skincare routine for maintaining and improving skin moisturisation.
