Is Dry Skin Reversible?

You look in the mirror and your skin looks so dull. You have dry skin and no matter how much water you drink or moisturizer you apply it doesn’t seem to get any better.

 

You start to wonder: 

Is Dry Skin Reversible?  Dry skin is reversible or at least, can be greatly improved with the consistent application of moisturizers and avoidance of harsh irritants and stressors.  Moisturizer should include humectants, emollients, antioxidants and regular application of SPF.   Irritants include over exfoliation and using products with perfumes.

 

The search for quality skincare these days is overwhelming, to say the least. There are so many creams, lotions, and potions on the market that it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.  Today we will discuss everything dry skin related.  By the time you're done reading this article you’ll know how to care for your dry skin, what ingredients to look for in products and additional tips for glowing skin. 

 

Understanding How to Moisturize

It seems everywhere we turn, in every medium, drinking water and maintaining hydration is talked about at great length. Your skin is no different.

 

Your skin is the largest organ of your body, and in order for it to function properly and look its best, it requires adequate hydration and moisturization. And like all of the other organs of your body, it also needs proper nutrition. 

 

Adaptogens Superfruits Moisturizer from Piperberry is a well-balanced moisturizer that combines both nutrients and hydration for optimal skin health.

 

We spend a lot of time focused on the proper care of the internal parts of our bodies. It’s time we start focusing on arguably our most important body part.

 

“This fleshy covering does a lot more than make us look presentable. 

In fact, without it, we'd literally evaporate. 

Skin acts as a waterproof, insulating shield, guarding 

the body against extremes of temperature, damaging sunlight, and harmful chemicals.”

From: National Geographic

How to Identify Your Skin Type

The first step to finding the right moisturizer for your skin is to know what your skin needs. In order to do this, you must know your skin type.

There are five basic skin types. Your skin can be normal, sensitive, oily, dry, or combination skin. 

“Skin types are complex and ever-changing. Many factors influence your skin type, 

including your environment, hormones, genetic inclinations, diet, stress, 

and sun exposure. When determining where your skin falls in the skin type spectrum, it’s important to keep these factors in mind.”

Source: skinvision.com

 

Skin types are different from skin conditions. Your skin type is what will determine your daily cleansing and moisturizing routine. Skin conditions, such as acne and rosacea, exist in addition to your skin type and will require additional treatment, usually at the recommendation of a dermatologist.

 

WebMD explains that skin type can change over time. Normal skin tends to be more prevalent in younger people. Your skin type depends on different factors such as moisture (effecting the comfort and elasticity of your skin), oil levels (which affect the softness), and your skin’s sensitivity.

Normal Skin

Normal skin types are in between oily and dry. They are not too dry and not too oily. There is healthy blood circulation and an average production of sebum, the natural oils your body produces. Essentially, normal skin is healthy skin.

 

Normal Skin generally has these characteristics:

• No sensitivity
• Almost invisible pores
• No skin conditions
• Has a natural glow that is not shiny
• Even and balanced skin tone

Sensitive Skin

Dr. Leslise Baumann, a world-renowned dermatologist, describes sensitive skin as skin that is prone to inflammation. Sensitive skin is prone to skin conditions such as rosacea and acne.

 

Sensitive skin can become irritated and stressed when exposed to certain triggers such as heat, alcohol, and friction. Sensitive skin is the hardest to handle, and it is recommended that before you start any skin care regimen that you first do an appropriate patch test to see how you react.

 

Sensitive skin generally has these characteristics:

• Redness
• Uneven skin tone
• Burning
• Itching
• Flushing
• Extreme dryness
• Sensitivity to weather

Oily Skin

Oily skin is most recognizable by its greasy or overly shiny appearance. The t-zone, or the forehead, nose, and chin, is generally where most of the oil appears.

 

Oily skin is a result of your body producing excess sebum. Your skin may become more oily as a result of stress, hormones, or hot and humid weather.

 

Signs you have oily skin include:

• Prone to breakouts and blackheads
• Greasy appearance
• Large pores
• Thick complexion

 

It is important to remember that oily skin still needs to be hydrated. Just because it has excess oil, it does not mean that the skin is well moisturized. 

 

“Oily skin can still be dry because oil and water are two different things.”

Dr. Doris Day Today.com

Dry Skin

Dry skin often feels tight due to its lack of moisture. Dry skin can be caused by several things such as aging, exposure to the sun, and hot showers.

 

Dry skin is severely dehydrated and lacks the appropriate oil production necessary to maintain balanced moisturization.

 

Signs you have dry skin include:

• Small pores
• Visible lines
• Dull Complexion
• Flaking
• Red patches
• Rough feeling
• Scaly

Combination Skin

Combination skin can actually be one of two things. There is some debate as to what exactly constitutes combination skin.

 

Because seasonal changes can affect your skin type, it is possible for you to have combination skin if you experience dry skin in the winter months and oily skin during the heat and humidity of summer. This is one example of oily skin.

 

The second and more common way to have combination skin is if you have a particularly oily t-zone area while also having very dry skin patches in the cheeks. Having large areas that show symptoms of dry and oily skin generally put you in the category of having combination skin.

What Causes Dry Skin?

Dry skin is most commonly caused by genetics and hormonal changes, as well as aging. These are risk factors that we can not necessarily change, but instead, make sure we treat correctly.

 

However, there are many other external and environmental factors that can cause our skin to become dry, dull, itchy, and flaky. Becoming aware of what may be causing your dry skin will be helpful in the treatment and prevention of skin dryness.

 

Some common and overlooked risk factors for dry skin are:

 

1. Cold Weather/Wind Damage -- Severely cold weather and wind can cause your skin to dry out quickly and become “chapped.” During the winter, or if you live in a very cold climate, it is likely that your skin will become drier and will need extra moisture and hydration.
2. Dry Air -- When there is a lack of humidity in the air, this can wreak havoc on the moisture levels in your skin. Dry air can be both outside or inside your home. During the winter months, for example, most of the ways we heat our homes cause the humidity levels to decrease dramatically and can severely dry out the skin.
3. Washing too Much/Harsh Soaps -- Our bodies produce a natural moisturizer called sebum. These oils maintain a balance in moisture in the skin. Washing too frequently or using soaps that strip your skin of its natural oils can dry out your skin quickly.
4. Sun Exposure -- It is no secret that prolonged exposure to the sun can cause extensive UV damage. It also causes dry skin. Spending time under the sun will significantly increase your risk of dry skin.
5. Chlorine – If you are an avid swimmer, or spend a lot of time swimming in the summer, keep in mind that chlorinated pools have very drying effects on your skin.
6. Your Water/Hard Water – If you are bathing and washing your face in hard water, the minerals that contribute to the water’s hardness are known to have a negative impact on your skin’s moisture levels. Hard water can also leave a residue on the skin, preventing the absorption of your moisturizer.

What Happens to Skin as We Age

As with anything else, your skin changes dramatically as you age. Aging skin does not necessarily have a direct correlation to your age in birthdays.

 

How we care for our skin can cause the aging process to speed up or slow down. Factors like sun damage and smoking all play a role in speeding up the aging process. 

 

“Smoking can produce free radicals, once-healthy oxygen molecules that are now overactive and unstable.”

Source: medicinenet.com

 

Adaptogens Superfruits Moisturizer from Piperberry combines the most powerful anti-aging ingredients to boost your skin’s natural collagen production and assist in the fight against free radicals.

 

Many factors play a role in the aging of our skin, such as gravity, genetics, stress, diet, sleep positions, and facial expressions.

 

As our skin ages, there are some significant changes to note.

 

1. Collagen, a protein responsible for skin elasticity, degrades
2. Skin starts to retain less water, making your skin much dryer
3. Skin begins to thin
4. Skin becomes more rough
5. Skin becomes more fragile
6. Skin conditions become more common

 

Aging skin requires much more in the way of moisture and hydration and benefits immensely from products that are rich in nutrients, and that helps boost collagen levels.

How to Care for Dry and Aging Skin

Caring for dry and aging skin can help to ensure that it maintains the appropriate levels of moisture and nutrients. Following these steps can help you get back that radiant glow and eliminate the tightness and itchiness that is the trademark of these skin types.

 

• Moisturize- making sure that you find the right moisturizer for your skin will make all the difference. It is imperative that you are using one that contains the correct levels of hydration and ingredients that will not further aggravate your dryness
• Take shorter showers with cooler water- Hot water removes the natural oils from your skin. So does your exposure time. By limiting your time in the shower and using warm water, you will help your skin hold on to its own natural moisture.
• Stay away from harsh soaps- Products that are antibacterial and that have alcohol in them will only cause your skin to become drier.
• Get a humidifier- The air inside your home can also have drying effects on your skin. Using a humidifier adds necessary humidity to the atmosphere and helps keep your skin protected.
• Change your pillowcase- Some fabrics are much gentler and kinder to your skin. Try sleeping on cotton or silk pillowcases to allow your skin some breathing room.

How to Choose a Moisturizer for Dry Skin

Adaptogens Superfruits Moisturizer is perfectly designed to be used on all skin types, but it has some incredible characteristics that are ideally suited for dry skin.

 

When looking for a moisturizer for dry skin, you want to make sure you are choosing a cream and not a lotion. Lotions have more water in their makeup and offer a very light level of hydration. Creams are designed to be heavier and create a barrier that allows for your skin to hold the moisture and become much more hydrated.

 

SPF is a must-have feature when looking for skincare. The sun causes damage to the skin, and for dry skin types, the sun can cause redness and flaking and intensify dryness. 

 

A good moisturizer should feel good on your skin. Remember, this is skincare. You can tell a lot about whether a product is right for your skin by how your skin reacts to it. A good moisturizer should feel calming and soft when applying and leave your skin feeling dewy and refreshed.

What Ingredients to Look for in a Moisturizer That Will Help With Dry Skin

If you are selecting a moisturizer for dry skin, you most definitely want it to work. Skincare has been researched for decades and decades, and there are some absolute must-haves to make sure you will get maximum performance.

 

When looking for a quality moisturizer, you will want to make sure it contains these ingredient types.

 

1. Humectants-- Humectants work by attracting water to the skin. This swells the skin’s surface allowing it to appear fuller and healthier. Examples of humectants include: glycerin, sorbitol, sodium hyaluronate, urea, propylene glycol, alpha hydroxy acids, and sugars
2. Emollients-- Emollients lubricate the skin and prevent water loss. They have smoothing properties and help to promote the skin’s radiance. Examples of emollients are: coconut oil, evening primrose oil, sunflower oil, Lanolin, and mineral oil
3. Antioxidants— Antioxidants work by helping the skin repair its damage. Whether damaged from the sun, the environment, lifestyle choices, or aging, skin damage is one of the most significant contributing factors to dryness. Examples of good antioxidants to look for are: polyphenols, vitamin C, vitamin E, proanthocyanidin, and flavonoids
4. SPF— Remember to always protect your skin from any further damage from the sun.

How Many Times Per Day to Apply the Moisturizer

For the best results and to alleviate your skin’s dryness, you want to apply your moisturizer twice daily. 

When to Apply the Moisturizer

The best time to apply moisturizer for dry skin types is first thing in the morning and at night just before bed.

 

Cleanse your face thoroughly with a gentle and effective cleanser like Piperberry’s Kale Protein Cleanser. This cleanser can be used twice a day as well alongside your moisturizing routine.

 

Pat your skin dry. Be sure not to rub or be abrasive. It is ok if there is still some dampness on your skin.

 

In fact, leaving some moisture on your skin will be beneficial when you apply your cream over it. Apply your moisturizer to the face, neck, and decollate (or the area above your chest and around your clavicles). 

 

Piperberry’s Adaptogens Moisturizer is a moisturizer and primer in one, meaning it is the perfect choice to use as both a day and a night cream. You will be nourishing and prepping the skin for your makeup in the morning, and calming, soothing, and healing your skin at night while you sleep.

Key Ingredients in Piperberry Adaptogens Superfruits Moisturizer

The ingredients in this moisturizer are high-quality ingredients. The antioxidants and natural ingredients were selected to help improve all skin types. Containing anti-inflammatory agents, as well as ingredients to even skin tone, improve elasticity, and repair damage, this moisturizer has everything your skin needs.

 

Some of the super ingredients in this Superfruits cream are:

• Squalane: This powerful antioxidant is highly effective against dryness. It fights wrinkle-forming free radicals while softening the skin and promotes glowy healthy-looking skin.
• Sea Buckthorn: This powerful plant provides anti-inflammatory aid as well as helps the skin improve its own elasticity by assisting in cell regeneration. It also aids in the repair of UV damage.
• Licorice Root: Packed with the antioxidant glabridin, licorice root helps to soothe skin and even out skin tone by reducing redness and brightening the skin.
• Bayberry: By helping to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, this superfruit helps soften the skin's appearance for a healthier and more youthful feel.

From: Piperberry

 

The first steps to healthy and beautiful skin are understanding your own skin’s type, age, and condition. Quality skincare is available and utilizes powerful antioxidants, nutrients, and moisture to help repair damage, decrease fine lines and wrinkles, and restore your skin to the appropriate levels of hydration.

 

Hydrated skin is radiant, fuller, and softer. Hydrated skin is healthy skin.

Start caring for the health of your skin today. Start with the best moisturizer.

Helen.