Characteristics of Dry Skin

Conditions of Dry Skin
Dry skin produces low amounts of sebum (natural skin oils) and has a hard time retaining moisture. This condition could be due to heredity, the aging process, or dehydration. The pores are usually small and the skin may feel tight. External factors such as wind and cold temperatures with low humidity may amplify the dry feeling. Other symptoms of dry skin include fine lines and dry flakes or patches on the surface.

Care of Dry Skin
If you have dry skin, especially on your face, pay close attention to the ways in which you cleanse. Have you noticed that after washing with soap your skin feels immediately tight? Most commercial soaps contain harsh ingredients. Try a natural handmade soap with added glycerin or moisturizing and softening ingredients such as milk, honey, oats and vitamin e. Also avoid commercial detergents (surfactants) such as sodium lauryl sulfate. Instead try a cleansing cream with natural oils such as macadamia nut oil or avocado oil.

Advanced Ingredients in Dry Skin Care
The ingredients in your skin care products may either diminish or contribute to dry skin conditions. Look for ingredients with natural moisturizing factors that bind with water to help keep the skin cells stable and help your skin to retain moisture and feel soft. At the top of this list are glycerin, honey, lecithin, and proteins such as milk and oats. Film forming ingredients help protect the skin from water loss. These include collagen, ceramides, and hyaluronic acid. These can be found in both natural and synthetic forms. A natural extract that performs similar to hyaluronic acid is tamarind seed extract. Some herbs that provide benefit to dry, sensitive skin are chamomile, calendula, aloe vera, dandelion, and licorice root.

Remember that proper nutrition and drinking adequate amounts of water not only keeps you healthy on the inside, it keeps your skin healthy too.