Everyone has probably heard of feeling good in their own skin. But if your skin is tight or itchy, the feel-good factor is not always a given. Scaly skin or reddened skin areas are a clear sign and should be taken seriously. Especially as it is directly visible on the face and often makes the skin look pale and stressed. But the fine flakes on the body are also annoying and are particularly visible on dark clothing. So what tips for caring for dry skin can help?
Caring for dry skin
Dry skin is actually always a sign of a lack of moisture or lipids. Whether on the face, elbows, shins or hands, a lack of moisture causes the skin to contract and fine dryness lines to form. If this deficiency cannot be compensated for, the skin begins to flake and crack.
Factors such as changes in weather or temperature, stress, hormonal fluctuations or an unbalanced or incorrect diet can exacerbate this. It is therefore important to reduce these influences and provide optimum support for dry skin. This includes, above all, drinking enough fluids, i.e. drinking plenty of water to provide the body with the necessary moisture. In general, a certain amount of water is essential for everyone, whether you have healthy or dry skin. If this is reduced, the natural production of sebum and therefore the protective barrier function is affected.
Viruses or bacteria can then penetrate through the outer horny layers and cause dry or itchy skin. At the same time, moisture can escape from the inside via the dry skin. This should be addressed with appropriate skin care that promotes the natural skin barrier. Moisturizing and moisturizing products with urea, shea butter or glycerine can compensate for the deficits of dry skin. To avoid further drying out, showers with excessively hot water or extensive bathing should be avoided. Mild, pH-neutral products without allergenic ingredients are also recommended.
Older skin in particular generally retains less moisture and forms fewer lipids, reducing the important protective layer. Protective, collagen and regeneration-promoting ingredients such as the microalgae active ingredient spiralin offer dry skin optimal support with an antimicrobial protective effect.
Depending on the skin type and weather conditions, sensitive skin can be additionally protected in winter with warm clothing and moisturizing care. In summer, protection from UV radiation is important, and clothing can also provide appropriate support here to avoid too much radiation and moisture loss.
Skin care for problem skin
Of course, the cause of dry skin can also be of a health nature, such as neurodermatitis, diabetes or psoriasis. A disturbed skin barrier is sometimes a factor in this type of problem skin. According to current knowledge, the otherwise protective horny layer is built up incorrectly, making it more susceptible to external influences. If bacteria or viruses come into play, these can often be the cause of inflammation (more on this in our blog article >> LINK).
Diabetes can lead to increased fluid loss due to increased blood sugar levels. As a result, the skin of those affected is also more sensitive and more susceptible to the loss of the natural skin barrier (find out more in another blog article >> LINK). In any case, it is important to be aware of these causes and to protect the skin as well as possible. If you are not sure about this, it is always advisable to consult a doctor who can give you tips on treatment and care after a thorough examination.
Do you have any questions about dry skin care, including atopic dermatitis, or about our products? Then please send an e-mail to our experts at: info@ocean-pharma.de
