Dry skin problems are common, and the condition of the skin can also vary with the seasons.
Whether you have dry skin all year round or only right now, we have the solution to help you get your dry skin under control.
Contents
What is dry skin?
You get dry skin when the skin lacks sebum (oil). But you must distinguish between dry and dehydrated skin, as they are two completely different things.
When the skin lacks water, it becomes dehydrated. The epidermis (the outermost layer of the skin) lacks moisture and is dehydrated.
Read more about dehydrated skin and how to distinguish between dehydrated and dry skin.
Common signs of dry skin include:
- dry, white flakes of skin.
- flaky skin.
- rough skin.
- irritated and red skin.
- a tendency toward skin problems such as eczema, itching, psoriasis, and dermatitis.
- a tight feeling, especially after showering, bathing, or swimming.
- both small, superficial cracks and larger, deeper cracks in the skin that can bleed.
This is why you get dry skin
Dry skin is a very common skin type that can affect anyone at some point. To avoid and understand dry skin, it is helpful to know the causes of the problem.
Age
Sebum production is controlled by androgens (sex hormones). Generally speaking, children have low sebum production, which then increases during puberty and may begin to decrease as early as their 20s.
Men's sebum production does not decrease significantly until around the age of 70-80. For women, sebum production decreases fairly quickly from around the age of 40 or when menopause begins.
So it is absolutely right to apply extra moisturizer to children's and adults' skin, as needs change throughout life.
Weather and heat
Although the sun and warm weather can dry out the skin, it is still driest in winter:
- when the temperature and humidity drop significantly.
- when it is exposed to major temperature fluctuations.
- when indoor humidity becomes particularly low, for example when the stove, radiator, or oven is on.
- when the skin is exposed to heat combined with water, such as during hot showers or baths.
Moisture from the outermost layer of the skin cannot remain there and evaporates. The skin becomes dry on the surface. Skin that is already dry may start to flake, become red, and itch. In that case, the skin needs both fat and moisture.
Water and soap
Water itself is drying, and combined with overly harsh soaps and cleansers, it quickly makes the skin dry on the surface, especially in winter. By continuing to wash away too much of the skin’s natural sebum (the skin’s natural oil), it eventually becomes dry deep down.
If the skin does not receive extra fats (through creams or oils), the outer, drier layer of skin will be moisturized with oils from deeper skin layers. You could say that the sebum is “taken and moved” to the skin’s surface, where it dries out from within.
Incorrect skincare products
It is not only soap and water that can dry out the skin.
- Coarse cloths, makeup remover cloths, and cleansing brushes (made of fiber bristles) are examples of things that create a lot of friction against the skin and wipe away too much of its protective oil.
- Detox masks and clay masks can be too absorbent and drying for winter skin. They are better suited to oily skin.
- Trying to remove dry skin flakes and flaky skin with a scrub or exfoliant is a good idea. However, it can easily become too much, weakening the skin barrier and making it thin, sensitive, and eventually dry.
- It is extremely important to adapt your skincare routine to the season. Fear of acne or oily skin from overly rich creams and oils means that the skin does not get the extra fat it needs in winter. In the end, this can result in both acne and dry skin.
- Fear of using plant-based oils leads many people to instead choose creams and oils based on petroleum-based oils.
It may initially feel incredibly softening, while in the long run it acts like a lid that prevents the skin from absorbing both moisture and fat, drying it out from within. Learn more about the difference between plant-based and petroleum-based oils.
- Another misconception is that creams make the skin dependent. Refusing to moisturize dry skin when its need for fat and hydration is greatest only makes it even drier. In the worst case, the skin may crack.
Petroleum oils prevent the skin from absorbing fat and moisture. This makes the skin even drier and therefore creates an even greater need for oiling. This can feel as though the skin becomes “dependent on” products. In reality, the skin becomes even drier from using the wrong kinds of products.
Unbalanced diet
Besides the effects of the weather, an unbalanced diet is the most common underlying cause of dry skin. In general, diuretic foods can make the skin dry:
- Alcohol and coffee.
- Salty food.
- Food without healthy fats.
Junk food, sugar and carbohydrates can indirectly dry out the skin by negatively affecting collagen production in the skin. This can lead to more wrinkles, dull and dehydrated skin.
How to get rid of dry skin
Getting rid of dry skin is relatively easy. You need to add more oils to your skin and minimize things that dry it out. Now let’s go through step by step what helps against dry skin.
Turn down the heat
Proper warmth can feel wonderful sometimes. However, try to protect your skin by:
- turn down the heat slightly and snuggle up in warm socks and a sweater instead.
- avoid long, hot showers and baths.
- use a humidifier to increase indoor humidity.
Adapt your skincare routine
Natural, organic and toxin-free skincare products are preferable if you want to get rid of dry skin. Here’s how to best adapt your skincare routine when you want to treat dry skin.
Cleansing for dry skin
When it comes to daily cleansing:
- Switch to a cleanser that does not lather and does not leave your skin feeling tight afterward.
Cleansers suitable for dry skin: i+m Clean Beauty Gentle Cream Cleanser, Odylique Silk Touch Cleanser and Odylique Creamy Coconut Cleanser.
- Try OCM (oil cleansing method), where you wash your face with an oil such as almond oil. This reduces contact with water while deeply cleansing the skin. Be sure to wipe off all the cleansing oil with a damp cloth.
We also offer ready-made oils for removing makeup and dirt.
Keep in mind that deep-cleansing masks such as clay masks, detox masks and similar products can be too drying for already dry skin. Here’s what you can do if you have blemished and dry skin:
- Use clay masks and purifying masks only on the T-zone.
- Mix a couple of drops of facial oil into your face mask to make it more nourishing.
- Face masks containing clays tend to dry quickly, causing them to “draw out” moisture and oils from the skin. Always keep the mask moist with a toner or facial mist. You can also place a warm, damp cloth over your face while the mask is working.
- Try a cleansing mask that is not drying, such as a rose quartz face mask.
Exfoliate away dead skin cells
Exfoliate or scrub regularly, but not excessively, to make it easier for the skin to absorb nourishment from your skincare products. Follow your product's instructions and do not treat the skin more often than indicated.
Good exfoliators for dry skin:
Evolve Radiant Glow Mask
Evolve Miracle Mask.
Face mask for dry skin
Face masks are great to use when you want quick results. Most organic face masks provide the skin with plenty of nourishment.
Rehydrate every day
Toner for dry skin
A hydrating toner is a must for dehydrated skin. For dry skin, toner is not as important.
There are still benefits to using toner on dry skin:
- if you have dry and dehydrated skin.
- if your skin dries out quickly between the steps in your skincare routine. When the skin is dry, it has difficulty absorbing products, and they mostly sit on the surface. In that case, a toner is perfect to use before applying serum, cream, and oil so that the products are absorbed more effectively.
Tips for toners suitable for dry skin: Evolve Daily Defence Moisture Mist with Prebiotic , i+m Naturkosmetik Deep Water Hydrator, Eco By Sonya Skin Compost Super Fruit Toner
Serum for dry skin
Make sure to use a serum, as it penetrates into the deeper layers of the skin. Choose a more nourishing serum that provides both moisture and oils.
Tips for serums that help with dry skin: - i+m Demanding Skin Serum Repair Avocado Hyaluron - i+m Naturkosmetik Freistil Hyaluronic Serum - i+m Naturkosmetik Lifting Boost Immortelle Hyaluron - Odylique Superfruit Concentrate
Facial cream for dry skin
Use a richer, nourishing facial cream that can moisturize dry skin and keep it soft for a long time.
- If your skin feels tight or looks dry after your facial cream has absorbed, you need a richer cream or should apply facial oil on top of your facial cream.
- If you have areas (usually the T-zone) that easily become shiny or are more prone to acne, you can apply a thin layer of facial cream or a lighter facial lotion to those areas. This helps retain moisture in the skin and prevents it from evaporating.
A facial cream that really quenches dry skin is Evolve Daily Renew Facial Cream.
If you would like to use a night cream in the evening, we recommend these for dry skin: 100% Pure Multi-vitamin + Antioxidants Ultra Riché PM Treatment and Evolve Nigthly Renew Facial Cream.
Facial oil for dry skin
The great thing about facial oils for dry skin types is that they can be used:
- as a cleansing oil.
- instead of day and night creams.
- on top of day and night creams.
- to enrich other skincare products.
It is especially important that your skin is moisturized (and clean) when you apply facial oil. This allows the oil to sink into the skin instead of simply sitting on top.
Tips for oils suitable for dry skin: Green Avocado Oil Inlight Beauty Face Oil Eco by Sonya Glory Oil
Eat a balanced diet
Nourishing your skin from within with the right diet is an effective way to get rid of dry skin. It is important that your diet is varied and balanced.
Sometimes it can be helpful to keep a diary of what you eat. Then you can easily see if your diet is one-sided. It is also wise to note how much you eat of everything. Is your plate 10% vegetables or 90%? When your skin is dry, you need to consume more healthy fats.
Try to:
- increase your intake of healthy fatty acids. An easy way is to drizzle extra virgin olive oil over your plate.
- eat more omega-3-rich foods such as avocado, seeds, nuts, fish, and shellfish.
- take omega-3 supplements. The Swedish Medical Products Agency recommends that we should consume 2.5-3 grams of omega-3 fat every day.
- eat less of things that cause dry skin.
