For some of us, dry skin can be an issue throughout our lives. For others, it may be something that we just start to notice as we get older.
Either way, dry skin isn’t something you just have to live with. There’s plenty that you can do to combat the dryness, rehydrating and reviving your skin so it’s supple, smooth and full of health.
The science behind our skin...
First, it helps to understand more about what our skin actually is. It’s incredibly clever and much more complex that we might first think.
Our skin is made up of lots of different layers. The epidermis is the top layer and the dermis is the middle layer. These layers contain collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid, molecules which protect the structural integrity of our skin.
As we get older, we lose some of the hyaluronic acid and collagen in our skin, which is when we might start noticing drier skin and more wrinkles.
The hypodermis is the third layer of our skin, which is made up of connective tissue and fat.
Why does our skin become dry?
There are lots of reasons. Some are environmental, some are lifestyle, some can be medical. Here, we’ll explore why our skin can become dry and give you some tips and tricks for helping to keep it happy and hydrated.
Winter. This can be one of the worst culprits as cold, harsh weather can play havoc with our skin’s hydration. Add to that lots of indoor heating and you have the perfect recipe for drier skin.
Sun. Equally, too much sun can really dry out your skin, as well as causing a host of other issues like advanced skin ageing. If your skin is exposed to UV rays without protection, these can damage your skin cells and causing it to become dehydrated, dry and flaky.
Hot water and harsh products. The way you treat your skin also plays a part. Overwashing, using harsh products or taking very hot showers or baths can all impact your skin’s lipid barrier (in your epidermis), leading to dehydration.
Smoking. Nicotine can impair your blood flow by causing blood vessels to narrow. This can lead to dry and dull skin, which is also more prone to scarring.
Pollutants in the air. Exposure to pollutants can allow tiny particles in gases, dirt and fumes to penetrate our skin, which can cause dryness and damage.
Lack of water intake. Drinking plenty of water is great for your health in lots of ways. If you lose more water than you take in, this can lead to problems for your skin.
Menopause. The average age of menopause in the UK is 51, and the years leading up to this are known as perimenopause. This is when hormone levels can start to fluctuate and skin starts to lose its ability to hold as much water, which can lead to dryness.
Our bodies also stop producing as much collagen, which can lead to loss of firmness. During this time, our pH levels can also change, leaving our skin more sensitive and prone to rashes and irritation.
Daily care for your skin
As well as using your MAYDI+TM skincare range, there are some other simple tips you can follow to stop your skin falling prey to dryness, dullness and dehydration:
Protect your skin from the sun. Make sure to use an SPF every day and stay out of the harsh rays of the sun as much as possible. You could also add a wide-brimmed hat on very sunny days to help protect your face.
Drink plenty of water. This is great for your overall health and wellbeing – although alone it can’t repair dry skin, it can help to keep you feeling more energised and healthy.
Quit smoking. It’s good for your health overall and you’ll notice real benefits to your skin, too.
Wash with tepid water. Hot water can strip moisture out of your skin, so try to reduce the temperature a little.
Use gentle products. Try to avoid anything too harsh that will strip oils and moisture from your skin. Look for products that are designed specifically to tackle dry skin, with good-quality well-researched ingredients, along with clinical data to back up the claims.
Try a humidifier. Especially useful in winter, this can add moisture back into the air and help to keep your skin hydrated, especially when there’s lots of indoor heating on.
Eat a well-balanced diet. Good nourishment on the inside will show on the outside, helping to keep your skin happy and healthy. In particular, you need plenty of vitamin D, vitamin A, niacin, zinc and iron.
Essentially, there are certain factors we can control and some we can’t. We can’t switch off the cold weather or realistically avoid every single type of air pollutant. But we can combat some of these elements with other measures, which include a good skincare regime as well as looking at our lifestyle.
When it comes to our skin, a little love goes a very long way... so just a few tweaks here and there could be all you need to reveal a smooth and radiant complexion.