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Best Ingredients for Dry Skin ৹ Plus 10 Tips
Seasonal changes, hormonal changes, and health issues can can change the way our skin feels. It can also change the way we need to care for our skin.
There are several important ways we can protect our skin as these changes take place.
Read on to gather some tips on how to handle fall and winter skin, and things you can do to combat the signs of aging.
Our Moon Glow Cleansing Cream is such an excellent way to cleanse skin and combat dryness. It has a long list of hydrating and moisturizing ingredients that will not clog pores.
Top 10 of the Best Ingredients for Dry Skin
- Aloe Vera: The Ultimate Hydrating Ingredient
Aloe vera is a natural ingredient that has been used for centuries to soothe and hydrate the skin. It contains a high concentration of water, which helps to hydrate the skin and improve its overall moisture levels. Additionally, aloe vera contains antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds, which can help to reduce inflammation and redness in the skin.
- Hyaluronic Acid: The Moisture Magnet
Hyaluronic acid is a powerful humectant that can hold up to 1000 times its weight in water. It works by attracting and retaining moisture in the skin, which helps to keep it hydrated and plump. Hyaluronic acid is also naturally found in the skin, but as we age, our skin produces less of it. Incorporating hyaluronic acid into your skincare routine can help to replenish the skin's natural moisture levels.
- Glycerin: The Natural Humectant
Glycerin is a natural humectant that helps to attract and retain moisture in the skin. It works by drawing water from the air into the skin, which helps to keep it hydrated and soft. Additionally, glycerin is non-comedogenic, meaning it won't clog pores or cause breakouts.
- Ceramides: The Skin Barrier Protectors
Ceramides are a type of lipid that are naturally found in the skin's barrier. They help to keep the skin hydrated and protected by locking in moisture and preventing water loss. When the skin's barrier is compromised, ceramides can help to repair and strengthen it, which can improve the overall health and appearance of the skin.
- Avocado Oil: The Nutrient-Rich Moisturizer
Avocado oil is a rich, nourishing oil that is packed with vitamins and nutrients. It contains high levels of oleic acid, which helps to moisturize and hydrate the skin. Additionally, avocado oil is rich in antioxidants, which can help to protect the skin from environmental stressors.
- Shea Butter: The Deep Moisturizing Emollient
Shea butter is a rich, luxurious butter that is derived from the shea nut. It is deeply moisturizing and contains high levels of fatty acids, which help to nourish and hydrate the skin. Additionally, shea butter has anti-inflammatory properties, which can help to soothe and calm the skin.
- Jojoba Oil: The Non-Greasy Moisturizer
Jojoba oil is a lightweight, non-greasy oil that is easily absorbed by the skin. It is rich in antioxidants and fatty acids, which help to hydrate and nourish the skin. Additionally, jojoba oil has anti-inflammatory properties, which can help to reduce redness and inflammation in the skin.
- Coconut Oil: The Versatile Moisturizing Oil
Coconut oil is a versatile oil that can be used for a variety of purposes, including moisturizing the skin. It is rich in fatty acids, which help to hydrate and nourish the skin. Additionally, coconut oil has antimicrobial properties, which can help to protect the skin from harmful bacteria.
- Vitamin E: The Antioxidant Skin Hydrator
Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that can help to protect the skin from environmental stressors. It also has moisturizing properties, which can help to hydrate and nourish the skin. Additionally, vitamin E has anti-inflammatory properties, which can help to reduce redness and inflammation in the skin.
- Niacinamide: The Barrier-Boosting Vitamin
Niacinamide, also known as vitamin B3, is a powerful ingredient that can help to improve the skin's barrier function. It can help to reduce water loss in the skin, which can improve its overall moisture levels. Additionally, niacinamide has anti-inflammatory properties, which can help to reduce redness and inflammation in the skin.
10 Proven Tips for Dry Skin Care
1. Invest in a Humidifier to Maximize Moisture
Using a humidifier in your home or office will add moisture to dry winter air and help keep your skin hydrated. Run a humidifier in the rooms you spend the most time in, including your bedroom.
If purchasing a humidifier is not an option, you can do what my mom always did, and add a larger container of water in each room. It will naturally disperse into the air and immediately improve the dryness that lingers in the winter.
2. Lower the Thermostat to Avoid Dryness
When it's chilly outside, what's the first thing you want to do? Crank up the heat! But central heat can make the air in your house even drier. Try setting the thermostat at a cool yet comfortable setting — 68°F to 72°F — to maintain healthy skin.
3. Limit Shower Time and Temperature
It may be tempting to take a long, steamy shower, but your skin will be much better-served with a 5- to 10-minute lukewarm shower (or bath), as the AAD suggests. You should also avoid using excessively hot water when washing your hands — if the water causes your skin to turn red, it’s too hot. Washing your hands in cooler water appears to be as effective at removing germs as warm water and is less irritating to skin, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2) And if you're using a restroom air hand-dryer, use it just until your hands are damp rather than perfectly dry.
4. Choose Gentle, Fragrance-Free Cleansers
The wrong soap can worsen itchy, dry skin. For instance, regular bar soaps may contain irritating ingredients and fragrances. Instead, wash with a fragrance-free, moisturizing cleanser or gel. (And do look for products specifically labeled “fragrance-free,” because "unscented" products may actually contain fragrances.) You can also prevent winter skin problems by using less soap overall, so limit your lathering to necessary areas, such as your hands, armpits, genitals, and feet.
5. Modify Your Facial Skin Care Plan for the Season
During the winter months, choose cream-based cleansers, and apply toners and astringents sparingly, if at all, or any products that you know might be drying to your skin. At night, use a richer moisturizer on your face.
6. Moisturize Frequently, Especially Your Hands
Maintain healthy skin by moisturizing after washing up. "It's best to use a cream or ointment in the winter. Lotions are better in warmer, humid climates. And don't forget your hands. Hand-washing, as the CDC notes, is vital, especially during cold and flu season. But do so at a reasonable amount, since constant washing will cause the hands to take a beating.
Applying a hand cream after each washing can help, Stein Gold adds. She also recommends wearing waterproof gloves when washing dishes or cleaning around the house.
7. Apply Sunscreen — Even on Gray Winter Days
On bright winter days, snow reflects the sun’s rays — up to 80 percent, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation — increasing your risk of exposure. That means whether you’re out on the slopes, playing in the snow, or just walking through a parking lot on an errand run, it’s just as important to be applying sunscreen in the harsh winter weather as it is in the summer.
And don’t be fooled by darker, dreary days in winter, either. The sun’s harmful UV rays can permeate clouds and still cause damage.
Before you go outside, apply a moisturizing, broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher to all exposed areas of your body.
8. Wear Appropriate, Comfortable, Nonirritating Clothing
Many cold-weather fabrics can aggravate dry winter skin. Keep wool and rough clothing from directly touching your skin. This can cause dry skin to get irritated and itchy.
Instead, wear light layers made from soft, breathable materials directly against your skin, and then pull on your heavier, warmer sweaters. Be sure to protect your hands from cold winter air with gloves or mittens, remembering to choose a pair that won’t irritate your skin. If you prefer wool gloves, put on cotton or silk glove liners first.
9. Remember to Eat Right and Stay Hydrated
Sometimes when skin is very dry, it can be helped by foods or supplements that contain omega-3 or omega-6 fatty acids, such as fish oil and flaxseed oil. For the most part, however, it is important to help the skin moisturize from the outside.
10. Change Out of Wet Clothes Quickly to Avoid Itchy Skin
Wearing wet clothes and shoes can further irritate your skin and cause itchiness. If gloves, socks, and pants become wet, be sure to remove them as soon as possible.
Our Moon Glow Cleansing Cream is such an excellent way to cleanse skin and combat dryness. It has a long list of hydrating and moisturizing ingredients that will not clog pores:
