Top Causes Behind Dry Skin

What Causes Dry Skin?

Dry skin is more than dehydration. Here is everything you need to know!

People with dry skin naturally lack a strong lipid barrier, which leads to water loss and dehydration. Knowing what causes your dry skin will give you more than relief, it will allow you to treat your dry skin at the source. If you have dry skin, you probably hunt out ultra moisturising products for quick relief.

But did you know that Dry Skin Needs More than just Hydration?

The latest scientific research shows that healthy skin starts with the right balance of a strong lipid barrier, hydration, and an optimal microbiome. If any of these factors are imbalanced, skin can look and feel compromised. People with truly dry skin naturally lack a strong lipid barrier, they don’t have enough lipids to maintain optimal skin health. So lets have a closer look at the lipid barrier and how you can help strengthen yours for healthy, hydrated skin.

What is the Lipid Barrier?

Think of lipids as the mortar between your skins bricks. This lipid barrier is found in the outermost layer of skin, and is our first line of defense against internal and external factors that can affect skin dryness. A strong lipid barrier helps prevent excess water loss and keeps out external forms of assault like UV radiation, heat and cold, and environmental irritants.

What happens when the skin Lipid Barrier is Weakened?

When skins lipid barrier is weakened, the first thing that happens is water loss, also known as dehydration. This results in flakiness, dryness, dullness and fine dehydration lines. At this point, skin is more susceptible to environmental assault and signs of premature ageing.

What causes a Weak Lipid Barrier?

If you have dry skin, your skin naturally lacks a strong lipid barrier, but there are other contributing factors that can influence barrier performance, too. Paying attention to them can help you better manage dry skin.

- Ageing Depletes Skins Natural Lipids Over Time.

- Seasonal changes like low temperature and low humidity can result in decreased lipids and increased sensitivity.

- Cleansing, over exfoliating and certain skin care ingredients, including alcohol, acetone, and harsh surfactants, can damage the skin barrier.

- Dietary changes, including reduced fat consumption, can result in lipid deficiency.

- Stress, UV exposure and some diseases can also damage the skin barrier or delay recovery.

What does Dry Skin Need?

For all the complex factors that can influence dry skin and lipid barrier recovery, the solution is relatively simple:

- Focus your skin care regimen around products that nourish your lipid barrier.

- Look for products that are rich in plant oils and contain ingredients like ceramides, fatty acids (e.g., Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid, Myristic Acid), and sterols.

Dermalogica Intensive Moisture Balance Nourishes 10 layers deep to restore the skins lipid barrier.

Dermalogica Intensive Moisture Cleanser removes even long wear makeup while nourishing skin.

Plus, they are both formulated with a state of the art BioReplenish Complex, which works on a molecular level to deliver a proven combination of key barrier lipids that help enhance skins natural resilience and support barrier recovery.

Discover our range of Dermalogica products for Dry Skin.