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You may have dry skin for several reasons like genetically, seasonal, or using low-quality products. You are constantly using lots of expensive products but won’t prevent forming dry patches. It is just for not using right products with right ingredients.
In winter, harsh weather causes our skin to dry, that’s common to all. And many of us have dry-prone skin because of our parents having so.
Whatever the reasons for your dry, dull, or red skin, you need to mitigate it because untreated dry skin may cause irritation, scaly patches, and even earlier aging signs.
You won’t need to buy costly products. Just read the label when you buy any skin care items for your dry skin to know whether the right ingredients are used.
To help you, I described below the 10 best skincare ingredients that will be ideal for the relief of dry skin (advised by most dermatologists). And these ingredients will immediately hydrate and moisturize your dry skin leaving a smooth, nourished, and healthy look.
1. Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic acid is a molecule naturally found in the body. Now, this ingredient is available in skin care items to enhance the complexion. You may have dry-prone skin or be suffering from skin dehydration. Skin dehydration happens when you don’t hydrate your skin properly. Over-exfoliating can also cause dry skin.
Hyaluronic acid is one of the best anti-aging and moisturizing ingredients for dry, dull, and aging skin. This humectant can hold up to 1,000 times its own weight in water. Hyaluronic acid hydrates the skin while minimizing breakouts and clogged pores. Using hyaluronic acid products (like Neutrogena Hyaluronic Acid Gel) will keep your look younger by smoothing out the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.
2. Petrolatum
Petrolatum is an old standby, popularly known as petroleum jelly for chapped, dry, or wound skin. And Vaseline is the most popular petroleum jelly in the world. It acts as a strong barrier against dryness and prevents water from vaporizing. If you have dry skin, then petrolatum would be essential for you. But, it may be intimidating for oily skin as it is comedogenic.
3. Glycerin
Glycerin is a traditional humectant for chapped skin in winter although other humectants came up in the spotlight, still, it is commonly used to defend the skin from harsh weather. It draws water to itself which means applying glycerin on the skin helps retain water to the skin.
4. Aloe Vera
Aloe vera soothes sunburnt skin while it also softens dry skin. Even aloe vera is beneficial for skin in its natural form. It absorbs into the skin quickly and reduces irritation and redness. That’s why; many dermatologists also suggest using aloe vera for sensitive, acne-prone skin.
5. Lactic Acid
Lactic acid is generally found in milk – goat milk. This acid relieves irritated dry skin. That’s why; goat milk soap bar is very popular to moisturize and mitigate dry skin while cleansing it. In addition, many dermatologists prescribe skincare items with lactic acid for its effectiveness to heal very dry skin. Many brands also label lactic acid as anti-aging because of its ability to prevent age spots and restore the suppleness of the skin.
6. Glycolic Acid
Glycolic acid is an effective ingredient for dry skin. It is also used for other skin types. Glycolic acid is derived from various fruits and sugarcane. This ingredient is mostly used in cleansers to be used for dry dull skin. Glycolic acid cleanses and exfoliates dirt, dead skin cells, impurities, and pollutants helping attract moisture to your skin. Thus, it keeps your skin clean and hydrated throughout the day.
7. Urea
Urea is a little-known ingredient for skin care. It is basically known as a keratolytic. It increases moisture in the skin by dissolving the horny substance (keratin) holding the top layer of skin cells together. This process helps the dead skin cells shed off and restore more water to the skin.
Urea is used to treat dry or rough skin conditions like psoriasis, eczema, corns, callus, and ingrown nails. It may also be used to remove dead tissue in some wounds to help quick healing.
8. Ceramides
Ceramides are among the most used ingredients to battle dry skin. Whether you experience seasonal dry skin or have dry-prone skin year-round, products with ceramides help replenish skin. Ceramides are also known as fatty acids/alcohols that help maintain skin’s natural moisture. Using products rich in ceramides (like Medline Ceramide Cream) helps restore moisture in even extreme temperatures giving you long-term hydrated and healthy skin.
9. A Cup of Tea
Tea not only gives great relaxation but also does wonderful benefits for skin. Chamomile, green, or black tea extract is ideal for dry, mature skin care. It will protect and nourish delicate, sensitive skin while white tea having vitamin E produces a potent, yet non-irritating antioxidant to aid in rejuvenating the skin. Or taking it as just a cup of tea also helps hold your youthfulness for years, especially green tea.
10. Squalane
Squalane is a newer, trendier skin-care ingredient for dry skin. It is slightly different from actual squalene produced naturally in our sebaceous glands. Sebaceous glands produce sebum, an oil that gives a natural greasy feeling on the skin. Unlike sebum, you will feel squalane lightweight on the skin. It absorbs easily into the skin and acts as an emollient leaving the skin nourished.
In Bottom Line
Hydrating and moisturizing are not the same. Hydrating ingredients contain water-based substances that add water to the skin. While moisturizing ingredients contain such things that protect the water loss from your skin. Often some products only contain hydrating ingredients like hydrating serum that just adds water to the skin, next you need a moisturizer to keep it hold to the skin. So, look for the ingredients that can both hydrate and moisturize your dry skin.
SOURCES:
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6017965/
- https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-6047-829/urea-topical/urea-keratolytic-topical/details
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6197824/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3583886/
