It’s the Christmas season — the perfect time for a hot cup of tea, soups, warm clothes, and… you guessed it… super dry skin.
Based on a survey[1] of 2,000 American adults, 83% stated that their skin felt different during winter. The most common complaints were itchiness (51%), dryness (69%), and redness (24%). About 6 in 10 went so far as to call their skin “unhealthy” in winter.
If you want to find the right moisturizer for dry skin and learn some valuable skincare tips, then you are in for a treat! The guide below can help.
Overview of Dry Skin
Xeroderma, or dry skin, happens when the skin lacks enough moisture and oils. It flakes, develops dry patches, and feels tight and dull. It produces less sebum, making it lose its elasticity. This condition may be bothersome, but having skincare for dry skin can alleviate the symptoms.
According to studies[2], this condition is common and can be due to things like age, health issues, meds, or environmental factors.
Importance of Skincare for Dry Skin
The signs of dry skin show up when there is a buildup of dead skin cells on the surface of the skin. It happens when the outermost layer of the skin (the stratum corneum) contains less than 10% water and breaks apart, research[3] shows.
A moisturizer for dry skin is a crucial component in any skincare routine. The product maintains the skin’s integrity and helps repair the skin’s protective barrier. It does this by working in different ways:
- Humectants attract moisture to the skin.
- Emollients smooth and soften the skin.
- Occlusive create a protective layer to lock in moisture.
For added nutrients and extra protection[4], any skincare for dry skin should include a cleanser and sunscreen. Preferably with moisturizing ingredients like ceramides, glycerin, peptides, and hyaluronic acid.
Common Areas Affected: Focus on Eyes, Under Eyes, and Nose
The skin on our face is thin and sensitive, but the skin around our eyes is even more fragile. Normally, our outer skin layer (epidermis) is about 0.1 mm thick. However, the skin around the eyes can be as thin as 0 - 0.5 mm.
The skin on our eyelids and under our eyes has a lot of blood vessels, which means there should be good circulation in these areas. When you rub your eyes too intensely, you are stretching the skin tissues causing it to lose its elasticity. This can cause the formation of premature wrinkles. A moisturizer for dry skin can alleviate this dryness, provide proper moisture, and prevent the appearance of unsightly wrinkles.
Understanding Dry Skin Around Eyes
Think of your skin like leather on a pair of shoes. If you don’t polish or oil it regularly, it will dry out. The surface will crack, lose its flexibility, and even split over time. This could also happen if you don’t take proper care of your skin.
Your skin requires natural oils and water to stay flexible and healthy. If, for whatever reason, there is a shortage of moisture, you can develop dry skin around eyes. People with very light or dark skin are more prone to dryness.
A range of factors can trigger dry skin around the eyes. These include:
- Harsh weather conditions
- Over washing the face
- Lack of miniaturization
- Old age (the older we get, the less sebum the skin produces)
- Medicine such as diuretics or statins
- Mineral or vitamin deficiencies
- Health problems (such as kidney disease, thyroid complications, diabetes, HIV, etc)
- Smoking
The dry skin doesn’t shine. Scratching it with your fingernail can leave a noticeable white mark. The affected area can trigger mild to severe symptoms.
Mild symptoms include:
- Burning or stinging sensations
- Itchiness and irritation
- Redness
- Flaking
- Prominent fine lines
- Roughness
Severe symptoms include:
- Pain and discomfort
- Very deep cracks that could bleed
- Infections
- Consistent itchiness
- Skin crusts
- Swelling
Your doctor or dermatologist can suggest the best course of action to alleviate the symptoms. The treatment usually varies based on the underlying cause. But, overall, a good moisturizer for dry skin is a great way to start. It replenishes the lost moisture and gives your skin a healthy glow.
Skincare Tips for Dry Skin
Have you been struggling with dry skin around eyes? Then, here are a couple of tips for you to try.
A. General Skincare Practices
Since the skin around your eyes is extremely delicate and thin, you should opt for gentle cleansing. Use warm water rather than hot water to wash the face and limit bath time. This way you won’t strip too much of the natural oils from the skin.
Don’t rub the skin too harshly after washing it. Pat it instead. Use a moisturizer that can provide deep hydration to eliminate dry skin. The Infusoderm Deep Hydration Daily Moisturizer is gentle enough to be applied to the eye area and its high potency replenishes your skin’s moisture balance, giving you a youthful appearance and radiant glow.
Other than skin moisturizers, serums are also an excellent option for keeping the skin healthy. For deeply nourished and hydrated skin, the Excelagene Intensive Hydration Serum has intensive anti-aging ingredients that can rejuvenate the skin and help you achieve a radiant complexion.
B. Targeted Care for Dry Skin Around Eyes
To combat the dry skin around eyes, steer clear of harsh ingredients such as synthetic fragrances, alcohol, steroids, and formaldehyde.
Specialized eye creams, like the Blackstone Collection Daily Pick-Up Eye Cream, can address the unique needs of the affected area. It offers the right balance of hydration without triggering any irritation.
Should I Go With Moisturizers for Dryness in Winter?
In the winter, you might benefit from revamping your skincare routine. If your skin is prone to drying, then you should add a moisturizing cream or lotion and a body oil spray to your regimen. Body oil sprays are fantastic at controlling dehydrated and tired skin. They are a practical choice for dry-skin relief.
Applying a moisturizer for dry skin, like a cream or a lotion is also important, especially in winter. You need that moisture boost particularly during the coldest of weather when the skin gets super dry, worsening your skin condition.
In addition, exfoliating is recommended to achieve the efficacy of these products. Remove any dead skin cells that have accumulated on your skin. Skincare products work best when they are applied on exfoliated skin allowing the ingredients to penetrate with ease and boost their effectiveness. It is especially useful for dry skin under eyes.
FAQ
What are the 2 types of dry skin?
Some commonly recorded dry skin types are contact dermatitis and eczema. These skin conditions cause bumpy, dry, itchy, and red skin.
What are the characteristics of dry skin type?
The skin feels flaky, dull, tight, and lacks flexibility. It doesn’t shine and it is very prone to itching.
Why am I getting dry skin on my nose?
Have you been wondering what’s causing the dry skin on nose? Several factors can cause the skin around your nose to dry. Cold weather, staying too long in hot showers, skin type, and age are possible causes. Furthermore, some harsh chemicals found in beauty products can also cause dry skin on nose. These are alcohol and dioxane.
Why is the skin around my eyes always dry?
It is always best to know the possible reasons why the skin around your eyes is dry. You could be dealing with an underlying skin condition such as atopic dermatitis, contact dermatitis, rosacea, or blepharitis. Use a moisturizer for dry skin to ease the symptoms.
Can lack of sleep affect dry skin under the eyes?
After many sleepless nights, some people complain of dry skin under eyes. Lack of sleep also results in dark circles under the eyes and droopy eyelids.
Conclusion
To give the skin around your eyes the care it needs, make sure to use a moisturizer for dry skin. However, not all skincare products can provide optimum results. Choose the best products that have excellent anti-aging properties to combat premature wrinkles and lines around your eyes and eliminate all signs of dryness.
References
1] ↑https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/survey-reveals-itchy-skin-ranks-among-americans-top-winter-troubles-300773073.html
2] ↑https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK565884/
3] ↑https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5849435/
4] ↑https://www.solvadermstore.com/blogs/skin-care/
Amna Eltawil
Amna Eltawil is an Egyptian journalist who grew up on the coast of the Mediterranean in Alexandria, Egypt, before moving to Cairo and getting her bachelor's in journalism. From there, she went on to cover new stories and entertainment news for several local and international platforms. Amna enjoys visiting cities on the Mediterranean reminiscent of her childhood city Alexandria, like Barcelona, and she can never have enough of Paris, where she simply likes to walk the streets of the city and enjoy a simple Parisian crepe or have a chill picnic.
