Dry skin - essential ingredients (and those to avoid!)

Flaking, itching, redness, tightness. Does this sound all too familiar? Dry facial skin plagues many of us, and it’s all we can to keep our complexion looking soft and supple. When we turn to skincare products to relieve us from our dry spells, there are particular ingredients to look for that will hydrate, nourish, and protect the skin on our face.

Hyaluronic Acid: Hyaluronic Acid is produced naturally in our joints, eyes, and sub-layers of the skin. It is an ultra-moisturizing humectant, which means it absorbs water from the air and binds to your skin’s surface. Intensive hydration serums like Excelagene that include hyaluronic acid are super hydrating, locking in moisture and giving your skin a radiant, healthy glow.

Squalane: Although squalane is created in the body, its production decreases as we age. Thankfully it can also be found in food such as olives, and products like Stemuderm source this precious oil and use it as a foundation to restore the skin’s oil balance. Squalane also forms a protective barrier between the skin and the surrounding environment, protecting it from the elements and sealing in hydration.

Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil: As the name suggests, this oil is extracted from the seeds of grapes and has been celebrated for years for its anti-aging effects. It is packed with vitamins and omega-3 fatty acids, and you can find it in moisturizers like Suvoderm. Grapeseed oil is a powerful moisturizer that has the added benefits of improving skin function and appearance.

Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil: Most of you are aware of the soothing effects of lavender. The oil replenishes moisture while calming the skin of any irritation, blotchiness, and redness. It also deeply purifies while promoting hydration, and can be found in gentle cleansers like Rejuvoderm.

Glycerin Glycerin is both a humectant and an emollient. This combination helps the skin retain a perfect moisture balance that leaves it soft, hydrated, and plump with nourishment. Using glycerin regularly, as in the moisturizer Dermaxsol, will really smooth your skin and strengthen the epidermal layer.

Ingredients to avoid for dry skin

We use skincare products to improve our skin, not make it worse. But some face washes, moisturizers, and other treatments we buy have ingredients that cause irritation, dry out our skin even further, or are harmful to our health in some way. Most of us are unaware of the hidden dangers, so here are some ingredients to avoid to keep you and your skin healthy:

• Parabens – The FDA has been warning against products with parabens for many years now. There are several studies linking parabens to breast cancer, skin cancer, and decreased sperm count because it closely imitates estrogen. Although some of the findings are inconclusive, there is evidence some parabens may disturb the endocrine system, which in turn can cause reproductive issues and developmental disorders. When buying a moisturizer look to make sure it is paraben-free, such as Suvoderm and Dermaxsol. These moisturizers contain only safe ingredients that promote optimum skin health and hydration.
• Sulfates – Sulfates are a common ingredient found in lots of soaps and face washes. The reason some manufacturers add sulfates is that they cause the product to lather, which makes it look like its working. But, just because a product creates foam does not mean it is effective or safe. The concern surrounding sulfates is that they cause skin and eye irritation. It’s best to find facial washes that don’t include them, like Rejuvoderm. This skin cleanser is chock full of very gentle, natural elements and purifies and clarifies just as you'd expect it to.
• Fragrance – Many personal skincare products use fragrance to cover up any unpleasant odors in their formulation. These perfumes can dry out the skin and cause irritation. We all like to apply products that have a nice aroma, so opt for skincare that uses essential oils and plant-based scents like Maxatone, infused with lemon peel extract, calendula flower extract, lavender extract, and sage leaf extract.