WHAT ARE THE CAUSES AND FEATURES OF DRY SKIN?

We all want glowing complexions, but for those with dry skin, shaking off rough textures and dullness can feel like a never-ending battle. Not to be confused with dehydrated skin, features of dry skin like dulled complexions and flaking are typical for this skin type.

If you tend to err on the dry side of skin, fear not. We may be born with naturally drier complexions, but the cause of dry skin can still be improved via a nourishing skincare routine. Lancôme’s bespoke skincare for dry skin is formulated with intensely hydrating ingredients that work to moisturise deep skin layers. So, want to know what causes dry skin on face and how best to support yours? Consider this your bible to bright, hydrated and soft skin. Let’s dive in.

How do you know if you have dry skin?

Even oily skin types can experience dryness from time to time. This is caused by dehydration – where skin lacks water content, leading to dulled complexions and a feeling of tightness. Dryness on the other hand is motivated by a lack of oil throughout multiple skin layers. So, what does dry skin look like? Those with a reduced production of oil (or sebum, as it’s called in skin) will often have the following features:

• Flaky, dead skin on the surface layer
• Sensitivity
• Pronounced fine lines or wrinkles
• Skin which is rough to the touch
• A dulled complexion which struggles to reflect light

Causes of dry skin

Knowing what dry skin looks like is one part of understanding your skin’s unique needs, but to curate your ideal skincare regime you’ll need to figure out what causes dry skin on the face for you. Persistent dryness results from a lack of oil throughout the skin’s deeper layers, which then pushes dry skin cells to the surface. This is the natural and ongoing state for dry skin types, but other causes of dry, flaky skin can amplify it:

1.     Age

As we age our natural production of sebum slows. For already typically dry skin types, your 30s, 40s, 50s and beyond will see an increase in features of dry skin. This is also why dry skin types often present aging signs like fine lines or wrinkles more visibly (lucky us!).

2.     Weather conditions

Winter skin is no joke, and the colder months tend to see an uptake in dullness and flakiness. If your winter dry skin looks like a more extreme version of your usual complexion, that’s because of the dry air synonymous with cooler months, which pulls moisture from skin layers.

3.     UV radiation

In Australia, sun exposure propels visible, premature aging signs in the skin more than any other stressor. It’s also one cause of dry skin all over the body – so proper sun protection is essential every day of the year. Sunscreen, clothing, hats and shade can help to keep moisture in skin.

How to restore moisture back to skin

To mitigate the causes of dry skin and help yours retain softness, bounce and light, a moisturiser shouldn’t be your only hydrating product. Skin types with reduced sebum production can return to a dry state quicker than others, so focusing on nourishment across your skincare routine will help your skin to stay radiant for longer. See the Lancôme products that can disrupt the cause of dry skin and support yours properly below.

1. Use a non-drying cleanser

Cleansers play an essential first step in purifying and prepping skin, but it’s important not to ‘over-cleanse’ and remove moisture. Instead, opt for a non-drying formula which works to impart moisture back to skin. This sets your skin up beautifully with immediate nourishment. Crème Mousse Confort Face Cleanser is formulated in a rich mousse texture to provide optimal comfort to dry skin types.

2. Implement toners into your routine

If you haven’t yet used a toner (or aren’t even really sure what toner is), it might be time to take a closer look. Toners can benefit dry skin greatly thanks to their dual function of moisturising and supporting the absorption of other products. The causes of very dry skin occur within deep layers of skin, so it’s important that your hydrating skincare has access beyond the surface. Tonique Confort saturates skin in hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, sweet almond and rose water, comforting and softening skin as it works.

3. Apply a hydrating serum

Hydrating serums are one of dry skin’s best friends, as they can address what causes dry skin on face at a deep level. The lighter molecular structure and texture of this skincare ingredient means that it can support and hydrate multiple skin layers – making it a potent step in achieving luminous complexions. Our #1 serum Génifique Ultimate Serum is enriched with hyaluronic acid, vitamin Cg and prebiotic factions to nourish and strengthen skin.

4. Use the right moisturiser formula

Dry skin types need a little extra support, and specially formulated moisturisers reflect this. To effectively hydrate your skin, make sure that your moisturiser is suitably nourishing. This also means distinguishing between AM and PM creams, as our skin can benefit from increased moisture while we sleep.

In the AM, Nutrix Nourishing and Soothing Cream intensely hydrates while still ensuring that skin can breathe. Dry skin feels soft, supple and comforted throughout the day. As part of your evening routine, opt for a thick-textured formula like Advanced Génifique Night Cream. This luxurious formula strengthens the skin moisture barrier with triple ceramides for youthful and bouncy skin when you wake.

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