A Holistic Approach To Treating Dry Skin
WHAT IS DRY SKIN?
Dry skin is one of the most common skin complaints that we hear among our customers. It's where a lack of water and natural oils in the upper layers of the skin can cause the skin to feel tight, dry and uncomfortable. It's not pleasant, and if left unmanaged skin can become itchy, sensitive and flaky. Not only that but dry skin is usually the first of all the skin types to show signs of ageing.
If dry skin isn't properly cared for, it can lead to a weakened skin barrier/ microbiome, and so can be more prone to allergies and infections. As our skin is our first line of defence against external environmental threats, it’s of vital importance that we keep the skin barrier, healthy, hydrated, and able to carry out its many protective functions.
Dry skin is most noticeable on the delicate facial skin, around the eyes, lips and ears, as well as knees, elbows and feet, and is especially problematic in the colder winter months. This is because in winter lower temperatures inhibit blood circulation to the outer layers of our skin, which slows down sebum production and the natural process of shedding of old cells, both of which result in dryer and flakier skin that ages quickly.
If you find you are always reaching for a comforting lip balm, hand cream or rich moisturiser to quench your skin, then it’s likely that your skin falls into this category. The good news is that with the right hydration, nutrition and skincare, even naturally dry skin can look dewy-fresh, soft, nourished and glowing at all times of the year.
HOW TO APPROACH DRY SKIN - INTERNALLY
Many factors influence the condition of our skin, from the foods we eat, to our gut health, hydration level, exposure to pollution, air conditioning, the skincare and make up products that we use etc.
Our first step in working with dry skin is to begin with the right internal hydration and nutrition - two vital factors that cannot be overlooked no matter what your skin type!
For dry skin especially, getting the right hydration really is vital, as dry skin naturally produces less sebum and holds less water within its layers. Drinking plenty of clean, pure water (we like spring water or distilled water with a pinch of high-quality sea salt – no tap water!) and eating an organic, wholefood diet is always going to be at the core of optimal health and vitality.
While hydration and nutritional needs will be different for everyone, for dry skin we like to eat plenty of water-rich fruits and vegetables, along with anti-inflammatory foods such as wild-caught salmon, sardines, cold olive oil, avocados, olives, ghee and leafy greens. These natural, whole foods will offer structured water, essential fatty acids, a balance of micro and macro nutrients, as well as being rich in protective antioxidants.
For all skin types, it’s best to avoid highly processed foods, refined seed oils, excess sugar, alcohol and non-organic grains, as these can all lead to inflammation within the body which will also show up on your skin and inevitably lead to other health conditions too.
If you have been desperately using ointments, creams and remedies, to no avail, to combat dry skin, but haven’t yet factored in your nutrition and hydration, we recommend taking a step back to look at what you are eating and how much pure water you are taking in each day. These are really key elements when it comes to creating happy, radiant skin, and it's best to start here before investing a lot in your skincare.
Stress, allergies and hormone changes can all impact our skin health too, so in addition to an organic, wholefood diet and pure, clean water, be sure to look at whether you are getting enough quality sleep, movement and relaxation.
Focusing on all these areas for a month or two will help you to improve all areas of your physical and emotional health, as well creating a basis for optimal skin health.
Many will find that their dry skin condition is greatly lessened and beautifully managed with the right nutrition and hydration alone, although adding in carefully selected skincare on top of an internal approach is a sure-fire way of creating the most radiant and youthful skin.
HOW TO APPROACH DRY SKIN – EXTERNALLY
Dry skin will need a nourishing, hydrating skincare routine to provide all the comfort and moisture that it needs, and to support the skin barrier and microbiome.
We all want soft, radiant, glowing skin, and for those with dry skin it is of the utmost importance to always keep the skin well moisturised and exfoliated to achieve this result. Ensuring adequate moisture will protect and improve the skin barrier, helping you to reduce the impact of allergens, environmental pollutants as well as stave off accelerated signs of ageing.
An essential skin care routine for dry skin would include a nourishing cleanser, exfoliation, hyaluronic serum and a rich day cream. This would be a basic routine to care for your dry skin.
If you are someone who loves to play around with skincare and have a more detailed routine, you could also add in a facial mist or toner, a regular face mask and a facial oil to bring further nourishment and hydration to your skin.
STEP 1: CLEANSING
We like to begin our dry skin routine with a gentle, moisturising cleanser to deep clean, smooth and brighten the skin morning and night.
Nunaia’s Superfood Cleansing Balm is a dream cleansing balm. It’s made with all natural and organic ingredients, has the most uplifting scent and glides onto skin beautifully to lift all traces of make up and daily grime. We love how soft and nourished skin feels afterwards, and how the balm makes cleansing a relaxing ritual to look forward to at the end of the each day.
STEP 2: EXFOLIATION
We also recommend regular exfoliation to remove any old, dry skin cells to leave skin brighter and smoother. We love something like Juice Beauty’s Exfoliating Peel Spray or Agent Nateur’s Lactic Acid Brightening Cleanser for every day, super gentle exfoliation. These are both so easy to use, take next to no time and leave skin super soft and bright. They are also non-irritating and suitable for use on almost every skin type, even skin that might be sensitised (we always recommend patch testing every new product before use, especially if you have sensitive skin).
Agent Nateur Acid Wash Lactic Acid Brightening Cleanser, €59
Once or twice a week we like to use something like Evolve Organic Beauty’s Radiant Glow 2-in-1 Scrub Mask for deeper exfoliation to polish away roughness, leaving a smoother and brighter complexion. Made with raw cacao powder, clay and upcycled coconut particles this scrub mask really helps to revitalise, purify and buff skin to perfection.
STEP 3: TONERS & FACE MISTS
The right toner can help to gently resurface the skin, while adding comfort, hydration and boosting glow in one step.
Evolve Organic Beauty, Daily Defence Moisture Mist, €29
We adore this Daily Defence Mist from Evolve, which is deeply hydrating with Hyaluronic Acid and Prickly Pear, and also has prebiotics to strengthen the skin barrier. We can also recommend Sun Potion's beautiful Solar Rose Water to refresh the skin while uplifting and reenergising throughout the day, and Ere Perez create a beautiful Herbal Face Tonic that is rich in botanicals and hyaluronic acid to improve hydration, tone and texture.
STEP 4: HYALURONIC ACID
For an intense boost of moisture you cannot beat Hyaluronic Acid. Hyaluronic Acid also pairs so well with Vitamin C so that you get the hydration and softness along with the added radiance and protection offered by Vitamin C.
The Organic Pharmacy, Hyaluronic Acid €45
We love The Organic Pharmacy’s Hyaluronic Acid Serum which is super light and easily absorbed into the skin. It delivers an instant boost of dewy hydration and plumps up lines and wrinkles in seconds.
Antipodes Glow Ritual C Serum combines Hyaluronic Acid with Vitamin C to give a dewy, luminous finish to the skin, while also bringing powerful antioxidant protection and boosting collagen production.
STEP 5: MOISTURISER
A rich face cream can help to counteract lost moisture quickly, bringing softness, radiance and glow back to dry and dull skin.
Ere Perez, Moringa All Beauty Creme, €42
We love a luxurious cream to improve firmness, elasticity and glow, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and adding brightness and improved hydration over time, like Moringa All Beauty Cream from Ere Perez, and the Multi Peptide 360 Moisture Cream from Evolve Beauty, for their dreamy, rich texture and how they leave skin feeling all hydrated and cushiony soft.
STEP 6: EMERGENCY HYDRATION
We also love a versatile balm such as Ere Perez SOS Marmalade for emergencies when you need a direct boost of soothing hydration for lips or problem areas.
This all-in-one repair balm is great for anywhere you need an intense hit of concentrated moisture. With a nourishing cocktail of coconut, hemp, chia, grapefruit oil & fermented papaya it delivers essential antioxidants & vitamins to the skin, while calendula calms inflammation and encourages restoration.
STEP 7: EYE CREAMS
Eye Cream can help to plump up fine lines and wrinkles that can be exaggerated by dryness. It will help to firm and smooth crow’s feet, which are pronounced by dryness, as well as reduce puffiness and the appearance of dark circle for a fresh, more well-rested look.
Ere Perez, Cranberry Lip & Eye Butter, €33
We love Ere Perez Cranberry Lip and Eye Cream to bring deep hydration to delicate areas. It helps to plump up fine lines, cools, soothes and helps skin to regenerate.
STEP 8: FACIAL OIL
A facial oil over your day cream can really help to lock in moisture. We love a luxurious, silky face oil to further soften the skin, leaving it smoother and more radiant. Not everyone is a fan of face oils, but for dry skin we find that skin looks firmer, more smoothed out and you glow much more than with creams and serums alone.
Nunaia, Nourishing Radiance Serum, €79
You cannot beat Nunaia’s Nourishing Radiance Serum for an ultra-organic, glow-boosting serum. Use it alone, over your favourite day cream, or add a drop or two to your foundation for the softest, most luminous skin.
STEP 9: LIP CARE
There is nothing worse in beauty than flaky, sore, chapped lips! It's hard to feel confident when this is going on. For super dry lips we love to use Ilia’s Lip Wrap Reviving Balm and Olio E Osso’s tinted balms, all made with super-moisturising formulas that will leave lips feeling comfortable and soft.
Ilia Beauty, Lip Wrap Reviving Balm, €28
Keep a hydrating lip balm in your purse, kitchen, car and at your desk, for an instant hit of hydration when needed.
STEP 10: BODY CARE
When it comes to body care, we love Sun Tribe’s Organic Coconut Body Butter for an all-over glow.
Suntribe Organic Coconut Body Butter, €22
You only need a small amount of this rich, hydrating and ultra nourishing, butter giving you an amazing, moisturised sheen that lasts throughout the day and helps limbs to look well-cared for and glowing with health.
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When it comes to dry skin be sure to give it all the love that it needs by keeping your internal hydration and nutrition in balance, and by creating a nourishing, hydrating skincare routine that focuses on maintaining a health skin barrier and soothing dry skin with natural, organic and botanical ingredients.
With the right care and attention, your dry skin can always present as healthy, happy, radiant skin.
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