A number of people have dry skin. It happens when the skin does not have all the water or naturally occurring oils it needs to maintain itself and remain moist and supple. To stay healthy and do its job, the skin needs water and naturally occurring oils to keep it soft, supple, and stretchy. Without moisture and oils, skin can dry out.
The skin is the body’s first line of defense. It stops harmful microorganisms, such as viruses and bacteria, from getting into the body. It also protects people from the environment. Environmental causes of dry skin include taking long, hot showers or baths, living in cold, dry conditions, and more. To get your skin back to its silken, plump, and more youthful glow, you’ll have to work from the inside out.
Work on the “inside”
Drinking enough water increases circulation, which supports healthier, clearer, suppler skin.
Sip green tea to take advantage of its antioxidants called catechins. Antioxidants can help protect the body from inflammation and oxidative damage that can damage the skin.
For silkier skin, consume fruits and vegetables in shades of orange, red, blue, and green, which burst with protective antioxidants, like vitamins A, C, and E.
For supple skin, eat foods containing biotin, a B vitamin involved in your body’s production of fat.
Work on the “out”
As the years go by, our skin’s collagen production and elastin slow down. Collagen provides strength and support to the skin, and elastin gives skin its elasticity – that plump, springy “bounce-back” your skin had when you were younger. To boost the bounce, use products designed to firm, tone, and tighten your skin. Look for ingredients like niacinamide (vitamin B3) – to strengthen your skin’s surface layer to make it more resilient to damage – and peptides to ramp up your skin’s collagen production.
As soon as you finish cleansing your skin, pat dry and promptly apply moisturizer to lock in the water that’s left on your skin’s surface. Skin that is kept moisturized is suppler and smoother to the touch.
Give yourself a gentle facial massage to stimulate circulation in your skin. First, rub your hands together to warm them up. Lightly press your palms to your forehead and pull your hands down your face, across your cheeks, and down to your chin. Move your hands back to your cheeks and press in circles like you’re washing your face.
And always protect your skin from further damage by wearing sunscreen or an SPF-enhanced moisturizer whenever you spend time outdoors. Choose a sunscreen that protects against both UVA and UVB rays and has an SPF of at least 30.
