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Here are the fixes for when harsh January weather takes its toll on your complexion
Often in winter, we hear the complaint, “My skin is so dry at the moment.” It feels taut, looks uneven and dull, or is flaking unattractively. In a worst case scenario, it’s all of the above. However, the problem we are experiencing may not be dry skin but dehydrated skin, a very different thing. While you might be treating your newly dry-feeling skin with products for dry skin, what you really need is something for dehydration. Lindsey Fenwick of Irish skincare brand Skinician, says that the first thing people need to understand is that dryness is a skin type that you are born with and cannot be changed, just treated. “Dry skin will have few or no visible pores and therefore will not produce large amounts of oil to assist in lubricating the skin surface,” says Lindsey.
She explains that on the other hand, dehydration is the result of environmental factors and lifestyle. “It is caused by a loss of moisture from the outer layers of the skin, affecting any skin type including dry skin.” The environmental factors include harsh weather and central heating, which causes the skin’s barrier to become porous, allowing water to evaporate and in some cases, allowing skincare product to absorb too quickly causing stinging and redness. “As the skin becomes increasingly stripped of moisture, it will exhibit symptoms similar to that of dry skin, including flaking, tightness and discomfort.” Lindsey advises the use of more nourishing and repairing products that contain ingredients such as shea butter, polycerids, botanical B-glucans and vitamin E, to protect and repair the skin, so look out for these on the ingredients list. “I advise those experiencing increased dehydration, dryness or sensitivity, to use a slightly heavier moisturiser during the day. For those with oily skin and break-outs, apply the heavier cream to the irritated areas only.” She also warns that exfoliation is especially important in winter, as it speeds up the removal of dry and dull cells and stimulates the production of a new healthy undamaged skin surface. “Cell renewal is key to the repair of the skin’s natural protective barrier. It also allows active ingredients to penetrate better, especially like a mask to feed and repair skin.”