Dry skin

Everyone encounters dry skin at some point in life. Our skin has a protective lipid membrane, known as the lipid envelope, which forms an invisible film on the skin that protects it from damage and moisture loss, while promoting the renewal of the uppermost horny layer.

The lipid barrier consists of ceramides – fatty acids which together form our protective envelope. When the lipid membrane is depleted, unprotected areas develop on the skin.

The lipid barrier can be damaged by various conditions:

the active use of retinoids, as well as products containing acids, breaks down the protective lipid layer, leading to moisture loss and a feeling of dryness. Therefore, when following an active at-home skincare routine, we always recommend using restorative creams with ceramides to restore the lipid envelope;
active exposure to the sun also contributes to the breakdown of the lipid barrier;
aggressive climatic conditions (wind, frost, etc.), dry air and increased use of heating also disrupt the function of the lipid envelope.

In this situation, we can speak of dryness as a condition that can be changed by restoring the lipid layer. To restore the lipid layer, it is necessary to use skincare products containing ceramides.

Dryness as a skin type

Dryness can be not only a temporary skin condition, but also a skin type.

In this case, a person is born with an insufficient number of sebaceous glands, practically no pores and a weak lipid barrier. This type of skin is often sensitive, prone to rosacea, reacts to changes in climate and is susceptible to dermatitis.

In this case, in addition to using ceramides, it is also necessary to use emollients – for example, urea, glycerin and serums with hyaluronic acid. It is also important to maintain fluid balance and consume sufficient amounts of healthy fats.

External stress factors should also be avoided, and the skin should be protected from the environment; for example, in severe frost, apply a thick protective cream.