8 reasons why you have dry skin on your face and what to do about it

Do you have problems with dry skin on your face? You’re not alone.

Dry skin (also known as xerosis) is a common condition that can affect people of any age, although it is more common in adults over 40. Symptoms usually include peeling, itching or a tightening sensation that can even be painful.

Causes of dry skin range from temporary stressors to chronic conditions. It is therefore important to identify the underlying causes of dry skin.

Temporary causes of dry skin

You may notice that at certain times of the year, your skin looks tight or flaky due to environmental conditions or a specific cosmetic product.

The four most common causes of temporarily dry skin are:

1. Lack of moisture in the air

The outer layer of skin, known as the epidermis, reflects the amount of moisture in the air. The skin of our body is a rapidly changing organ that reacts quickly and visibly to external conditions. In climates where humidity is low, the result is surface dryness. In addition, studies have confirmed that low humidity combined with low temperature can damage skin moisture (water bound within the cells of the skin epidermis), leading to trans-epidermal water loss (TELW) and dry, irritated skin.

2. Use of solid soap or other products

Unless you are using a chemical peel, your skin should not peel after using a cleanser, toner or any other product. A common culprit for dryness and irritation is the use of a formula with a pH that exceeds the skin’s natural level (which is around 5.5). Studies have also confirmed that formulas with high pH can compromise the lipid barrier function, leading to extreme dryness and other conditions such as acne.

3. Showering or bathing in warm water

If you prefer long, hot showers or baths in cold weather, consider lowering the temperature by a few degrees. Increased exposure to hot water can severely dry out the skin. It can also leave your skin tight and looking flushed, similar to sunburn.

4. Dryness due to dehydrated skin

Dehydrated skin is often mistaken for dry skin, as there is a lot of overlap in symptoms. However, dry skin is a skin type that indicates a lack of oil in the skin, while dehydrated skin is a temporary skin condition resulting from a lack of moisture. Oily skin can also become dehydrated, which can lead to excessive sebum production.

Chronic causes of dry skin

Dry skin on the face – and other parts of the body – can be caused by a medical condition. For a correct diagnosis, visit your doctor or. dermatologist.

Four causes of chronically dry skin:

1. Contact dermatitis

Contact dermatitis is an allergic reaction to a substance that directly touches your skin. Common symptoms include itching and redness, but dryness and scaling can also be prevalent. Irritants in skin care products can be fragrances, preservatives or detergents.

2. Eccem

Eczema, or atopic dermatitis, is a chronic skin disease characterised by dry patches, redness and itching. It can be caused by genetics, immune dysfunction, digestive problems (such as leaky gut) and stress. Outbreaks can occur due to other medical conditions (such as hay fever), infections or allergies.

3. Psoriasis

While clusters of dead skin cells are more common on the hands and feet, psoriasis can also affect the face, resulting in the characteristic scaly, inflamed and itchy skin. Triggers can include stress, certain medications and other infections (such as sore throats).

4. Seborrhoeic dermatitis

Seborrhoeic dermatitis, which is usually found on the scalp, can also be found on the eyebrows, chin/chin and other parts of the face that may not be covered by hair. The affected areas will appear oily but will also be burdened by dandruff.

How to take action and prevent dry skin

Once you have identified the cause of dry skin, it is much easier to take action. What are the best ways? Here are some of the best methods you can use to get rid of dry, flaky skin and prevent it from recurring.

Moisturising (even if you have oily skin)

Moisturising is perhaps one of the easiest ways to combat dry skin. All skin types can benefit from a suitable moisturiser, even oily skin. For best results, it is essential to choose a moisturiser that best suits your skin type.

However, if your skin barrier is compromised (often indicated by an increase in scaly skin or breakouts), look for a ceramide cream. These mimic the skin’s natural moisturising system and are essential when the skin barrier is compromised.

For night skin care Rich nourishing creamcontaining Ceramide NPs that help repair and restore your lipid barrier while providing deep hydration. We recommend applying the cream before Hyaluronic Serum to increase the skin’s moisture level.

For daily use, try Antioxidant cream. This is a slightly lighter cream that also contains ceramides, while providing extra daily protection against environmental pollutants thanks to a combination of highly active antioxidants. It is also available Intensive Moisturising Fluidwhich provides all-day hydration: the texture is pleasant, light and quickly absorbed, making it suitable even for oily skin.

Use gentle formulas with low pH

Avoid products that leave the skin tight and dehydrated. This “tight” feeling can be a breeding ground for many skin problems. Gentle skincare products with a pH close to the skin’s natural pH will refresh your skin without irritating it. As mentioned earlier, formulas with high pH can increase dryness and other skin infections.

Gentle cleansing milk with ginseng has an average pH value of 5.5 so that you can gently remove dirt, oils and impurities from the skin. It contains soothing hops extract, which is anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial, and ginseng extract, which revitalises and restores radiance to the skin, as well as rice bran oil, which is rich in tocopherols, antioxidants and vitamin E. Your skin will not only be clean, but also sufficiently moisturised, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Meanwhile, concentrated care such as Booster, adds an extra boost of moisture to your skin. This formula contains retinol, resveratrol, acerola extract and other antioxidants and helps to maintain our skin’s lipid barrier and helps to intensively hydrate the skin with the help of vegeluronic acid, an excellent moisturiser similar to hyaluronic acid.

Add moisture to the air

Lack of moisture in the air can contribute significantly to dry skin. In your home-where you may have a continuously running air conditioning or heating system-you can solve this problem with a humidifier.

But if you’re out and about, you can help yourself with Tonic with damask rose and green teato give your skin an extra boost of moisture. This formula contains green tea and the beautiful damask rose, plus 7 moisturisers.

Take cooler and shorter showers

This tip can be especially difficult to follow when it’s cold outside, but hot water can dry and damage the skin. The good news is that you don’t need to lower the water temperature below freezing. It is recommended to shower in lukewarm water for a maximum of 15 minutes to avoid drying out the skin.

Visit a dermatologist

If your attempts to remove dry patches have been in vain, you should see a dermatologist for a proper diagnosis. This will not only provide appropriate treatment options (which may include prescription products), but also determine whether your dryness is due to a medical condition, or whether it may be due to a skin condition or another cause (such as diabetes).

If you have dry skin on your face, there is hope

Flaky, irritated skin on the face is not only unpleasant, it can also undermine self-confidence. However, with a holistic approach – with the help of a line of NANU – line, you can alleviate this common skin problem. manage it.

Assess the needs and problems of the whole body – not just the skin – taking into account the environment, habits and patterns. This will help you come up with the solution you need for more hydrated, healthier skin.

Personalised skincare routines

Create your own personalised skincare routine – among the 8 products in the NANU range – and find the perfect combination of products for your skin.

→ Find your routine (Product Guide)