You may have dry skin if your skin feels tight and irritable, has accentuated fine lines and wrinkles, and your complexion appears dull or rough.
Dry skin is characterized by a lack of moisture, tightness, and flaking. Dry, chapped skin needs a gentle skincare routine with moisturizing and balancing oils high in oleic acid to promote sebum production and help decrease inflammation. The goal is for skin cells to become plump and supple and for redness and irritation to disperse.
We use: rosehip, pomegranate, sunflower, red raspberry, tamanu, olive, and argan in our dry blends. Carrier Oils for Custom Blends has descriptions of each oil.
Dry Characteristics
Dry skin is a result of a decrease in sebum production necessary to keep skin moist and lubricated. This decline in oil barrier causes water to easily evaporate through skin. Dry skin could be attributed to a genetic predisposition or inappropriate skincare habits. It is often made worse by weather, hormones, medications, indoor heat, and ingredients in soaps and other products. Dry skin is fine-textured, delicate, and has a tendency to line easily. For many people with dry skin, washing with soap and water makes their face feel as though it is going to crack.
Dry skin is most common during cold winter months, in dry climates, among the elderly and individuals with a history of dermatitis or skin conditions. You may have dry skin under the following conditions:
- Lack of oil and moisture causes:
- Itchy and easily irritated skin, burning with severe cases.
- Skin to appear rough and flaky, red and uneven, or gray and ashy.
- Skin to become more prone to fine lines, wrinkles, and cracks.
- Common issue for women entering menopause.
- Skin feels tight and irritable.
- Slow secretion of sebum.
- Can be extra sensitive to external stimulation.
- Small or invisible pores.
- Dull, rough complexion especially on cheeks or around eyes.
- Less elasticity.
- Itchy skin during winter.
- Excessively dry skin in winter, cool temperatures, dry heat, and lower humidity drain moisture causing flaky, itchy skin.
- For those with normally dry or sensitive skin, it will often worsen during winter months.
- Keeping skin well hydrated and replacing natural oils with moisturizers can help.
Do I Have Dry Skin?
- You have dry skin if it feels tight and itchy.
- Your complexion is rough with visible fine lines.
- If you press a tissue to your face in the morning no oil will be present.
- Another test is to press a piece of tape to your forehead:
- If flakes are present on the tape, you have dry skin.
- The tape method is also effective for knowing when it is time to exfoliate.
Check out our post Treating Dry Skin for more information on treatments and Natural Face Oils for oil application instructions and ways to use oils in your skincare routine.