Dry Skin
As many of us enter the colder months of the year, dry skin often becomes a concern. Dry skin is a very common condition that affects many people, especially in winter. It is often referred to as the “winter itch.” To combat this condition, we find ourselves reaching for the thick, heavy creams but often still experience irritating itchiness, redness, or dry flakes.
We went to the expert, celebrity aesthetician, Candace Marino for the answers. Also known as The LA Facialist, Candace reminded us of several factors to consider when dealing with dry a skin condition. Here’s what she had to say:
1. Why am I oily and dry simultaneously?
“Skin is never defined by one specific type or condition; skin is ever changing and is impacted by both internal and external factors. Because of this, the skin can have multiple “types” and conditions. Oftentimes when someone is both dry and oily, they are actually dehydrated. Dehydrated skin will manifest as dryness, but the skin is not lacking in oil production, it is lacking in hydration. Naturally, the skin does not produce water, so it is our job to topically hydrate it. When the skin is hydrated, it is balanced, and this will slow down the production of oil since the skin is topically protected. In all cases, the goal of skincare is to create balance in the skin, and hydration is the key to achieving this balance. Hydra-Cool Serum is a go-to product that all skin types can benefit from; a true Dry Skin will use this serum to bind more moisture to the skin, while a super oily or acne-prone skin will achieve balance and benefit from the antibacterial properties in the formula.”
2. How does exfoliation help dry skin conditions?
“When someone is dry, they almost always are under exfoliating. Dry skin types often reach for hydrating creams and oils to lock in moisture, but when you hydrate dead skin cells, you actually build up a thicker wall of dead skin and prevent your serums and creams from penetrating and ultimately doing their job. For your moisturizers to work for you, you need skin that is able to absorb which means the skin must be properly exfoliated. The key to moisturized skin is exfoliated skin, you cannot have one without the other.”
3. Sunscreens are drying to my skin. Can I avoid them?
“Sunscreens are not drying your skin; there are hundreds of formulations available on the market today, and just because one product does not suit your skin type, does not mean all sunscreens will have that effect on you. SPF should never be avoided or skipped, it is the number one way to keep your skin healthy and youthful for your lifetime. I would suggest Extreme Protect SPF 30 which is a broad spectrum sunscreen but is also an antioxidant-rich, anti-aging, and moisturizing base.”
4. What should I look for in a moisturizer to treat my dry skin?
“Humectants, ceramides, and fatty acids.”
5. Are there professional treatments to help dry skin conditions?
“If you are super dry, I would recommend seeing a professional for a deep exfoliating treatment, this will help cut through the dead cell build up and allow for proper hydration. Dermaplaning is an incredible method of mechanical exfoliation which physically removes dead cells from the surface of the skin, the skin will then be able to receive any hydration we apply. The Fire and Ice Facial is also a great treatment for dry skin, it works to break down dead skin cells and is followed by a cooling mask to surge the skin with hydration and lock in moisture.”
