Dry Skin Dilemma

People of all ages can have dry skin troubles. Even oily skin can have dry or “dehydrated” symptoms. The culprits are varied – sun exposure, pollution and a variety of ingredients in cleansers, moisturizers and treatment creams can all add to this condition. Redness, itching, flaking and fine lines/wrinkles can result from dried-out skin

One of the major trouble-makers is alcohol (both the drinking kind and the ingredient kind!). Look down your product ingredient lists – you’ll probably come across “denatured alcohol” (also listed a SD alcohol, SDA, Ethyl or Grain alcohol). It may feel good on oily skin for its initial drying effect but, eventually, will cause oil overflow because the skin begins compensating for oil loss.

Cetyl and Cetearyl alcohols are different from SDA and actually resemble components in our skin’s oil. Other ingredients to help hydrate the skin include hyaluronic acid, shea butter and vitamin E to name a few. It pays to review the ingredients. Even some cleansers and moisturizers that claim to be “hydrating” can have ingredients that are drying.

Reducing alcohol intake and increasing water and fruit juice intake is a must for healthy skin. Using the appropriate cleansers and moisturizers for you skin type are also very beneficial – like oil absorbers for oily skin and richer emollients for dryer skin types. (Also, smoking is extremely dehydrating and ages the skin.)

See your skin care therapist from recommendations.