The skin is one of the most important organs in our body. It shapes our appearance, gives a feeling of touch, warmth or cold, and protects against infection. Only moisturized skin looks good and performs its functions.
Without water, the metabolic processes in the skin slow down, and the skin loses its ability to function correctly. Thereby the receptors become less sensitive, some of the skin cells die, which reduces the protective functions, and there is a feeling of tightness, dryness, peeling, itching, irritation. The risk of premature ageing, sun damage and the threat of infection from the outside increases.
Dry skin is the main cause of skin problems. More than 40% of visits to dermatologists are associated with dry skin. 
Dryness can occur anywhere on the body, but most often it occurs on the feet, knees, elbows, hands and face because these are the most vulnerable areas. Dry skin on the face provokes premature ageing.
Causes of dry skin
The causes of dry skin can be divided into external and internal. External causes are associated with environmental influences. They impair the function of the skin as a natural barrier, which leads to an increase in moisture loss through the skin. Internal causes are related to the state of the body.
External reasons
- Weather conditions – frost, wind and heat deplete the lipid layer and moisture reserves, and disrupt the protective function of the skin.
Ultraviolet rays – accelerates ageing of the skin, and with ageing it becomes prone to dryness.- Frequent visits to the solarium have the same effect.
- Dry air at home and in the workplace, and air conditioning stimulates the evaporation of moisture from the surface of the epidermis.
- Improper skin care (aggressive cosmetics destroy the lipid film).
- Use of detergents without gloves.
- Frequent washing and prolonged hot baths remove the layer of lipids that perform protective functions.
Internal reasons
- Improper diet, strict diets, excessive consumption of sweets, carbonated drinks, coffee or alcohol. This affects the activity of the sebaceous glands.
- Insufficient consumption of clean water. If the body receives little water, the skin also lacks it.
Deficiency of vitamins A and E, minerals. Metabolic processes in the body as a whole, and in the skin, in particular, are disrupted.
- Skin diseases (dermatitis, psoriasis, bacterial and fungal infections).
- Endocrine system diseases. With diabetes and thyroid diseases, dry skin occurs.
- Diseases of the digestive system. The work of the sebaceous glands is disrupted.
- Long-term use of certain medications, such as diuretics to control hypertension, statins and niacin to control cholesterol can adversely dry the skin.
Smoking. Nicotine destroys hyaluronic acid, which retains fluid in the body.- Genetics. Heredity also affects fluid balance in the body.
- Age. The skin’s water content and ability to retain it decreases, leading to dry skin, which in turn causes skin ageing and the formation of wrinkles.
The skin becomes dry gradually and imperceptibly. In the early stages of dehydration, the picture is not so straightforward. For example, in youth, dry skin of the face looks much more attractive than oily, since it is delicate, velvety, and the pores on it are invisible. Nevertheless, in order to prevent negative age-related changes, you need to take care of your skin from a young age.
In most people, after the age of 30, wrinkles become noticeable, as the production of sebum decreases, the protective film is disrupted and the skin begins to suffer from dryness. Many creams contain oils, but not enough to moisturize. Pure oils are lipophilic, meaning they pass through the skin’s lipid layer faster, prevent moisture loss, and plump the skin. If applied to the face before moisturizing or anti-ageing cream, the effect will be more pronounced and the active ingredients will penetrate deeper.
Dry skin and oils are literally made for each other.
What are natural oils good for?
- They have ingredients similar to the composition of sebum, thanks to which they are perfectly absorbed by the skin, and help beneficial substances to penetrate into the deep layers of the epidermis.
- They contain a large amount of polyunsaturated fatty acids omega-3, omega-6, and omega-9, which are powerful antioxidants, and intensively nourish the skin and smooth it.
- They contain a unique complex of vitamins A, E, B1, B9, B12, C, PP and minerals (potassium, sodium, zinc, selenium, iron, calcium), which are very beneficial for the skin and the body as a whole.
Each of these ingredients is of value to the cosmetics industry. But in oils, nature has combined them into one whole. The most valuable are natural cold-pressed oils. All useful substances are stored in them. Further processing deprives the oils of most of their beneficial properties.
What oils will help with dry skin?
We present to you the seven most useful oils for dry skin.
Jojoba oil
This is a liquid wax, similar in composition to sebum, allowing it to penetrate into the deep layers of the epidermis, leaving no grease on the skin. It is quickly absorbed, improves skin regeneration, improves skin elasticity and firmness. By itself, it does not moisturize the skin but creates an invisible breathable film on it, which helps to retain its own moisture, and the skin acquires a well-groomed and youthful appearance. For skin diseases such as psoriasis and eczema, it reduces flaking, itching, relieves dry skin.
Argan oil
Rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids omega-6 and omega-9, vitamins A and E. Deeply nourishes and moisturizes the skin. It is very effective in the appearance of negative age-related changes (the appearance of wrinkles, loss of turgor and age-related pigmentation). Also helps in the treatment of psoriasis and eczema.
Carrot seed oil
Perfectly takes care of dry and sensitive skin. It has nourishing, protective, regenerative and antioxidant properties. It is loaded with beta-carotene (provitamin A) and is known for its beneficial effects on the skin. Whether used pure or added to a cream daily, it produces wonderful results, leaving skin smooth, radiant, healthy looking and beautifully tinted. It can be used in any season: in cold weather, it will heal chapped and cracked skin, and in hot weather, it will contribute to a beautiful tan.
Coconut oil
It contains a large amount of lauric acid, which has a powerful antibacterial effect. The presence of oleic acid helps to retain moisture in the skin and restore the barrier functions of the epidermis. This oil promotes deeper penetration of nutrients into the skin structure, helps to retain moisture and strengthens local immunity. Coconut oil is great for dry, sensitive, flaky skin. It perfectly softens and moisturizes the skin.
Wheat germ oil
The benefits of this unique oil are due to its rich composition. Wheat grains have many useful substances, but during germination they become more active and valuable. The oil contains vitamins A, E, PP, polyunsaturated fatty acids, lecithin, proteins and much more. It is beneficial for the skin in that it has an anti-inflammatory effect, improves complexion, improves skin firmness and elasticity, improves blood circulation and oxygen supply to cells, increases collagen production and moisturizes the skin. It is unique in that it is suitable for any type of skin: it moisturizes and nourishes dry skin, whilst for oily skin it will give a matte finish and normalize the functioning of the sebaceous glands.
Shea butter
Provides intense hydration due to the presence of oleic acid in it. Helps nourish the skin, increase its elasticity. Stimulates the synthesis of hyaluronic acid, smooths expression lines. Thanks to the presence of vitamins A, E and F, it helps to rejuvenate and maintain the health of the epidermis, protects cells from adverse environmental conditions and free radicals, smooths rough and dry skin, moisturizes it and accelerates regeneration.
Almond oil
Nourishes and moisturizes the skin extremely well, is easily absorbed. It removes inflammation, soothes, helps to tighten pores and gets rid of flaking. Almond oil is suitable for any type of skin, but it will bring great benefits to excessively dry, chapped skin of the lips, hands and feet. It also protects against adverse environmental influences. It is useful to apply it before leaving the house to protect against frost and wind and ultraviolet radiation.
Oils can be mixed with each other – so you yourself will understand which composition is ideal for you and for solving your problems.
Do not forget that all oils should be applied only to cleansed skin.
Nothing beats the benefits of natural oils for your skin! We hope that with our help you will choose the one that suits you best.
