The skin is the body's first line of defense. It helps prevent harmful microorganisms such as dirt and bacteria from entering the body. There are many different skin conditions, of which dry skin is an uncomfortable condition characterized by scaling, itching and cracking that can occur due to many different factors. So what nutrients does dry skin lack? Are there any skin care measures to improve it? Let's find the answer together!
What is dry skin? Symptoms of dry skin
Normal skin has a soft, supple texture because it contains a sufficient amount of water. For skin to feel soft, supple and "normal", its top layer must contain a minimum of 10% water. The ideal ratio is from 20% to 35%. To help protect the outer layer of the skin from dehydration, the skin's sebaceous glands produce an oily substance called sebum. Sebum is a complex mixture of fatty acids, sugars and other natural chemicals that form a protective barrier against water evaporation. If the skin doesn't have enough sebum, it will become dehydrated and feel dry.
Symptoms of dry skin:
Dry skin can be temporary, but it can also be a permanent condition. Symptoms of dry skin include:
- Feeling of tight skin, especially after bathing or swimming.
- Skin feels rough.
- Itching, burning, hot.
- Scaling or peeling of the skin ranges from mild to severe.
- Wrinkles or cracks appear on the skin.
- Skin prone to redness, dermatitis.
- Deep cracks can cause bleeding and pain.
- Dry skin can crack, allowing bacteria to enter and cause infection.
Causes of dry skin
The main cause of dry skin is usually from the environment, the body or dry skin lacking something. Here are some potential and common causes of dry skin:
- Weather: Skin tends to be driest in winter, when temperatures and humidity plummet. When the weather is dry it also makes the skin susceptible to dryness.
- Take hot baths or swim regularly: Regular swimming, especially in pools with a lot of chlorine, can easily dry out your skin quickly.
- Using detergents: Many types of soaps and detergents easily remove moisture from the skin with frequent contact.
- Other skin conditions. People with skin diseases such as atopic dermatitis or psoriasis are prone to dry skin.
- Age: As you get older, your pores naturally secrete less oil, increasing the risk of dry skin.
Those who often have dry skin
Anyone can develop dry skin. But you may be more likely to develop this condition if:
- In middle age: usually 40 or older, the risk increases with age - more than 50% of older people have dry skin.
- Lives in humid, dry climates.
- Work in chemical and dry environments.
- Swim in chlorinated pools regularly.
- People with skin diseases, malnutrition.
What nutrients does dry skin lack?
Skin needs moisture to protect against harsh conditions. When the epidermis or surface layer of the skin becomes dehydrated, cracking, itching and dryness occur. The epidermis also contains proteins and lipids that work together to retain water (hydration). So not only lack of water but also lack of fat and protein also causes dry skin. Skin needs nutrients to keep skin healthy such as vitamin D, vitamin A, niacin, zinc or iron,...
How to fix dry skin
After understanding the situation dry skin often lack of what, readers can apply the following methods:
Skin care measures
- Moisturizer: Moisturizer helps retain water.
- Protects skin from harsh weather.
- Drink plenty of water.
- Use humidifiers.
- Gently pat instead of rubbing, and dry wet skin with a soft cotton towel.
- Do not use stimulants.
- Wash your face daily with a neutral, moisturizing pH cleanser.
- Exfoliation: helps the skin remove peeling and excess skin layers to help the skin absorb moisturizers better.
Supplement the missing nutrients
In addition to care measures, what substances dry skin lacks and what substances need to be supplemented also play an important role in improving dry skin. Below are some substances that should be supplemented when skin is dry:
Vitamin C for smooth skin
Vitamin C helps create collagen, the main protein found in the skin. Vitamin C's antioxidant properties stimulate cell repair and restore damage caused by ultraviolet rays.
Moisturize with vitamin E
Vitamin E is a perfect remedy for lipids in the skin, preventing dermatitis. Vitamin E even helps seal cracks caused by dry skin, effectively restoring the skin.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is the main vitamin found in the epidermis. When the skin absorbs sunlight, the skin reacts to create vitamin D that enters the body for daily activities. Vitamin D also prevents and treats dermatitis caused by dry skin.
Heal Dry Skin with Vitamin B
Vitamin B1 is full of antioxidants to increase circulation and prevent signs of aging. B2 deficiency causes dry skin and lips. B3 creates fats that the skin needs to stay healthy. B5, B6 and B9 contribute to healthy skin in different ways. Finally, B12 creates proteins that help “repair” dry skin and maintain moisture.
Through diet
In addition to taking care of your skin and supplementing nutrients from pills, supplementing nutrients from your diet is also very important. When we know what nutrients dry skin lacks, we should supplement it from the nutrients we use every day:
- Citrus fruits, tangerines, grapefruit,...: rich in vitamin C.
- Sun exposure from early morning: vitamin D supplement.
- Foods rich in vitamin B: beans, salmon, eggs, milk, beef,...
With the information about what nutrients dry skin lacks, hopefully if you belong to the dry skin team, you will know how to supplement to improve your skin and make it more radiant. Please continue to accompany Dermalogica in future articles!