How To Banish Dry Skin
One of the most common skin concerns is complaints about skin feeling dry. Either just a tight feeling or to the point of breakouts, red, itchy and scaly. Your typical causes that can add to dry skin like climate, age, not drinking enough water, over-washing and medications will often exacerbate it. Dry skin is not the only casualty of moisture imbalance. What about if you’re oily? Oily skin occurs when sebaceous glands are prompted to produce more sebum than normal. Yes, the opposite in appearance but these problems often arise from many of the same core causes. Most, oily conditions are really issues of dehydration.
Malnutrition and being underweight is another issue that can cause dryness and symptoms will show on the face usually encompass seborrhea, dermatitis, excessive dryness and rashes. Ultimately, nutrition, proper circulation and lymph flow and corrective products is key to total beauty and wellness. From poor dietary and lifestyle choices to hormonal and UV overexposure, skin conditions arise in different people for different reasons. There’s a few things your skin is probably missing that’s causing your skin woes. Before we get to the Do’s & Dont’s a little lesson on how our skin functions and what it’s comprised of and then you’ll understand what you need to replenish.
The body is the ultimate frontier of complexity consisting of many subsystems that help to keep it functioning properly. The skin being an organ is constantly changing and regenerating. There are so many moving parts of the integumentary system which work with other systems in your body to maintain and support the conditions that your cells, tissues, and organs need to function properly. The skin is one of the first defense mechanisms in your immune system. An improper skin regimen and deficiencies will manifest symptoms.
It’s also important to understand what hydration and moisturizing mean in skincare. At times, skincare brands and aestheticians are incorrectly using the two words interchangeably and it can become confusing.
HYDRATION in skincare means applying water or water-binding ingredients to your skin, such as hyaluronic acid or glycerin.
MOISTURIZATION means lubricating the skin with emollients, thereby reducing dryness and transepidermal water loss (TWL)
A popular trend “moisture sandwiching” is not so new. It’s what most professional and experienced aestheticians guide our clients to do. It’s also a main principle among other benefits in my Japanese product line—Faith Cosmetics.
It’s applying treatment and moisturizers immediately after cleansing without drying/patting the skin dry. While it is still damp you begin application of product so the skin is more receptive. The flow of each product supports an enhanced result that locks in moisture and “sandwiches” and has cummulative benefits with each layered formulation.
SKIN 101:
In order to properly treat dry skin you have to understand the skin layers and lipid barrier. It consists of three layers with different structures. Each layer has its main functions but when it comes to hydration and preventing water loss we have to focus on lipids found between keratinocytes (epidermal cells) in the stratum corneum (outermost layer of the epidermis, consisting of dead cells) and what fills the spaces between the cells. Our job is to keep this in tact so it’s able to fulfill its job of proper barrier function. Keeping foreign matter out and moisture in by keeping the hydrophilic layer moist. This is what we call Natural Moisture Factor (NMF)
What’s found in between these spaces? PhosphoLipids, fatty acids, ceramides, hyaluronic, cholesterol and other substances. When this lamellar layer of the skin is disrupted it allows increased moisture evaporation. You are left with dry, dull, dehydrated or irritated aging skin. The goal therefore, should not be to replace the skin’s natural hydration process, but to regain balance and feed it what it needs.
LYMPH FLOW - the first step to begin the process of increasing hydration and blood flow. When the blood flow increases, it automatically boosts skin oxygenation and nutrient delivery. It greatly increases lymphatic circulation and drainage. Which is very important for healthy functioning skin. It assists in moving any toxic build up and stagnation out of the skin and body. It will lubricate and cleanse the environment to be able to receive and absorb nutrients. A few examples in this order: breathing through your nose (think 5 min. breath meditation) tapping on the face and body. jumping jacks. drink water with apple cider vinegar to flush the lymph. dry brushing. massaging the face and facial gua sha ,alternating hot/cold showers.
HEALTHY FATS- taking an essential fatty acid daily and having a diet high in healthy fats will supply you skin and body with nutrients to keep it hydrated and plumper by lubricating it. They also help you better absorb vitamins and antioxidants. Essential fatty acids also help with hormonal breakouts and curbs cravings for sugar and junk food.
IRON -Iron is important for energy, the dark circles underneath your eyes and to allow oxygen to enter your blood. You need it for overall health and to have a stronger body and beautiful radiant skin. This mineral plays a vital role in your immune system and metabolizing essential B vitamins. Without adequate iron, you have tired blood which can make you more susceptible to colds and other infections and make you look dull and dehydrated.
MAGNESIUM -It’s a mineral miracle with so many health benefits. Magnesium is a crucial mineral for clear, blemish-free skin. It’s also great for fatigue and stress. Will help you eliminate and sleep better.
FIBER- Fiber aids your body in eliminating toxins and waste. Toxins and waste contribute to inflammation, which can cause acne and clogged pores. When you don’t digest food effectively, your body has a hard time absorbing the nutrients from the food. This can lead to constipation and an unhealthy gut where there aren’t enough fiber to feed the good bacteria, which leads to a significant increase in the growth of bad bacteria.
PRODUCTS - Using too much retinol or multiple exfoliating active ingredients and products with surfactants or emulsifiers that only sit on the surface can make you look and feel dry. They also don’t do anything to repair the skins lamellar structure and help prevent water loss. A skincare “program” should be focused on correcting the problem at hand. A moisturizer is only useful if it effectively targets the source of a condition. If you’re constantly applying and reapplying moisture, you’re only covering up the condition, not working toward a correction. Beware of steroidal medications too that can dry out the mucus membranes and dehydrate and sensitize the skin while compromising the skin’s protective barrier.
SELF-DIAGNOSIS- Don’t allude to the trial-and-error approach. This is often at the expense of more time, money and playing with your skin health. A professional facial or virtual consultation will help guide you and know the steps needed to be taken on a case by case basis to improve the over health of your skin. BOOK NOW
Remember hydrated skin looks brighter and younger! Try this 10 minute mini-facial before you jump on a plane or go to an event! For a longer version check this DIY at- home facial.
STEP 1
WARM/HOT TOWEL compress on the face. Pushing and pressing into and under the jaw and cheeks to warm up the tissue. Cleanse with GENTLE CLEANSE. Apply to the skin dry. Add a drop of water for slip. Massage the face for at least 30-60 seconds. Leave cleanser on and continue to step 2.
STEP 2
Use the facial GUASHA beauty tool. Glide over face with gently strokes. After movements are done. Rinse the face.
STEP 3
On clean skin apply PURE ENZYMES. Leave on for 5-10 minutes.If sensitive or first time using leave on only 2 minutes. Rinse off. If you have extra time apply either the CALM MOIST PACK or BRIGHT PACK MASK. Leave on 15-20 minutes.
STEP 4
APPLY THE FREEZE-DRIED COLLAGEN PRE-CARE ESSENCE
STEP 5
APPLY OPTI-CRYSTAL or ReCharge around the eye area. PRESS until it disappears into the skin.
STEP 6
Finish with HYDRATING TONIC followed by the NOURISHING GEL to seal all that goodness and moisture in.
STEP 7-
Apply CAVIPPLA, let it bubble up and massage into the skin. Spray the STEM CELL MIST use a BEAUTY ROLLER to increase penetration and cool the skin.