Nourishing products are a great option for dry skin, which is caused by a lack of oil (as opposed to dehydrated skin, which lacks water). Sometimes dryness is genetic; sometimes it’s triggered by environmental factors; and sometimes sebum production simply declines naturally as we age.
To counteract dryness, avoid harsh soaps and detergents, introduce new moisture sources, and prevent any further moisture loss with nourishing skincare formulations such as balms, oils, face masks and serums. Look out for products that contain rich emollients – such as plant butters, glycerin and fatty acids – and ceramides. Ceramides are lipids (oils) that occur naturally in the skin, which help to retain moisture and regulate cells.
Levels decline as we age, but ‘skin identical’ ceramide skincare, usually in the form of serums, cleansers, moisturisers and masks, can be a great substitute, increasing vital moisturisation and maintaining the protective skin barrier.