Moisturizes and repairs the skin barrier
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| illustration of dry skin (freepik.com/Freepik) |
Your current dry skin condition can be caused by several factors, including genetically inherited skin type or decreased skin moisture. To treat dry skin, it is important that you pay attention to both factors.
The first step most of us choose is to look for skincare products that can solve this problem. Before buying products to treat your dry skin, it is important to know some skincare ingredients that are known to be effective in hydrating dry skin. The following are skincare ingredients that are generally capable of providing moisture to the skin. Let’s take a look!
1. Hyaluronic Acid
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| illustration of Hyaluronic Acid (freepik.com/Freepik) |
What is the best active ingredient for dry skin? The answer, of course, is hyaluronic acid. Its hydrating power has earned it the nickname “the fountain of youth”. It’s called the “fountain of youth” because every connective tissue in our body contains hyaluronic acid.
However, as we age, exposure to UV radiation, exposure to pollution, and unhealthy lifestyles make the production of this acid decrease so that the skin becomes dry and shows signs of aging. Fortunately, nowadays hyaluronic acid contained in various skincare products is said to be quite helpful in treating dry skin conditions.
This acid works by attracting and binding to water molecules, increasing the water content of the skin. This explains why hyaluronic acid should be used when your skin is still moisturized after your face wash routine, not when it’s dry which can irritate and dry out your skin even further.
2. Panthenol
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| Illustration of using facial moisturizer (freepik.com/racool-studio) |
Although panthenol is less popular than vitamin B5, there are many skincare and haircare products that use this active ingredient as a moisturizing agent. However, recently there have been many products with panthenol or vitamin B5 as the main active ingredient.
The moisturizing properties of panthenol can address various skin conditions, such as dry skin, sensitive skin, and various types of dermatitis. By enhancing lipid synthesis and epidermal differentiation, this active ingredient is able to increase and lock in skin moisture. Ultimately, this allows the skin barrier to return to a healthy state, leaving the skin moisturized, less prone to redness, and less prone to itching and irritation.
3. Oatmeal
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| illustration of oat face cream (freepik.com/artphotostudio) |
Most active skincare users in Indonesia would rarely find oatmeal-based skincare. Even though compared to various active ingredients out there, oatmeal is a natural ingredient that is no less powerful to relieve dryness on the skin.
Especially if your dry skin condition is already in the stage of easy redness, itching, texture, and scaly. The polysaccharides contained in oatmeal cream will form a protective layer on the surface of the skin. This helps the skin to retain its natural moisture and prevent excessive water loss.
In addition, the anti-inflammatory properties of oatmeal can also help relieve redness, irritation and inflammation in dry skin. So it is great for those of you who experience skin conditions with eczema or dermatitis.
4. Ceramide
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| Illustration of using facial moisturizer (freepik.com/artphotostudio) |
Similar to hyaluronic acid, ceramide is also naturally produced in the body, including our skin. If you think about it, ceramide functions like a mortar or cement mixture to glue bricks together to form a wall or barrier. This barrier is now known as the skin barrier.
A healthy skin barrier protects the skin from irritants and bacteria. However, if damaged, it can cause your skin to become drier, resulting in itching, redness and irritation. Therefore, you may need the help of ceramides contained in skincare products to boost your skin’s ceramide levels again.
5. Gotu kola (Centella asiatica)
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| illustration of pouring toner on cotton (freepik.com/kamranaydinov) |
Centella asiatica, also known as gotu kola, is another popular natural ingredient in dry skin care. Gotu kola has strong anti-inflammatory properties that can help relieve inflammation in dry skin and reduce any redness, irritation, and swelling that may occur.
Active components such as triterpenoids that have moisturizing properties in gotu kola enhance the skin’s ability to retain moisture and prevent excessive water loss. In addition to anti-inflammatory properties, this herbal ingredient also has regenerative properties that stimulate the growth of new skin cells and accelerate skin recovery, helping to repair and heal dry skin.
Proper care and a change in skincare routine can help keep skin moisturized and address dry skin conditions. In addition, by using these skincare ingredients along with a healthy lifestyle, it is guaranteed that your dry skin will not be cranky anymore. What are you waiting for, choose one of these skincare ingredients as your skincare routine.