April 22, 2024
©L’ORIENT OFFICIAL / FILED UNDER: skincare 101
Luckily, you've got a built-in barrier to hold in water. The outermost layer of your skin, called the stratum corneum, is made of dead skin cells called corneocytes, stacked like bricks. Fats called lipids act like mortar. This cellular "brick wall" helps to keep the moisture locked inside your cells. The trouble is that the moisture-locking system doesn't always work as well as it should.
"Some people's lipid barrier is more prone to drying out," says Michael Cameron, MD, assistant professor of dermatology at the Mount Sinai Icahn School of Medicine. “When it does dry out, you can end up with scaly or flaky skin.” Skin can get dehydrated if the cells underneath the barrier lose too much water. "When the water content inside the cells decreases, the cells become shriveled," he says. As a result, "The skin may look dull, lose its luster, and fine wrinkles can be more noticeable." Dryness doesn't only affect your skin's appearance. It also can leave it itchy and cracked, which makes it uncomfortable to live with.
WHY DOES SKIN LOSE HYDRATION?
A loss of the lipids that normally seal in moisture can lead to dry skin. Atopic dermatitis, also called eczema, is a common condition where the skin barrier is more prone to losing its integrity. Sometimes the things you do — or don't do — deplete your skin's water content, including:
These problems are easy enough to fix. For example, you might drink a few extra glasses of water each day, keep your showers short and lukewarm, or minimize the use of soap, which strips the natural oils away from your skin. If your skin still looks dry and flaky, apply a moisturizer or hydrating mask. Before you buy any skin care products, though, know your skin type: oily or dry. "You want to avoid products that can clog your pores," Cameron says. "That can lead to acne, and the products we then have to use to treat it can sometimes dry you out even more."
"Some people's lipid barrier is more prone to drying out," says Michael Cameron, MD, assistant professor of dermatology at the Mount Sinai Icahn School of Medicine. “When it does dry out, you can end up with scaly or flaky skin.” Skin can get dehydrated if the cells underneath the barrier lose too much water. "When the water content inside the cells decreases, the cells become shriveled," he says. As a result, "The skin may look dull, lose its luster, and fine wrinkles can be more noticeable." Dryness doesn't only affect your skin's appearance. It also can leave it itchy and cracked, which makes it uncomfortable to live with.
WHY DOES SKIN LOSE HYDRATION?
A loss of the lipids that normally seal in moisture can lead to dry skin. Atopic dermatitis, also called eczema, is a common condition where the skin barrier is more prone to losing its integrity. Sometimes the things you do — or don't do — deplete your skin's water content, including:
- Spending time in the cold or heat
- Using harsh soaps, detergents, and chemicals
- Using rough sponges, washcloths, or exfoliating products
- Taking long, hot showers or baths
- Not drinking enough water
These problems are easy enough to fix. For example, you might drink a few extra glasses of water each day, keep your showers short and lukewarm, or minimize the use of soap, which strips the natural oils away from your skin. If your skin still looks dry and flaky, apply a moisturizer or hydrating mask. Before you buy any skin care products, though, know your skin type: oily or dry. "You want to avoid products that can clog your pores," Cameron says. "That can lead to acne, and the products we then have to use to treat it can sometimes dry you out even more."
