Dry skin affects nearly one in three women, often feeling neglected due to a lack of understanding about its true nature. If you're looking in the mirror asking, "I have dry skin—what should I do?" Veld's skincare experts share everything you need to nurture this delicate skin type effectively.
Dry skin, or alipidic skin, results from a lack of lipids—essential fats. These lipids are typically transported to the skin's surface by sebum, an oily substance that acts as a protective barrier against dehydration. When sebum production is insufficient, it fails to lock in moisture, causing the skin's water reserves to deplete rapidly, much like snow melting in the sun.
Dehydration and dryness are closely linked. Dry skin lacks lipids, leading to water loss, but it's a permanent skin type. Dehydration, however, is a temporary state that can affect any skin type and is easier to reverse. True dry skin requires ongoing care.
Dry skin has distinct advantages: it's sublime in texture, with a tight grain, invisible pores, and a fine quality that sometimes reveals visible veins. Breakouts are rare. Yet, it brings significant discomfort: roughness, itching, dullness, and early, pronounced wrinkles.
Hormones are key to skin health. During menopause, plummeting estrogen and progesterone levels reduce sebaceous gland activity, leading to less sebum and drier skin. At this stage, it's often called senescent skin.
Dry skin can be hereditary—a congenital condition resembling mild ichthyosis, with extreme dryness, persistent dead skin, and a scaly appearance. Though very rare, no definitive medical treatment exists yet.
The skin's hydrolipidic film is delicate and can be disrupted by harsh external factors like extreme weather or aggressive cleansers. This leads to temporary dryness, not inherent dry skin. Choosing gentle products is crucial.
Since dry skin produces insufficient natural oils, supplement them externally. Start with gentle cleansing—avoid foaming surfactants and opt for cleansing oil. Follow morning and evening with Age 2O deep hydration cream to minimize water loss.
Nourish from within by prioritizing omega-3 fatty acids to combat dryness and itching. Sources include linseed and rapeseed oils, fatty fish like mackerel and salmon, and eggs.
Dry skin worsens with hard water, cold, low humidity, or endocrine disruptors. Climatic factors can cause plaques, so protect with film-forming formulas like Age Commando Anti-Wrinkle Balm in winter.
Dry skin's fineness leads to premature wrinkles, especially around the eyes—the most vulnerable area. Apply a targeted moisturizer twice daily to smooth and boost elastin and collagen. Veld's recommends the Eye Magic Anti-Wrinkle Brush.
Dry skin holds makeup beautifully—opt for fluid or cream textures and skip drying powders or minerals. Always apply SPF to protect fragile collagen and elastin from UV rays. Try Flash Protect luminous fluid year-round.
