We sat down with Millie of Rooted Within Skin and Wellness to hear her wisdom about caring for dry skin. Read on to learn all about causes, symptoms, and natural treatments for dry skin!

In this article:

• Skin Concerns Linked to Dry Skin
• Difference Between Dry and Dehydrated Skin
• Environmental Conditions that Worsen Dry Skin
• Habits that Worsen Dry Skin
• The Most Effective Treatment Method
• How Soon Can You See Results?
• A Simple Routine to Reverse Dry Skin

Q: HI MILLIE! WE ARE SO EXCITED TO SPEAK WITH YOU ABOUT DRY SKIN AND HEAR YOUR PROFESSIONAL APPROACH TO THIS ISSUE. TO START WITH, CAN YOU TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE AS AN ESTHETICIAN AND THE APPROACH THAT YOU TAKE TO SKINCARE? 

A: Hi! I'm thrilled to be here and appreciate the opportunity! 

I’ve been working as a solo esthetician for the past two years, specializing in healing the skin using holistic modalities, while also incorporating nourishing products. One of my primary goals is to reduce inflammation and deeply hydrate the skin. Many skin concerns are rooted in inflammation, so I focus on addressing that while also providing optimal hydration.

Q: WHAT SKIN CONCERNS CAN BE INFLUENCED BY DRY SKIN?

A: Dry skin can lead to several skin concerns, including:

1. Flakiness: Dry skin often leads to visible peeling or rough patches, as the skin lacks sufficient moisture to remain smooth.

2. Tightness: A common feeling with dry skin is tightness, especially after cleansing, as the skin feels stretched due to the lack of hydration.

3. Redness and Irritation: Dry skin can become more sensitive, leading to redness, irritation, and even inflammation, particularly when exposed to harsh weather or skincare products.

4. Dullness: When your skin lacks moisture, it can appear lackluster or dull due to the absence of natural oils that give it a healthy glow.

5. Fine Lines and Wrinkles: Dry skin is more prone to fine lines, especially around areas where the skin is thinner, like under the eyes. The skin can appear less plump, accentuating these lines.

6. Cracked Skin: In severe cases, dry skin can crack, leading to discomfort or potential for infection if the cracks are deep enough.

7. Increased Sensitivity: Dry skin can be more reactive to external factors like temperature changes, allergens, or skincare products, causing irritation or a stinging sensation.

8. Breakouts: Ironically, dry skin can also lead to clogged pores and breakouts. This happens because the skin overcompensates for lack of moisture by producing excess oil, which can trap dirt and lead to acne.

9. Tough or Rough Texture: Without enough moisture, skin may feel rough or uneven to the touch due to dead skin cells accumulating on the surface.

Q: DRY SKIN AND DEHYDRATED SKIN ARE TWO SEPARATE CONCERNS, ALTHOUGH THEIR SYMPTOMS CAN OVERLAP. HOW WOULD YOU TELL THE DIFFERENCE IN A CLIENT? 

A: Dry skin is a skin type rather than a temporary condition. It typically results from a long-term deficiency of lipids in your skin barrier. These natural oils play a crucial role in preventing water from evaporating off your skin’s surface. When there aren’t enough lipids, moisture escapes, leaving your skin feeling flaky, red, dull, and irritated. I often see chronic dry skin that is not being treated lead to inflammatory skin rashes like dermatitis and even eczema. 

Dehydrated skin tends to show up on the skin as fine lines, under eye circles, products absorbing too quickly, dullness, and even clogged pores and blackheads. Dehydrated skin can often be addressed fairly quickly with a few hydrating facials and a nourishing skincare routine. Both dry and dehydrated skin can contribute to the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, but dehydration is more likely to be the main cause of fine lines rather than your skin type.

Q: DO YOU FIND THAT DRY SKIN IS MORE PREVALENT AT A CERTAIN TIME OF YEAR, OR IN CERTAIN ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS? 

A: Yes, dry skin is often more prevalent during certain times of the year and in specific environmental conditions. 

During the colder months, the air tends to be drier, and lower humidity levels can strip moisture from the skin, leading to dryness. Cold temperatures can also cause the skin to lose its natural oils, exacerbating dry skin. Winter winds can also cause the skin to become dry, chapped, or irritated, especially on exposed areas like the face.

Spending more time in the sun during warmer months can cause sunburn or skin damage, leading to dryness. UV rays can break down the skin's barrier, making it harder for your skin to retain moisture. Chlorine from pools or saltwater from the ocean can dry out your skin, especially if you’re frequently in the water.

It is essential to adjust your skincare routine to address these seasonal changes to ensure you are providing the necessary nutrients. 

Q: ARE THERE ANY HABITS THAT CAN CAUSE OR WORSEN DRY SKIN, OUTSIDE OF GENETICS? 

A: Yes, there are several habits and lifestyle factors that can contribute to or worsen dry skin, aside from genetic predisposition. 

Hot Showers or Baths: Taking long, hot showers or baths can strip the skin of its natural oils which breaks down the protective barrier, making it more vulnerable to dehydration, moisture loss, and dryness.

Over Exfoliation: Exfoliating too frequently or using abrasive scrubs can remove the top layer of dead skin cells. Over-exfoliation can damage the skin’s barrier, leading to moisture loss and making the skin feel rough and irritated.

Smoking: Smoking reduces blood flow to the skin, depriving it of oxygen and essential nutrients. It also damages collagen and elastin, which are vital for keeping the skin firm, hydrated, and supple, leading to premature dryness and aging.

Poor Diet: A diet lacking essential fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals can impair your skin's ability to retain moisture. Essential fatty acids (like omega-3s) and vitamins (like Vitamin E) are crucial for maintaining a healthy skin barrier. A poor diet may lead to dry, dull skin.

Not Protecting Your Skin from the Sun: Overexposure to the sun without protection can damage the skin and lead to moisture loss. UV rays break down the skin’s barrier and accelerate water evaporation, making the skin dry, tight, and prone to irritation. Although the sun is essential and healing there are still things we need to do to protect our delicate skin. 

Stress: Chronic stress can affect your overall health, including your skin. Stress can trigger inflammatory responses in the body that may make the skin more prone to dryness, irritation, and flare-ups of dermatitis, eczema, or psoriasis.

Using Too Many Active Ingredients: Overusing strong active ingredients like retinoids, Vitamin C, or acid exfoliants (AHAs/BHAs) can compromise the skin's barrier. While these ingredients can be great for targeting specific skin concerns, they can also dry out the skin if overused or combined incorrectly with other harsh ingredients.

Sleeping in Makeup: Failing to properly cleanse and remove makeup can leave residue on the skin. Makeup buildup can clog pores, prevent proper moisture absorption, and irritate the skin, leading to increased dryness and sensitivity.

Q: WHAT SKINCARE PRACTICE IS MOST EFFECTIVE TO REVERSE DRY SKIN IN A NEW CLIENT?

A: The oil and water method!!! 

1. Cleanse your skin to remove any dirt or impurities.

2. Apply water-based products (like Neroli Clarifying Complexion Mist or Rose Essential Hydration Mist) to hydrate the skin.

3. Seal with oil (like Sea Berry Balancing Facial Oil or Vitamin C Regenerative Balm) to lock in the hydration and protect the skin barrier.

Water-based products typically contain ingredients like water, humectants (such as glycerin or hyaluronic acid), and antioxidants that help draw moisture into the skin. Water-based products focus on hydrating the skin by attracting and holding water molecules to the skin’s surface. These are ideal for dehydrated and dry skin, as they help replenish moisture and improve skin hydration.

Oil-based products contain oils (like jojoba, argan, or rosehip oil) that provide moisture, lock in hydration, and create a barrier to prevent water from evaporating from the skin. Oils are rich in lipids, which mimic the skin’s natural oils and help to maintain a healthy skin barrier.

These are especially beneficial for dry skin because they help to replenish and seal in the skin’s moisture, making it feel smoother and more nourished.

Q: FOR SOMEONE TRYING TO RESTORE DRY SKIN, HOW SOON CAN THEY EXPECT TO SEE RESULTS FROM A SOLID SKINCARE REGIMEN? 

A: For someone trying to restore dry skin with a solid skincare regimen, the timeline for seeing visible results can vary depending on several factors, such as the severity of dryness, skin type, and the consistency of the routine. 

Immediately after just one or two days of consistently applying hydrating products, you may notice an immediate improvement in skin texture, plumpness, and moisture levels. Your skin may feel softer and more comfortable, with reduced tightness.

In 1-2 weeks with regular use of moisturizers and hydrating products, flaky patches and rough texture should begin to improve. The skin's overall texture should feel smoother as it regains moisture, and any dry patches may start to disappear. Skin that was previously irritated may begin to feel calmer and less inflamed.

In 4-6 weeks you may notice that your skin's elasticity improves, making it appear firmer and more supple. Dryness and tightness should become less frequent or less intense as your skin builds a more resilient barrier. Dehydration lines might become less noticeable over time as skin hydration is restored, and the skin barrier strengthens.

Q: LASTLY, CAN YOU RECOMMEND A SIMPLE ROUTINE FOR DRY SKIN CLIENTS WHO WANT TO SEE RESULTS?

A: Here's a simple and effective skincare routine for dry skin clients. The key focus will be on hydrating, nourishing, and maintaining a healthy skin barrier.

1. Apply 2-3 pumps of Vetiver Oil Cleanser onto dry skin and massage into the skin for about 2 minutes. I then like to add a little bit of water to my hands and then I continue to massage the cleanser into the skin for another minute. The cleanser will become creamy and this will help to deeply hydrate the skin. I then remove the cleansing oil with a warm wet cloth.

2. Mist the face with Neroli Clarifying Complexion Mist. 

3. Apply 3-4 drops of Sea Berry Balancing Facial Oil onto the palms, mix, and apply.

4. Add a tiny bit of Vitamin C Balm under and around the eyes to protect and hydrate the delicate area. 

This is one of my go to skincare routines when my skin is needing extra hydration and brightening! 

 

Millie, thank you so much for sharing your insights into this topic! I think that’s all the time that we have for today. We really appreciate being able to share this wisdom with our Apoterra community! 

If you have more questions for Millie or the Apoterra team, please feel free to leave a comment below or email us at info@apoterra.com.