Dry skin – 5 natural ingredients for immediate relief

Pulling sensation, irritation, itching, peeling, fine lines: if you have dry, dehydrated skin, you are surely faced with these symptoms every day that cause discomfort and make your daily life difficult.

What can bring the skin to this state of dryness and dehydration?

Indoor heating that reduces humidity levels, the cold, harsh skin cleaning products that, together with pollutants, also carry away the natural oils necessary for its elasticity, certain medicinal treatments, skin diseases such as atopic dermatitis or psoriasis, the passage of time where the skin gradually becomes thinner and produces less sebum, and anything that disrupts the integrity of the epidermal barrier, as a result of which it cannot retain valuable moisture inside the skin and also leaves it exposed to the external enemies that lie in wait for the right opportunity to invade and cause inflammation.

How will you relieve dry skin?

Proper, soothing care for dry skin starts with cleansing: choose a mild, creamy product specially designed for dry skin, make sure to reduce the time you spend in the shower, and avoid hot water as much as possible. Follow up, while your skin is still fresh, with a soothing, deeply hydrating emulsion that helps repair and strengthen the skin barrier, hydrates, and instantly soothes.

Of the natural ingredients that dry skin loves, the following five are experts' top favorites for their proven effectiveness – look for them in the formulas you choose for skin care:

Oat extract

Oat extract, and especially oat colloid, is the natural reference ingredient when it comes to dry, sensitive skin. Oats are known for their anti-inflammatory effects, as they contain antioxidants, lipids, and avenanthramides, a group of phytochemicals that contribute significantly to fighting inflammation in the body.

Oat colloid has been proven to support the integrity of the epidermal barrier, protect against oxidative stress, and act as a softening agent, while oat oil is equally soothing for dry skin, which is rich in lipids and antioxidants and, in addition, supports the natural production of ceramides.

Aloe Vera

Aloe vera needs no introduction, as it is the most famous natural ingredient for its moisturizing properties it not only has a high concentration of water but also acts as a hygroscopic substance, i.e. it attracts moisture both from the dermis of the skin and from the external environment. When applied topically, aloe vera is proven to increase hydration levels while also being particularly soothing – it is no coincidence that it is used to treat sunburn.

Precisely because of its natural moisturizing and soothing effect, aloe vera helps to deal with irritation and inflammation on the skin, and supports the natural healing mechanism while more and more research shows that it can also be beneficial in treating eczema.

Shea butter

This vegetable butter is synonymous with nutrition in skincare and one of the most popular ingredients in dry skin care formulas. Its moisturizing and emollient properties are due to the high content of good fats it contains mainly linoleic and oleic acid, which contribute to the repair and strengthening of the epidermal barrier.

Also, shea butter has a soothing and anti-inflammatory effect mainly due to its ability to strengthen the epidermal barrier and the high percentage of antioxidant Vitamin E, which neutralizes free radicals that cause oxidative stress.

Coenzyme Q10

Coenzyme Q10 is a powerful water-soluble antioxidant that is produced naturally in our body and plays a key role in energy production. Coenzyme Q10 has a strong antioxidant effect and even protects against lipid peroxidation, a process in which free radicals cause serious damage to the cell membrane, which can even lead to cell death.

In addition, studies have shown that it protects the mitochondrial membranes while it is also considered an ally in antiaging, as it slows down both endogenous and exogenous aging.

Squalene

Squalene is a lipid naturally produced by the sebaceous glands, it plays a key role in protecting the epidermal barrier and preventing transdermal water loss. As with collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid, the amount of squalene in our body decreases over time, which affects the elasticity and softness of the skin.

Until recently, squalene came from shark liver, but now cosmetology has turned to an ethical and environmentally responsible source of origin from plant ingredients such as olive oil, sugarcane, rice bran, etc., the well-known squalene.