Whether you've struggled with dry skin from a young age or are experiencing it for the first time, the causes of dry skin vary. Dry skin can be hereditary, environmentally influenced, or manifest as a result of low-quality skin products. Whatever the cause, there are plenty of ways to support dry skin and help replenish it through adequate hydration.
So what hydrates skin? Unlike moisturizers that utilize lipids to seal moisture and skincare products into skin, hydration products deliver water to the cells directly with ingredients like Hyaluronic Acid and AHAs.
When shopping for hydrating skin products, it's important to source those with quality ingredients. Quality ingredients hydrate your skin barrier without leaving it slick and oily. Knowing which ingredients to look for and those to avoid is the key to keeping your skin looking and feeling its best. Below, our Kate Somerville Skin Health Experts reveal the best ingredients for dry skin.
Skin-Soothing Ingredients
Having dry skin can be frustrating. But the good news is that there are several different ways to boost your skin's barrier and get it back to a hydrated and supple feel. Ingredients like goat milk, lactic acid, and aloe vera are just a few of the hydrating ingredients for dry skin that help protect it from environmental stressors.
However, not everything that is listed as natural is healthy for your dry skin type. Before purchasing a moisturizer for dry skin, it's essential to know if your skin is sensitive to particular ingredients. For example, many essential oil products are considered natural, yet can cause an allergic reaction when applied to the skin. When searching for skin-soothing ingredients, we recommend steering clear of fragranced products.
Instead, try out products that include the following ingredients for dry skin:
1. Goat Milk
Goat milk can work wonders for dry skin. High-quality goat milk products contain specific fats that work to nourish skin without irritating it. These fats are necessary for your skin's health and work to lock in moisture while protecting your skin barrier from harmful environmental annoyances. Additionally, goat milk also contains Vitamin A and Lactic Acid benefits, both ofwhich work wonders for relieving dry skin irritated skin on the face.
Many products on the market contain this moisture-boosting ingredient. Kate Somerville's Goat Milk Moisturizing Cream is a staple for parched skin. This cream is mildly exfoliating and deeply moisturizing. Using it daily will help improve damaged skin and produce a glowing complexion. Safe for sensitive skin, it's a low-allergy facial moisturizer your skin will love.
2. Lactic Acid
Lactic Acid is a natural active ingredient that works to soothe dry skin. It acts as a gentle exfoliator that helps improve the skin’s natural moisture factor. When skin’s moisture barrier is intact, hydration is locked in, minimizing transepidermal water loss. This not only revitalizes the look of skin dullness and dryness, but keeps skin hydrated over time.
3. Hyaluronic Acid
If you've recently noticed that your skin is looking a bit dry, it may not be that you have dry skin type. You may be suffering from skin dehydration. This happens when you aren’t adequately hydrating your skin. It can also happen from over-exfoliating skin. Either way, now’s the time to introduce Hyaluronic Acid into your skincare regimen. Hyaluronic Acid is a popular anti-aging ingredient in the beauty world. It's used to hydrate and soften skin, while also helping to minimize breakouts from clogged pores [2]. As a molecule that's naturally found in the body, Hyaluronic Acid has been deemed one of the most natural ways to boost skin hydration. Using Hyaluronic Acid regularly will help keep your skin hydrated and it may even help you look younger by plumping and smoothing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
4. Aloe Vera
If your skin is sensitive, or you get the occasional stress rash on your face, Aloe Vera can help ease and soothe skin. Aloe Vera has long been deemed a "skin savior" as its cooling and medicinal properties are often used to relieve dry, irritated skin. While there are many products on the market packed with Aloe Vera listed as an ingredient, the most effective way to use it is at home. The gel in Aloe Vera leaves is loaded with water, minerals, vitamins, and other nutrients - all essential for your skin's health. To keep your skin hydrated and happy, we recommend having an Aloe Vera plant nearby, and breaking off a leaf after a long day spent in the sun!
5. Ceramides
When it comes to skincare ingredients, ceramides are among the most used to battle dry skin. Whether you experience seasonal dry skin or suffer from dryness year-round, Ceramide-based products help replenish skin. Ceramides, the fatty acids in your skin, help maintain skin’s moisture and hydration. Using products that are enriched with ceramides will help restore your skin's hydration and lock in moisture in even the most extreme temperatures [3]. This helps your skin maintain that hydration long-term, resulting in healthy, hydrated skin.
Invest in the Right Quality Ingredients
If you're suffering from dry or dehydrated skin, our best advice is to use quality products. While all of these ingredients for dry skin work to boost your skin's hydration, it's crucial to find out what works best. If you have dry skin, then a goat milk-based skincare product might be the best option. Conversely, if you're worried about fine lines and wrinkles, investing in a hydrator like our DermalQuench collection and/or a moisturizer with Hyaluronic Acid may deliver the visible results you're seeking. Kate Somerville offers several different hydrating skincare treatments to explore that can alleviate skin dryness and replenish skin.
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