{"id":124870,"date":"2019-01-10T08:00:28","date_gmt":"2019-01-10T08:00:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.schoolofnaturalskincare.com\/?p=124870"},"modified":"2024-11-12T01:38:15","modified_gmt":"2024-11-12T01:38:15","slug":"how-to-soften-and-nourish-dry-skin","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.schoolofnaturalskincare.com\/how-to-soften-and-nourish-dry-skin\/","title":{"rendered":"Why dry skin needs creams and lotions more than balms and butters: What You Need to Know to Soften and Nourish Dry Skin"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

For those of you out there who have dry skin, you know that the cold winter months can be absolutely awful for your already sensitive skin! Even if your skin isn\u2019t dry year-round, chilly weather and icy air can definitely change up your skin\u2019s trouble spots. It can be a constant struggle to keep this skin type hydrated and happy. Whether your skin is chapped from wind and exposure, or just needs a little bit of tender care and healing, there are so many wonderful products out there that you can learn how to make yourself, and which are really effective at pampering your dry skin. Your dry skin can feel silky-soft and smooth in less time than you might think!<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Are anhydrous<\/i> products the best choice?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

One of the most amazing products for rich skin softening is body butter. These oil-based (anhydrous) products make the skin soft and lovely, and they definitely have their place among the pantheon of rich skin products. However, if you\u2019re <\/span>only <\/span><\/i>using anhydrous products on your skin, you might not be providing the right kind of long-term hydration, moisture, and healing. Here\u2019s why. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Oils make the skin softer, but that doesn\u2019t mean hydrated. It\u2019s water that hydrates the skin, and anhydrous products alone can\u2019t hydrate because they are <\/span>an<\/span><\/i>hydrous\u2014they literally <\/span>don\u2019t <\/span><\/i>have water in them. Water can\u2019t be imparted into your skin because it isn\u2019t there in the first place! If you\u2019ve been relying on body butters or other anhydrous products primarily for your dry skin, and you\u2019re not seeing results beyond immediate, short-term softening, this might be part of the problem.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Butters, oils, and other emollients <\/span>are <\/span><\/i>very important for your skin, so don\u2019t discount them completely! Just know what it is they can do, and what they can\u2019t, if you have a specific skincare goal in mind. And for dry skin, emollients are just a part of the puzzle.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In order for skin to be healthy, hydrated, and functioning properly, it needs both water and lipids. Water will plump the skin and prevent the cells from drying out. Skin produces what\u2019s called Natural Moisturizing Factors (NMF), which are a mixture of molecules that collectively work as humectants, helping to retain moisture inside the cells.<\/span> The cells in the stratum corneum are surrounded by lipids (fatty acids, cholesterol, ceramides) which further protect the skin from dehydration. This is why these lipids are often referred to as the lipid barrier or moisture barrier. So for the skin\u2019s protective function to be effective, it needs to have enough water, humectants, and lipids. This is why an ideal product for dry skin will contain exactly those\u2014water, humectants and lipids (which will function as emollients and occlusives.)<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When making products to help very dry skin, you need to choose ingredients which fulfil those roles: <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n