Winter Skin Cures: Dry or Dehydrated

Every year around this time my clients start having “freak out” moments while lying in the treatment room  (you might be one of them):

• Why is my skin so dry?
• Can you see the flakiness?
• What moisturizer do you recommend?
• What should I do for my skin?, tell me, tell me PLEEEEEEEASE.

No kidding, it happens every time we are about to start the winter and yes!, it is a real thing, our skin keeps changing and transforming as the seasons change.
The question is:   Dry or Dehydrated Skin?

I believe great skin care starts with education. Before I address the causes of dry or dehydrated skin, it is important to know the difference between the two:

• Dry skin, or Allipoid skin, generally refers to skin that is lacking oil.
• Dehydrated skin is characterized by lack of moisture in the top layer of the skin, the Stratum  Corneum. Even oily skin can experience dehydration, since dehydration is a lack of water, not oil.

Both dry and dehydrated skin can experience:

• Irritation, inflammation, itchiness and sensitivity
• A feeling of tightness or tautness
• A look or feeling of roughness
• Slight to severe flaking and scaling
• Fine lines, severe redness and cracks that can sometimes bleed

The TOP TWO causes of dry, dehydrated skin:

• Wheather/Environmental Elements: Prolonged exposure to the sun causes water to evaporate from the skin. Cold winds, air conditioning units, forced air heating and low temperatures can also dry out skin and contribute to premature aging.

• Lifestyle: The trend of fat-free diets can deprive our bodies of skin-friendly Essential Fatty Acids (EFA’s). This deficiency can result in chronic itching, dryness, scaling, thinning and can lead to an imbalance in the skin. Excess intake of alcoholic beverages and certain medications (such as nasal decongestants) can also contribute to dry or dehydrated skin.

One of the biggest consequences of dry, dehydrated skin is an increase in sensitivity, as dryness and dehydration are precursors to sensitized skin. Addressing the issue promptly can help stave off sensitization. However, immediately applying super emollient (rich) cleansers and creams is not the answer, as emollient products could aggravate dehydrated skin that is also classified as oily.

A thorough skin analysis is your ultimate tool in the successful treatment of this challenging skin condition.

Paula’s Professional Prescription:

• External Beauty: Adding oils into your skin can be of great help for skins that are dehydrated, whether they are dry or oily, since they act as a seal trapping the moisture in and preventing from water evaporation. I personally use oils all year round. There are great oils in the market nowadays. One of my favorites is Rose Hip Oil, since it is loaded with essential fatty acids, vitamin E, vitamin C and B-carotene, a form of vitamin A. It has multiple benefits as is particularly famous for any scars, including acne scars and as an anti-aging because it is so rich in Vitamin C and helps to stimulate collagen production.
• Beauty from the inside out: A deficiency of omega-6 fatty acids has been correlated with atopic eczema, dry skin, scaling and cracking skin, and some forms of acne. Clinical trials using gamma-linoleic fatty acids (a powerful type of anti-inflammatory omega-6) have yielded gradual improvements in atopic eczema and marked improvements in moisturizing dry, cracking and/or scaling skin. Hemp seeds, hempseed oil, borage seed oil, and primrose oil are fantastic sources of gamma-linolenic fatty acids. You can find all of these items at your closest health food store.

To your beauty,

Paula

About Paula

Paula Lacobara is a NY licensed Skin Care Therapist and a certified Holistic Health Coach. Her passion is to support women to reconnect with themselves and their inner beauty.

Having worked for more than 7 years in one of the best spas in NYC, and studied at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition affiliated with Columbia University and with accreditation from the American Association of Drugless Practitioners (AADP), she discovered the most wanted secrets for beauty.

Paula was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina and moved to the United States 10 years ago.
Her journey began 15 years ago when a series of events started to happen in her life. She knew something needed to change. She traveled to India and learned a lot about the self. Her inner journey began. She moved to different parts of the country in Argentina and finally made it to the States.

Today she enjoys working with men and women from all walks of life and backgrounds who have the desire to make a difference in their skin and in their lives. In her coaching practice she guides women to live life with passion, purpose and power which ultimately allows them to trust and accept their true beauty from the inside out.

Paula works with coaching techniques, positive thinking and spiritual empowerment to support people to find a life of balance, joy and self love. Please visit www.skinbeautywellness.com for more information