5 Things Your Skin Wants You to Know
Have you ever looked in the mirror and been frustrated with what you saw? It seems like no matter what you do, your skin is angry with you. Have you ever wished that your skin could simply tell you what it wants? Well, it is – in its own way!
It’s critical to be able to observe and interpret the distress signals that your skin is sending you. The quicker you’re able to react, the happier and more balanced your skin will be! In this article, we’ll take a deep dive into the most common distress signals and the five things your skin wants you to know.
5 Things Your Skin Wants You to Know
Your skin is thirsty.
Feeling a bit itchy? Or perhaps your skin looks dull and fine lines and wrinkles are suddenly starting to look more pronounced? Your skin may be begging you for water.
Dehydrated skin can be very uncomfortable to deal with. It can cause excessive itchiness, tenderness, and tightness. Parched skin is also more susceptible to cracking, peeling, and bleeding. These injuries can introduce bacteria into the epidermis, leading to serious infections that may require medical attention.
If your skin is dehydrated, the first thing to do is step up your daily intake of water to ensure that your entire body is being hydrated.
Then it’s time to revamp your skincare routine. It’s essential to choose a product that can lock moisture into your skin and delay moisture evaporation from your skin’s acid mantel. Look for products with a larger proportion of humectants and emollients, such as thicker moisturizers or facial oils.
Carry a facial mist with you to hydrate your skin when it’s feeling a bit dry throughout the day.
Your skin is inflamed.
If you’re experiencing a lot of tenderness, itchiness, or sensitivity, your skin is likely inflamed. Inflammation is an important aspect of your body’s defense mechanism, however, chronic inflammation can lead to long-lasting damage and discomfort.
While inflammation can be triggered by excessive stress, it is the most significant indicator that there may be a more serious underlying condition. Inflammation is a common symptom in chronic skin conditions such as eczema and rosacea.
It’s crucial to reduce inflammation so that your skin can thrive. Choose facial serums that include anti-inflammatory ingredients such as carrot seed oil, hemp seed oil, ginger root, and beta-caryophyllene.
Your skin’s balance is thrown off.
When your skin’s balance is out of whack, it can lead to an overproduction of sebum and frequent breakouts!
While many factors can disrupt your skin’s balance, the most common include: dramatic climate changes, hormonal imbalances, over-exfoliation, and repeated exposure to products with harsh or drying ingredients.
Balance can look different for everyone, so it’s important to have a deeper understanding of your skin type and what it needs to thrive. If your skin is oily, it may be because it has to overproduce sebum to compensate for underlying dryness. If your skin is dry, it may require a product that is more moisturizing.
The best way to restore balance is to start from ground zero! Strip your skincare regimen down to the bare basics. Start with a gentle cleanser, a hydrating toner, and follow up with an effective moisturizer that is appropriate for your skin type.
Breaking down your routine will allow your skin to recover naturally. Then, you can gradually add products back into your regimen. Pay close attention to the way the products make your skin feel. Don’t be afraid to experiment with the frequency to see what your skin can tolerate!
Beta caryophyllene is known to help increase or decrease sebum at the cellular level. That means products containing beta caryophyllene, like
Achieving balance in your regimen is not a mathematical concrete equation and will require trial and error. However, these trials will allow you to become more in tune with your skin’s warning signs and needs so that you can adjust your regimen or products accordingly.
Your skin needs to be exfoliated.
Does your skin look dull and feel rough to the touch? Or perhaps you’re noticing excessive flaking and peeling, or it seems like no matter what you apply to your skin, it’s not working. If this is the case, your skin may be letting you know it’s time for a good ol’ scrub!
Exfoliation is an essential skincare step that shouldn’t be neglected. An excessive build-up of dead skin cells can drastically impede the penetration and absorption of your skincare products, such as moisturizers, serums, and sunscreen.
There are several ways to exfoliate your skin. You can use a manual exfoliation product such as a gentle scrub, exfoliating washcloth, or a loofah. If your skin is more sensitive, you may want to opt for a chemical exfoliant as they won’t cause as much tugging on the skin. Look for products that contain alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) or beta-hydroxy acids (BHAs), such as glycolic acid, lactic acid, or malic acid.
Your skin is compromised.
Maintaining a strong acid mantel is crucial to healthy-functioning skin! The acid mantel is responsible for delaying the evaporation of moisture from the skin. When it is compromised, the skin can’t effectively withhold moisture leading to chronic dryness and dehydration.
Chronically dehydrated skin loses its flexibility and elasticity. This breaking down of the skin’s strength can lead to exaggerated sagging, stretching, and thinning of the skin. It can also lead to a higher risk of microscopic tears and injuries, which can introduce infectious bacteria into the that contain humectants and emollients.
Humectants attract moisture from the atmosphere and draw them into the skin when applied topically. Common humectants in skin care products include glycerine, hyaluronic acid, polyglutamic acid, and urea.
skin cells.
The wonderful news is that your acid mantle can naturally restore itself if you give it what it needs! Avoid over-exfoliating, harsh products, and keep your skin hydrated. Look for products
Emollients will soften the skin and form a layer over the skin, reducing the rate at which moisture evaporates. Some wonderful emollients are shea butter, coconut oil, and jojoba oil.
Listen to your skin!
If you’re experiencing issues with your skin, slow down and try to understand what your skin is trying to communicate to you! If you can learn to observe and interpret your skin’s distress signals, you will be able to react and adjust quickly to keep your skin happy, glowing, and healthy!