Ananda Mahony
NaomiHeal Dehydrated Skin - Part 2 (LINK)
March 5th 2008 08:30
Following on from Part 1......Skin dehydration occurs when the water and oils that form part of the protective layer are out of balance. This can happen for a number of reasons:
1. Evaporation of moisture through the skin. Factors that promote moisture evaporation include dry air (ie lack of humidity or airconditioning), wind, prolonged water exposure (swimming in pools or long showers).
2. Damage to the waterproof barrier or disruption of the acid mantle leaving the skin open to issues such as dehydration, roughness, infection, redness and irritation. Synthetic foaming agents such as sodium laurel sulphate are a significant cause of acid mantle disruption.
3. Low water and healthy fat intake – adequate water intake is required to maintain cellular fluid. Essential fatty acids from good fats help maintain the fatty membrane surrounding the cell, holding in moisture and nutrition.
4. Ageing. As we age, there is a reduction in the water holding capacity of the skin as well as the production of natural oils.
The first thing to do to combat skin dehydration is to remove any factors that directly contribute to moisture loss or skin damage. Avoid long, hot showers, open the windows instead of relying on air-conditioning and stop using products that contain sodium laurel sulphate. Repairing these factors will slow down water loss. Dietary factors will be addressed below but certainly ensure you are getting enough water each day which will help increase water content.
The next step is to repair the waterproof barrier and restore the skin’s ability to attract and retain water. Ideally any skin care product applied will have a number of roles which include delivering nutrition which assists with repair, maintenance of the acid mantle and moisture barrier and a softening effect achieved by attracting water from the external environment. To achieve this, the ingredients must be able to be absorbed properly by the skin. Water based ingredients may have a temporary plumping effect on the surface of the skin but this effect will not last as the ingredients haven’t been absorbed into the deeper layers of the skin. Lipids and oil soluble ingredients are more readily absorbed by the skin as are ingredients that have a smaller particle size.
More in the next installment of this article.
Ananda Mahony ND is a naturopath and holistic skin specialist. Her practice focuses on the treatment of skin conditions. Ananda also owns Vitale Natural Skin & Body Care, a natural & organic skin care store in Paddington. www.vitalenatural.com.au
1. Evaporation of moisture through the skin. Factors that promote moisture evaporation include dry air (ie lack of humidity or airconditioning), wind, prolonged water exposure (swimming in pools or long showers).
2. Damage to the waterproof barrier or disruption of the acid mantle leaving the skin open to issues such as dehydration, roughness, infection, redness and irritation. Synthetic foaming agents such as sodium laurel sulphate are a significant cause of acid mantle disruption.
3. Low water and healthy fat intake – adequate water intake is required to maintain cellular fluid. Essential fatty acids from good fats help maintain the fatty membrane surrounding the cell, holding in moisture and nutrition.
4. Ageing. As we age, there is a reduction in the water holding capacity of the skin as well as the production of natural oils.
The first thing to do to combat skin dehydration is to remove any factors that directly contribute to moisture loss or skin damage. Avoid long, hot showers, open the windows instead of relying on air-conditioning and stop using products that contain sodium laurel sulphate. Repairing these factors will slow down water loss. Dietary factors will be addressed below but certainly ensure you are getting enough water each day which will help increase water content.
The next step is to repair the waterproof barrier and restore the skin’s ability to attract and retain water. Ideally any skin care product applied will have a number of roles which include delivering nutrition which assists with repair, maintenance of the acid mantle and moisture barrier and a softening effect achieved by attracting water from the external environment. To achieve this, the ingredients must be able to be absorbed properly by the skin. Water based ingredients may have a temporary plumping effect on the surface of the skin but this effect will not last as the ingredients haven’t been absorbed into the deeper layers of the skin. Lipids and oil soluble ingredients are more readily absorbed by the skin as are ingredients that have a smaller particle size.
More in the next installment of this article.
Ananda Mahony ND is a naturopath and holistic skin specialist. Her practice focuses on the treatment of skin conditions. Ananda also owns Vitale Natural Skin & Body Care, a natural & organic skin care store in Paddington. www.vitalenatural.com.au
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