Dry Skin

What's happening beneath the skin?

Dry skin is a skin type, not a temporary condition. It produces less oil than other skin types, which means it has less natural protection against moisture loss and environmental exposure. It tends to feel tight, look dull, and is more prone to visible flaking, redness, and sensitivity.

The skin's surface is protected by a lipid barrier composed of ceramides, fatty acids, and cholesterol. This barrier controls how much water the skin loses throughout the day. In dry skin, the sebaceous glands produce insufficient sebum, leaving this barrier chronically underfuelled. Without adequate lipids to seal the surface, water escapes freely through the skin via transepidermal water loss.

The result is skin that is perpetually dehydrated even when systemic hydration is adequate. Over time, a chronically compromised barrier becomes less able to defend against irritants and allergens, which is why dry skin types are more prone to sensitivity, redness, and conditions like eczema.

Dry skin also loses elasticity more readily with age. As collagen and lipid production both decline, the combination of structural thinning and barrier dysfunction can accelerate the appearance of fine lines and rough texture.

Causes

• Genetics is the primary driver. Dry skin types are born with fewer active sebaceous glands or glands that produce less sebum. This is a fixed characteristic of the skin type.
• Environmental conditions worsen it significantly. Cold air, low humidity, wind, and central heating all accelerate moisture loss from a barrier that is already compromised.
• Cleansing habits are a major modifiable factor. Harsh cleansers, hot water, and over-washing strip the residual oils and natural moisturising factors that dry skin depends on.
• Age accelerates the condition. Sebum production and lipid synthesis both decline with age, making dry skin progressively drier without intervention. Hormonal shifts, particularly during menopause, can intensify this significantly.

Daily & Ongoing Care

Managing dry skin effectively means consistently reinforcing what the barrier cannot produce on its own: lipids, moisture, and protection. Results compound with daily consistency over time.

At home:

• Cleanse with a gentle, non-foaming cleanser that does not strip natural oils. Avoid hot water, which disrupts barrier lipids.
• Apply moisturiser immediately after cleansing, while the skin is still slightly damp, to seal moisture in.
• Look for moisturisers containing ceramides, shea butter, squalane, or fatty acids to actively replenish the barrier.
• Hyaluronic acid adds surface moisture but requires a sealing layer on top to prevent it from drawing moisture from the deeper skin as it dries.
• SPF 50 daily. UV radiation damages barrier integrity and accelerates the structural thinning that makes dry skin worse over time.
• Retinoids stimulate cellular turnover and can improve the texture and function of dry skin when introduced gradually and paired with adequate barrier support.

Professional treatments:

• Skin Boosters restore deep dermal hydration and stimulate collagen and elastin, addressing both the functional and structural aspects of dry skin.
• HydraFacial infuses hydrating and barrier-supporting ingredients directly into the skin surface, providing immediate improvement in texture, tone, and comfort.
• Medical-grade facials incorporating enzyme exfoliation and barrier-specific formulations remove dead surface build-up and prepare the skin to absorb hydration more effectively.
• Biostimulators such as Sculptra support long-term dermal health and barrier quality by stimulating the skin's own collagen production over time.