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Increased dryness of the skin and how to moisturize it.

The most common problem in cosmetology is dry skin. The signs of dry skin are reduced plasticity, cracking, a feeling of tightness, early wrinkles, irritation, excessive sensitivity, increased keratinization. These symptoms develop due to a decrease in the amount of moisture in the upper, stratum corneum.

The stratum corneum differs significantly from other, deeper layers in that it contains a low percentage of water - about 15%. Such a small amount of water is sufficient to maintain the plasticity and integrity of the stratum corneum. If the level of water content in the cells of the stratum corneum decreases, then there is a violation of the properties of its structure, which in turn worsens the barrier properties of the skin (that is, it ceases to be an impenetrable barrier). The stratum corneum becomes thinner, cracks and promotes the evaporation of water from deeper layers, which leads to disruption of the metabolism of skin cells and even their death. Excessive evaporation of water disrupts the regenerative properties of the skin, facilitates the easier penetration of pathogenic microorganisms from the surface layer into the deeper layers of the dermis.

Before fighting unpleasant symptoms: a feeling of tightness , itching, cracking, it is necessary to increase the protective properties of the stratum corneum, that is, restore the water balance of the skin, or in other words, learn how to moisturize it.

First you need to establish the reasons for the drying out of the skin . The reasons may be different: low fluid intake during the day, skin diseases, global metabolic disorders, diseases of the urinary tract, digestive problems, as well as negative external influences (dry indoor air, hot climate, exposure to frost and wind, mechanical effects on skin surface: dust, cosmetics).

Ways to moisturize the skin.

Where does water come from in the upper layer of the skin? The skin, with its unique structure of sweat glands, is such a natural vaporizer. Water tends to the surface of the skin, with the help of sweat glands it is removed to the surface of the stratum corneum and evaporates. Covering the skin with a gas-impermeable material can delay the evaporation process and very quickly increase the water level in the surface layer. This method causes the skin to overhydrate. This is the principle behind the effect of wrap-around masks for skin, when a film is applied over the applied cosmetic products, which retards evaporation.

In cosmetic preparations, the role of such a film is played by petroleum jelly, liquid paraffin, ceresin, natural waxes, vegetable oils, animal fats, liquid silicones, lanolin.
The use of hygroscopic compounds is based on their ability to bind water molecules and keep them on the surface. Such connections work in two ways.

On the one hand, they act on the principle of a wet compress, that is, they are not able to penetrate the skin layer, are fixed on its surface and absorb moisture like a sponge. Glycerin, sorbitol, polyglycols (propylene glycol, ethylene glycol), polysaccharides (hyaluronic acid, pectins, chitosan, protein molecules and their hydrolysates (for example, collagen and elastin), polynucleic acids) possess such qualities. On the other hand, the use of such compounds in dry climates provokes the opposite effect - drawing water out of the skin. Therefore, it is necessary to apply cosmetics containing the above compounds at high air humidity, only then will the skin be effectively moisturized.
Natural moisturizing ingredients - sodium pyroglutamate, free amino acids, lactic acid, urea are formed as a result of the breakdown of protein structures. They carry a certain amount of water, are able to glue the horny scales and thereby provide the plasticity of the skin. The aforementioned components contained in cosmetics are not able to penetrate deeper than the stratum corneum, do not give a quick effect, but do not depend on air humidity, and the incipient moisturizing lasts a longer period than when using the wet compress technique.
The dilution effect is basically based on the ability of the body to dilute its concentration with an increase in osmotic pressure as a result of an overestimated intake of salt. For these purposes, cosmetic products include an ingredient such as mineral salts.

What ingredients of cosmetics should not be used during the restoration of the skin's water balance:

Alcohols and ethers (will dry the skin additionally)
Essential oils (irritating)
Preservatives (especially formaldehydes - will disrupt natural regeneration processes)
Dyes (may cause allergies)

To learn how to properly moisturize your skin, you need to carefully read the composition of cosmetic moisturizers. The simpler the formulation of the cosmetic product, the fewer side effects the skin will experience.

After completing the process of moisturizing the skin, it is necessary to restore its integrity (patch up cracks and remove inflammation, reduce keratinization). For these purposes, procedures using medicinal plants (baths) are suitable, followed by treatment with a nourishing cream with a high percentage of fat.

Summing up what has been written, it should be noted that if the body itself does not receive enough fluid, or loses it due to excessive sweating, diarrhea, vomiting and other factors that contribute to the removal of water from the body, then the skin begins to lose its natural qualities (elasticity is disturbed, sagging, thinning , peels off). Therefore, first of all, it is necessary to monitor the sufficient intake of water in the body, that is, drink at least 2 liters of fluid per day, and under certain circumstances associated with excessive loss of fluid, even a larger volume. The exception is situations when kidney function is impaired. In these cases, the daily intake of fluid into the body is calculated by the urologist individually.