Let’s be honest – nobody’s skin is perfect. But dry, flaky patches and visible signs of aging can be especially bothersome when you are trying to achieve your best skin ever. Given the soaring pollution levels and the frequently changing climate we endure, dry skin is a common beauty woe. Aging skin, on the other hand, is an inevitable, natural process. However, this doesn’t mean you cannot treat and help slow down dry, aging skin.
Before we dive into how you can combat dryness and other signs of aging, let’s look at the telltale signs of dry skin in men.
Signs Of Dry, Flaky Skin In Men
Dry and flaky skin can result from a temporary problem or a persistent issue, affecting any part of the body. The severity of symptoms depends on factors such as where you live, your age, genetics, diet, as well as sun exposure.
If you suspect you have dry skin, look out for these telltale signs:
– Tightness after the skin comes into contact with water
– Rough skin texture
– Redness and itching
– Flaky, scaly skin that peels off
– Noticeable fine lines
– Cracked skin which may sometimes bleed
The good news is that dry skin doesn’t usually indicate an underlying health concern and can be managed with simple adjustments to your skincare routine. To be precise, a moisturizer for men can help heal dry, aging skin.
Before we explain how, let’s take a look at some signs and symptoms that warrant a visit to the dermatologist:
– Uncomfortable dryness that affects your quality of life
– Signs of skin infection
– Extensive peeling, flaking, or scaling over large areas of the skin
– Minor or no improvement in your condition despite intervention
In such cases, professional guidance and treatment can help address the underlying causes that are leading to the dryness. However, if your experience is not this severe, keep reading to learn how to fight dry and aging skin with the right moisturizer for men.
How Moisturizers Heal Dry, Ageing Skin
To understand how moisturizers work to replenish extremely dry skin, let’s first see what they constitute. If you want to moisturize your skin from deep within, picking an efficacious formula – that contains occlusives, humectants, and emollients – is imperative.
In simpler terms, occlusives lock in moisture; humectants absorb water, pulling it up from the dermis and, in humid environments, from the atmosphere; and emollients smoothen out rough patches, giving your skin a supple feel without altering its moisture levels.
Aside from these basic ingredients, there are more things to look for in a moisturizer for men that can soothe dry, damaged skin and reverse signs of aging.
Ingredients To Look For In Moisturizers For Men With Dry Skin
- Water: The best way to heal dry skin is by ensuring it’s thoroughly soaked in water and then applying a layer of Vaseline, which helps trap the moisture. However, this can be a messy and demanding practice in your daily life. So, unless your skin is extensively dry, using a moisturizer that contains water is a much simpler and more convenient option.
- Vitamins: Topical retinoic acid, a form of vitamin A, helps combat fine lines and wrinkles by boosting collagen production, making it a key component in prescription anti-wrinkle creams. However, retinyl palmitate, another form of vitamin A found in some moisturizers, is highly stable but lacks the potency of retinoic acid. The amounts typically present in moisturizers are not enough to significantly affect collagen or wrinkles. However, it’s still a good humectant, so you must look out for it in the ingredient list.
- Lactic Acid: Being a potent humectant that can soften the skin and improve elasticity, lactic acid reduces the likelihood of cracking and dryness. However, products with lactic acid may sometimes cause a stinging sensation; ensure you follow the instructions given on the label or, if your skin is severely dry, consult a professional before using the product.
- Hyaluronic Acid: Hyaluronic acid, a type of glycosaminoglycan, is a sugar produced naturally by the body. As it’s a humectant, it retains moisture to keep your skin hydrated and supple. It especially helps replenish the natural hyaluronic acid levels that decline with age. Therefore, it’s beneficial to incorporate this ingredient into your daily skincare regimen for dry skin. In addition to moisturizing the skin’s surface, hyaluronic acid promotes a firmer and smoother appearance.
- Ceramides: According to scientific research, when beauty products containing ceramides are applied directly to the skin, they can effectively seal in moisture and help heal the skin barrier. It’s advisable to include a ceramide-rich moisturizer for men in your nighttime skincare routine.
- Niacinamide: Known to offer multiple benefits to dry skin, using niacinamide regularly can help heal dry patches and uneven skin tone. This water-soluble vitamin B can soothe and moisturize the skin, promoting a firm and even complexion. Simply put, it reduces transepidermal water loss and, according to recent studies, may contribute to strengthening the skin’s natural moisture barrier.
Now that you are well-versed in what to look for in a moisturizer for men to heal dry skin, below are some additional tips to bear in mind.
Additional Tips To Improve Dry, Ageing Skin
- Avoid warm temperatures: Hot air is drier than cooler air, which can make your skin feel dehydrated. Turning down the heat can help reduce the dryness in the air that affects your skin.
- Use a humidifier: Humidifiers add moisture to the air, but how well they work depends on how airtight your home is. Humidifiers can help add moisture back into the air, but if you’re in a well-sealed room, the moisture may not spread evenly.
- Take warm showers, not hot: Hot water can strip your skin of its natural oils. Some doctors recommend using bath oils to help keep your skin moisturized. Warm water is gentler on the skin than hot water, which can wash away the oils that keep your skin hydrated. Using bath oils can help replenish moisture after bathing.
- Use a mild soap: Opt for gentler alternatives to harsh cleansers and soaps. Mild soaps are less likely to dry out your skin as compared to strong soaps.
- Protect your skin in cold, windy weather: Cold wind can dry out the skin even more, so wear warm clothing and gloves. Windy and cold weather can strip moisture from the skin, so it’s important to protect yourself with warm clothing and gloves to keep your skin hydrated.
