What to do with dry and dehydrated skin

Dry and dehydrated skin are two different things. Dry skin is a type of skin, and dehydrated skin is a condition.

Dry skin does has not enough natural oil produced by sebaceous glands. The lack of natural oil diminishes the skin’s ability to retain moisture as oil in the skin acts as a barrier against moisture loss.

Dry skin looks fine, overly delicate, and thin. The pores are almost invisible, and it tends to get fine lines easily. Dry skin problems are aggravated by the sun, wind, and heat. If dry skin insufficiently moisturised and protected against moisture loss especially during the day, the problem further worsens.

Dry skin also tends to be dehydrated.

Essential oils for dry and dehydrated skin

Gentle soothing and healing floral essential oils such as chamomiles, jasmine absolute, neroli, rose absolute and rose otto are recommended. Other oils that should be considered for treating dry skin include geranium, lavender, palmarosa, rosewood, and sandalwood. These oils should be mixed with carriers such as avocado, wheatgerm, sweet almond, apricot kernel, jojoba, macadamia, evening primrose, and infused calendula.

The best way to apply is a gentle massage to increase local circulation in the capillaries that nourish the skin, and this in return will improve the whole health of the skin.

Dehydrated skin lacks insufficient moisture in the cellular system and intercellular channels. Dehydrated skin looks dull, even flaky. It crinkles and feels like layered.

Dehydrated skin can be a result of excessive perspiration, insufficient sebum to prevent evaporation of natural moisture, poor metabolism, insufficient water intake, diet, environment, not using sunscreens or skincare products, using inappropriate skincare products and cleansing with hash soaps and water. It may feel like tight and cold.

Lack of oil and lack of moisture are both the result of endocrine imbalance, and essential oils which help to correct imbalances should be used. They are geranium and lavender. The skin needs protection all the time. You may consider several applications of the skincare per day.

Oily skin can be dehydrated too. When oily skin becomes dehydrated the surface layers of cells harden and block oil secretion. It may result in infection.

To help the dehydrated condition the skin should be protected and moisturised to help seal the natural moisture of the skin and reduce the moisture loss and introduce moisture to the skin. Oil masks are highly recommended.

The suitable essential oils for dehydrated skin are geranium, lavender, chamomiles, neroli, rose absolute, rose otto, sandalwood. Together with the carriers such as avocado, macadamia, sweet almond, and apricot kernel the oils will seal the moisture and deliver protection to the skin.

Aromatherapy approach is to combine proper essential oils with carriers to gently stimulate the sebaceous glands to function more efficiently as well as support the blood supply to the skin’s layers for proper nourishment.

We offer a bespoke skin oil for dry and dehydrated skin. Ask our aromatherapist for help.

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