Skincare has come a long way since old-fashioned cold creams. As the science has become more advanced, so have the product formulas, and today’s medical-grade moisturizers can/and should/do much more than simply hydrate your skin.
As I help my patients and clients optimize their moisturizing routine, it’s valuable to arm them with some actionable tips about factors that might be contributing to their dry skin, including:
Age: When we reach puberty, our body starts to produce sebum (a skin oil). Higher levels of sebum are associated with a decrease in skin lipids; regrettably, the sebum is not as effective in keeping the skin hydrated, and as we age our body produces less and less of these moisture-trapping lipids.
Dry air: Central heating, especially during the winter’s low humidity, forces hot, dry air into the home or workplace, reducing skin’s moisture levels. Similarly, airplane air treatments expose and dry out the skin.
Acne-fighting products: Harsh ingredients in these formulas typically strip skin of its lipid content, not only drying skin, but setting off a compensatory mechanism which produces more skin oils and often leads to more breakouts.
Tight clothing: Close-fitting fabric in clothes, like leggings, tends to worsen dry winter skin through abrasive friction.
Baths, showers, and swimming: Frequent showering or bathing, especially with hot water or for long periods of time, can break down the lipid barriers in the skin. Similar changes occur with frequent swimming, particularly in heavily chlorinated pools.
Soaps and shower gels: Normal skin has a healthy balance of moisture and oils, and a slightly acidic pH of 4.5 to 5.75. Soaps and detergents, which are alkalis of pH 7 to 12, damage the skin’s barrier function by stripping away essential moisture and lipids. Deodorant and antibacterial soaps, as well as the commonly-sensitizing artificial fragrances and colors popular in bath gels, can also be drying and irritating to the skin.
MULTI-TASKING MOISTURIZERS Sands’s moisturizers are formulated with advanced medical-grade actives to reduce visible signs of skin aging and achieve impressive improvement in the appearance of lines and wrinkles, dullness, age spots, and rough texture. Created by a board-certified dermatologist and clinically tested to ensure maximum benefits with minimal irritation, the following is a selection of our own best selling moisturizers. * Sands Ultra Benefits® Excellent for all skin types (including rosacea-prone, sensitive, and post-procedure), this lightly textured cream has three main benefits:
Helps to improve lines and age spots using Lipochroman®, the most powerful synthetic antioxidant on the market
Protects skin from UV-induced damage caused by excessive exposure to sunlight and the harmful light from digital devices, including phones and computer screens
Visibly plumps skin appearance with firming marine peptides
* Sands Vita-C 20 A more aggressive anti-aging moisturizer, this intensive brightening cream has a sumptuous velvety texture due to its unique water-free formula, which keeps its Vitamin C-rich ingredients stable. The main actives include 20% L-ascorbic acid and orange essential oil to visibly reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and age spots.