28 JUN - 2023
We’ve got the one-stop-shop solution for all your dry skin woes.
We’ve officially settled into the worst season of the year here. The skies have opened and we’re experiencing downpour after downpour, harsh Southerlies and the ice cold temperatures that have us quivering in our sheepskin boots. Although we have wet winters here, it unfortunately doesn’t mean we’re safe from having our skin dried out. The heat pumps are at 30 degrees on full force and the moisture from our bodies are evaporating at an alarming rate. I’m often gasping for hydration like the alien from ‘Cocoon.’
Whether you have dry or oily skin, everyone experiences the effects of a compromised barrier during these chilly months, and for some, it can be incredibly uncomfortable to live with on a daily basis.
I chatted to asap skincare’s ambassador Amber Johnston, who is simply a fountain of knowledge when it comes to all things skin. From understanding the difference between dry and dehydrated skin to the ingredients we should avoid, and of course, the ultimate tried and true solution for it, you’ll know how to tackle your dry skin woes from the inside out.
What causes dry skin?
Let’s start with the very basics of skin. As we all know (or I should hope!), the skin is the largest organ of the body and the primary contact point with the external environment. It’s a defensive barrier that protects the internal organs from chemicals, substances, temperature and moisture outside of the body and also regulates the loss of fluids and electrolytes from the body.
The skin consists of three layers - the epidermis, dermis and hypodermis. The epidermis is where our skin tone is determined and forms a critical waterproof barrier between our internal organs and the external environment. When ‘dry skin’ issues arise, the epidermis is undergoing an increased activity of trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL).
In order to reduce said TEWL, our skin produces an oily and waxy matter called sebum which lubricates and waterproofs the skin’s surface. Since water and oil don’t mix, this layer of sebum is effectively our barrier that helps lock in moisture and prevents it from escaping.
Now, when our skin cells produce less sebum than necessary, our skin barrier is weakened, which then allows moisture to easily evaporate from the body and causes the skin to become ‘dry.’ At this point, the skin will feel taut and the texture will become rough and flaky. If your skin barrier is compromised severely, your skin can end up cracking and bleeding!
On the other hand, dehydrated skin occurs when the skin is lacking in water, as opposed to oil. During the winter months, both the environmental and indoor humidity is low, which increases TEWL and thus, our skin will be dry and lacklustre with a sudden increase in fine lines and wrinkles. Basically, we’re shrivelling up into a prune.
How Can We Avoid Dry Skin?
The epidermis is our first line of defence and so, we need to avoid products that strip this away and in turn, exacerbate trans-epidermal water loss. Without an army, how can you defend your land from its enemies?
The first step is to turn to the back label of your cleansers and check for ingredients such as surfactants (SLS/SLE) and alcohol that will upset the delicate balance of the skin.
As fragrance is the #1 skin sensitiser, it’s best to opt for formulas that are fragrance-free unless you’re confident that they’re free from irritating ingredients. You’ll often see benzyl alcohol, limonene and linanool in the ingredients list. These are known to trigger reactions which will impair skin barrier functions so watch out for those!
The second step is to avoid extreme temperatures. It’s our first instinct to blast the heat pump until our lounge is as toasty as a summer’s day - instead of turning up the heating, practice what your grandma preached and put those layers on! An extra long sleeve top is a much better option for your skin than hot air.
Avoiding extreme temperatures also means keeping your shower lukewarm. A hot shower can be quite the treat on a freezing day, especially if you’ve been caught in the rain, but as you may have experienced, it really makes the skin crusty, dusty dry!
Last but not least, make sure you’re staying hydrated as the water we drink accounts for 15% of our skin’s moisture levels. I love drinking hot water whether it’s piping hot or freezing cold as it feels like a hug from the inside out and it’s notable how much faster it hydrates my body!
It’s best to include products with water-binding ingredients such as hyaluronic acid and niacinamide.
The Best Ingredients and Products for Dry Skin
In terms of topical skincare, it’s best to include products with water-binding ingredients such as hyaluronic acid and niacinamide to calm the skin and lock in moisture. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, the asap Super B Complex is my all time favourite serum. So much so, that if I had to choose just one serum to use in my skincare routine forever, it would be this!
I love it for two reasons - its ingredients and its texture. The asap Super B complex is packed with 13% niacinamide (vitamin B3); to reduce inflammation, crosslinked hyaluronic acid (HA); that provides 5x the moisturising power and 50x the moisture retaining properties of traditional HA, panthanol (B5); to hydrate and assist with tissue repair, folic acid (B9); which has skin firming properties, and resveratrol; which boosts hydration by 36% in 28 days. It also contains aloe vera, red clover flower and licorice extracts which means this powerhouse of a product will not only hydrate the skin but also boost collagen production, reduce pigmentation and redness (including rosacea), reduce pore size as well as brighten the complexion.
When equipping yourself with the full arsenal of skincare products, this is the main tool to keep forever in your routine. I’ve gone through countless bottles over the years and it’s an icon of a product that is a must for every single skin type. Also, if you’re planning on any long haul flights, you’ll definitely need the Super B Complex for your travels.
If you’ve already been on the niacinamide bandwagon for a while, you’ll know that B3 serums tend to have a sticky texture that is difficult to mitigate when applying with other serums. With the Super B Complex, you can skip a step and mix it with your morning vitamin C serum or your nighttime AHA/BHA or retinol serum and it won’t leave your skin with a greasy or sticky finish!
asap Super B Complex
Hydration 2.0 - Be a Glow-Getter
If you’re looking to ramp up your routine with an additional moisture boost, the asap Liquid Platinum is a relatively new product from asap skincare that will give your skin a lit-from-within glow!
It harnesses an ingredient called saccharide isomerate which is a plant-derived, skin-identical carbohydrate complex that binds moisture to the corneocytes for a quick acting and long lasting effect. It also has arginine, which is an essential amino acid with strong healing powers that boosts our natural moisturising factor and corrects the urea deficits that occur as we age.
And to help your skin glow forth, the Liquid Platinum also has low percentage, slow release glycolic acid which is hydrophilic, meaning that it has a strong affinity with water. This means that you only see the positive effects of exfoliating while foregoing all the negative impacts to do with stripping the skin.
The asap Liquid Platinum works harmoniously with the Super B complex as a dynamic duo and luckily for us, they have released a limited edition Refine + Renew set which includes a large 50ml Super B Complex and a mini Liquid Platinum.
asap Refine + Renew set
For the past few months, including a 5-week around-the-world trip with a multitude of long and short haul flights, I’ve been using a full asap skincare regimen - and have been absolutely frothing over it! From LA to Vegas, London, Lisbon, Barcelona, Croatia, Amsterdam and Seoul, you can imagine the toll that these flights and drastic environmental changes would have taken on my skin. On long trips like these, my skin usually becomes incredibly inflamed and sensitised and stings every time I apply skincare. But this time around, I was so impressed and relieved with the efficacy of the asap products on sensitised skin. The Super B Complex was an absolute life-saver for my dry, dehydrated and at times, sunburnt skin, with its soothing qualities and was able to keep my skin from flaring up. If you’re suffering from dry, sensitive skin or simply wanting the crème de la crème of niacinamide serums, I can not recommend this serum enough! Here’s to staying plump, juicy, hydrated and keeping those wrinkles at bay for yet another year!
RELATED STORIES
GIVEAWAY
SUBSCRIBE
Subscribe to Chatty Chum's mailing list to receive the latest in beauty and lifestyle news, giveaways and the launch of our Editor's Collection boxes.