Dry skin is the cause of various skin problems.

In an ideal situation, our skin contains plenty of moisture with a youthful surface that is smooth to the touch. However, when the moisture content inside the skin decreases for any reason, our skin texture becomes disturbed causing dryness, tightness, and roughness. This condition is termed dry skin.

Intercellular lipids and NMF inside our skin trap moisture. Whereas sebum creates a moisture film. In a dry skin condition intercellular lipid, NMF and sebum degrades in volume. This leads to a decline in skin barrier function as well as a decrease in skin turnover. At this point, our skin starts to lose water and become more susceptible to external stimuli. So, if you don't take care of your skin early, your skin will become even more dry.

It's worth noting that NMF (Natural Moisturizing factors) plays a crucial role in maintaining skin moisture levels. Additionally, it has been observed that a decrease in NMF can lead to a loss of skin transparency and radiance. Simply put, dry skin is closely connected to a lackluster appearance. Moreover, dry skin may develop an uneven texture, resulting in a diminished ability to reflect light and a loss of its natural transparency and radiance. Additionally, the skin may lose its smoothness and firmness over time, resulting in more noticeable pores and fine lines. In some cases, these issues can escalate, leading to powdery skin and itching. Having dry skin can lead to a variety of skin issues.

Remember, our skin is constantly at risk of dryness and flakiness. Dryness factors are hidden everywhere in daily life. So, let’s look at the causes of skin dryness and flakiness.

Sebum, an oily substance produced by the sebaceous glands, is responsible for providing the skin's surface with most of its lipids, or fat molecules. These surface lipids help maintain the skin's moisture and promote its overall health. Sebum contributes 90% of the lipids on the skin’s surface. These lipids lock in moisture and protect the skin. When exposed to UV rays the sebum film oxidizes and weakens the skin barrier. Consequently, the moisture in our skin evaporates easily leaving the skin susceptible to damage.

The amount of sebum secreted by our skin changes depending on the changes in the environment. For example, if you are exposed to the sun or air conditioning too much in a day it will reduce the sebum production. Besides, when the water content in the air drops due to atmospheric changes it will make our skin drier by reducing sebum production. Overall, when sebum production decreases it creates dry skin on face.

Mental stress and physical fatigue cause disturbances in the autonomic nervous system and stagnate blood flow. When blood circulation is poor, the nutrients your skin needs are not delivered to your skin, resulting in rough and dry skin. Also, a hormone called “cortisol” is secreted when you feel stressed. When this is secreted in excess, ceramide, the source of moisture, is broken down and dryness progresses.

Smoking reduces oxygen saturation levels. When the saturation level drops active oxygen accumulates in our body which oxidizes our skin. As the barrier function deteriorates, the moisture retention capacity decreases and dryness progresses. On the other hand, alcohol dehydrates, so it tends to strip your skin of moisture. It has been scientifically proven that skin starts to dry out in about 30 minutes after drinking alcohol.

Nutrients are essential for our body to generate new cells. When we do excessive dieting, it may result in nutritional deficiencies or imbalances. As a result, the skin's metabolism slows down and becomes worn out. An oil-free diet is a cause of dry skin.

Sleep is very important for stimulating the secretion of growth hormone and repairing the skin. If you don't get enough, your skin's turnover will be disrupted, and its barrier function will decline. In fact, if you sleep for 5 hours for 3 days, your skin's moisture content will drop by 17%! The rate of water loss is approximately 13 times greater.

In the summer, our skin tends to become sticky due to excess sweat and sebum secretion, while the inside of our skin becomes dry due to air conditioning and the temperature difference between indoors and outdoors, resulting in an ‘inner dry’ condition. Damage caused by UV rays is also serious. In winter, the outside air is dry, and the temperature drops, resulting in low sebum secretion and a decline in barrier function. Dry conditions continue, and problems such as fine lines, lack of firmness, and irregular texture are more likely to occur than in other seasons.

Our skin is exposed to various drying factors. But don't be pessimistic! If you know the cause, take proper measures, and take care of yourself every day, your skin will respond.

To keep your skin moisturized, it is essential to have a good balance of water and oil. To achieve this, it is important to properly perform basic skin care with PITERA™ Facial Treatment Essence and PITERA™ Facial Treatment Clear Lotion. By providing sufficient moisture, your skin will become soft, smooth, and evenly textured. If you are concerned about dryness, instead of applying lotion all at once, divide it into 2 times a day--morning and evening. Check if it has absorbed well into your skin each time.

When your skin is dry, its barrier function is broken, and water evaporates more easily. If you feel even the slightest bit of dryness, start dry skin treatment immediately. Replenish moisture with a cotton pack soaked in lotion or a sheet mask containing useful ingredients. After that, lock in moisture with emulsion or cream. We also recommend layering cream around the eyes and mouth, which tend to get dry. Also, to prevent dryness during the day, it is effective to choose a base cream that has an emulsion effect.

Ultraviolet rays are the culprit that not only dries your skin but also causes various types of damage. Especially in early spring, when the ultraviolet rays increases rapidly, it is easy to get an “accidental burn”. If possible, wear sunscreen all year round. SPF 30 is sufficient for daily life, but SPF 50 is recommended for summer outdoor scenes and winter sports where snow reflections are strong.

Lack of sleep, mental and physical stress, smoking, drinking alcohol, and imbalanced nutrition lead to dry skin. Try to improve the quality of your sleep. It is also recommended to do a digital detox one hour before going to sleep. A balanced diet is also essential. Be sure to supplement your diet with vitamin A and B group vitamins, minerals, protein, and high-quality fats.

Dryness can also cause skin irritation. Your makeup won't go on well and you'll feel depressed, but if you worry about it and get stressed out you can end up making things even worse. First of all, stop washing your face too much or using strong cleansers. If you experience symptoms such as redness, inflammation, pain, or itching, stop using your cosmetics and consult a dermatologist. The skin is also connected to the state of mind and body. It is also important to be aware of the stress you experience daily and find ways to relieve it.

Spring is the time of year when oxidants such as pollen and UV-A, which penetrate deep into the skin, are the strongest. To maintain healthy skin, Use PITERA™ Facial Treatment Essence to hydrate your skin in times of dry surroundings. Also, do not forget to apply sunscreen.

Excessive sebum secretion in summer can lead to skin oxidation, so it is important to keep your skin clean with a gentle and careful face wash. It's also the time of year when dead skin cells tend to accumulate. If you are concerned about your skin's roughness, be sure to treat it with a wipe-off lotion. It should be useful for dealing with dead skin cells and excess sebum. Afterward, apply the fresh-feeling lotion onto a cotton pad and apply it by gently pressing it into your skin until it feels cool. Your skin should feel refreshed and filled with moisture.

Autumn is when the temperature and humidity suddenly drop, carrying away the damage caused by summer's ultraviolet rays. Many people may be experiencing problems such as dullness, visible pores, irregular skin texture, and rough skin. Add lotion like PITERA™ Facial Treatment Clear Lotion, cotton mask, or sheet mask depending on your skin condition, and make sure to use basic lotion + emulsion (or cream). PITERA™ Facial Treatment Clear Lotion contains AHAs and exfoliating properties to aid in dead skin removal.

Winter is a time when the air is extremely dry, and fine wrinkles and lack of firmness are most noticeable due to dry skin. You want to maintain moisture through daily care with moisturizing lotions, emulsions, and creams. Emulsions and creams are more effective if you choose a richer texture than in other seasons. Also, by adding products that promote anti-aging care, you should be able to aim for more vibrant-looking skin.

Dryness is one of the factors that affect the appearance of our skin and accelerate aging. However, if you continue to take proper care of your skin, your future skin will change. Skin that is well hydrated and maintains its barrier function will maintain its beauty even after 10 years. In other words, taking care of dryness is the key to maintaining beautiful skin for a long time. Make sure to thoroughly moisturize your skin for the future.