Designation of skin prone to roughness, tension and insufficient lubrication. The care usually includes both water and lipid components. Dryness has various causes and cannot always be explained by skin type alone.
Water and lipids in care
Dryness of the skin is related to its barrier and the way it holds water, not just a visible lack of shine. Roughness, peeling and a feeling of tightness may have different intensity and causes. Care often combines water-binding ingredients with materials that soften and reduce water loss. A heavier consistency is not necessarily better in every situation. The method of cleansing and regularity are also important, not the single ingredient highlighted on the packaging.
It is worth distinguishing a persistent tendency from a sudden change after a new preparation or change in conditions. Information about when and where dryness occurs helps describe the situation. A persistent condition with cracking or severe discomfort requires a broader assessment than selecting a product based on skin type name alone.
Meaning and application
When choosing a cosmetic, start with comfort after washing and during the day. It is important whether the preparation suits you in terms of consistency, smell and method of application. A richer cream does not have to be the best choice for every surface and pore.
In practice
Evaluate cleansing and the product left on the skin in turn. Avoid introducing many new things at the same time, which make it difficult to recognize tolerance. Check the instructions and declarations regarding fragrances, instead of choosing only those that say natural.
Don't treat constant itching, painful cracks or severe lesions as a normal, acceptable skin condition. In this situation, a specialist assessment may be needed. Choose a care product without attributing undocumented medicinal properties to it.