Cracked skin: how to treat and prevent skin dryness?

What is Cracked Skin and What Are the Symptoms?

Cracked skin, or very dry skin, is characterized by fissures, itching, and a tight feeling. It can be caused by a combination of environmental, genetic, and health-related factors. Symptoms include rough, gritty skin and skin that peels or cracks. Cracked skin can also lead to pain if left untreated.

Causes of Cracked Skin

Cracked skin can have many causes, both internal and external. These factors alter the skin's barrier function and reduce skin hydration.

• Cracked Skin vs. Very Dry Skin: Cracked skin is a more extreme form of dry skin, where moisture loss leads to visible, sometimes painful fissures.
• Loss of Natural Oils: The loss of these essential oils reduces the skin's ability to retain water, leading to visible signs of dehydration and cracking.
• Dehydration of Deep Skin Layers: When moisture is insufficient in the deeper layers of the skin, it becomes tight, begins to crack, and shows signs of flaking.

External Factors

• Climate and Weather: Cold, dry winter air or excessive sun exposure can dry out the skin.
• Frequent Washings: Hot, frequent showers or exposure to chlorinated water can damage the skin's hydrolipidic barrier.
• Irritating Products: Cleaning products or rough fabrics like wool can worsen skin dryness.
• Occupational Risks: Certain professions, such as healthcare workers or farmers, which involve frequent handwashing, can worsen cracked skin.

Internal Factors

• Aging: The decrease in sebaceous glands with age reduces skin hydration, especially in women after menopause.
• Skin Conditions: Conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, and ichthyosis can cause intense dryness and cracking.
• Genetics: Some people naturally produce fewer lipids, making them more prone to dry skin.
• Health Issues: Conditions like hypothyroidism, kidney disease, and certain cancers can lead to severe skin dryness.

How to Treat Dry and Cracked Skin?

Treating cracked skin involves hydrating and repairing the skin's barrier. Here are some tips for effectively treating dry skin:

• Reduce the Number of Products Used
  Some skincare products can damage the skin's barrier. Limit products and choose those that restore hydration.
• Adopt a Skincare Routine
  Use products that target hydration and repair the skin's barrier in your daily routine.
• Choose the Right Ingredients
• • Sunflower Oil: It hydrates without damaging the skin's barrier.
  • Aloe Vera: Apply aloe vera gel to affected areas for deep hydration.
  • Algae Extract: An ingredient that protects and hydrates the skin.
  • Rose Flower Water: Thanks to its composition of water and active elements, rose flower water is a perfect choice for deep skin hydration 

Routine for Dry and Cracked Skin

A well-structured routine is essential for treating cracked skin. Here is a guide for each step:

• Cleansing: Choose a gentle, soap-free cleanser that respects the skin's barrier. Aloe vera-based cleansers are ideal.
• Serum: Incorporate a hydrating serum into your routine for deep hydration.
• Moisturization: Moisturize your skin twice a day with a hydrating day cream and a deeply nourishing night cream.
• Sunscreen: Use a gentle sunscreen in the morning, a product that does not dry out the skin.

Recommended Products by ENDLESS PURE

	Clarifying Foaming Gel A gentle cleanser containing aloe vera that cleanses the skin without damaging its natural barrier, leaving the skin fresh and hydrated.
	Hydrating Serum A deeply hydrating serum that helps restore skin hydration with rose flower water for soft and nourished skin.
	Anti-Age Day Cream Anti-Age day cream formulated with algae extract for deep hydration and protection against external factors.
	Collagen Anti-Age Night Cream A restorative night cream that deeply nourishes the skin with sunflower seed oil, while promoting hydration overnight.
	Natural sunscreen SPF 30 A gentle sunscreen with SPF 30 that effectively protects the skin from UV rays without drying it out.

Conclusion

Cracked skin is often a sign of severely dehydrated skin, which can have both external and internal causes. To prevent and treat cracked skin, a tailored skincare routine with hydrating and repairing ingredients is essential. If the condition persists or causes pain, consider consulting a dermatologist for professional treatment.

FAQ - Cracked Skin and Very Dry Skin

What is dry skin?

• Dry skin is a condition where the skin lacks hydration and lipids, leading to feelings of tightness, roughness, and flaking. It can be caused by internal or external factors that disrupt the skin barrier.

What are the causes of dry skin?

• The causes of dry skin include external factors such as climate, sun, and pollution, as well as internal factors like aging, genetics, or certain medical conditions. A damaged skin barrier and insufficient hydration also play a major role.

How to treat extremely dry skin?

• To treat extremely dry skin, it is essential to deeply hydrate the skin. This includes applying moisturizers twice a day and using products with effective hydrating ingredients, such as aloe vera, algae extract, and sunflower seed oil.

What ingredients to use to hydrate the skin?

• To hydrate dry skin, prioritize natural and hydrating ingredients such as aloe vera, algae extract, sunflower seed oil, and rose flower water. These ingredients help restore hydration and strengthen the skin barrier.

What products to use?

• ENDLESS PURE has created a specialized collection to hydrate dry skin. Their range includes gentle cleansers, hydrating serums, anti-aging day and night creams, as well as mineral sunscreens that help nourish, repair, and protect the skin deeply.