Two Types of Dry Skin: Surface Tightness vs. Deep Tightness

Two Types of Dry Skin

Surface Tightness vs. Deep Tightness

Have you ever felt that your skin was dry because of your skin condition or environmental factors?

However, skin is not simply dry because it lacks moisture. It may also be a state where the epidermis is dry for various reasons, or it may be internal dryness.

Surface tightness, in other words, epidermal dryness, means the stratum corneum is dry.

Deep tightness means internal dryness, where the deeper layers of the skin are dry.

Shall we take a look at the two types?

Epidermal Dryness, Surface Tightness

What people usually refer to as surface tightness is mainly the pulling sensation felt on the skin surface. It occurs when the skin feels dry and tight after washing your face.

The skin surface becomes dry and rough, and sometimes it may flake like scales.

This is commonly seen when you are exposed to excessive cleansing habits or environmental factors, or when you are using products that do not suit your skin.

1. Excessive Cleansing

Washing your face too often or using hot water can damage the skin's protective barrier and cause moisture to escape.

2. Environmental Factors

External environments such as dry weather, air pollution, and heating or air conditioning can affect the skin and cause surface moisture to evaporate.

In particular, placing a heater under your feet in winter can also contribute to skin dryness.

3. Use of Cosmetics

Irritating cleansers or scrub products that do not suit your skin can irritate the skin and make it feel dry.

Dryness That Pulls From Within

You may feel dry and rough from the inside.

If applying moisturizer to the surface gives temporary relief, but the feeling of tightness and discomfort continues because moisture is lacking deep within the skin, it may be internal dryness.

In such cases, some people apply oily products, but that may only be temporary or may not suit the skin!

So why does this happen?

1. Skin Barrier Damage

When the skin's internal moisture barrier is damaged,

moisture escapes and the skin becomes dry even deep inside.

This can create a feeling of tightness from within.

2. Internal Causes

Lack of water in the body or hormonal changes such as pregnancy or menopause can also cause internal skin dryness.

You may want to check whether there have been any changes in your body.

3. Skin Diseases

When conditions such as atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, or eczema are present,

the skin may become dry from within and itchy symptoms may appear.

Differences Between Surface and Internal Dryness

Dryness that pulls on the surface is mainly a problem of the skin surface and occurs when the skin's protective barrier is damaged or moisture is lacking.

Dryness that pulls from within is a condition in which moisture becomes insufficient in the deeper layers of the skin, and it can cause more persistent and severe discomfort.

In this case, moisturizing only the skin surface may not fully solve the problem.

Ways to Improve Dry Skin When skin is dry, the way to improve it may differ depending on whether it is surface tightness or internal tightness, and there may also be differences depending on the individual’s skin.

First, for those with surface tightness, use a gentle cleanser to reduce irritation and wash your face with lukewarm water.

After cleansing, it is best to apply moisturizer right away.

For those with internal tightness, skin barrier care is needed.

Using moisturizers containing ingredients such as ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and cholesterol can help improve it.

It also helps to drink enough water and eat foods with high water content, such as watermelon, cucumber, and strawberries.

You can also improve the environment where you stay by using a humidifier and adjusting humidity and temperature.

For Surface Tightness, Cleanse and Moisturize Thoroughly! For Internal Tightness, Start with Skin Barrier Care!

Dry skin can appear differently on the surface and from within, and proper care is needed according to each cause.

Surface dryness can be improved with surface-level moisturizing,

but internal dryness requires more in-depth care.

If your skin is dry, it is important to maintain skin health by practicing appropriate care methods that match the cause.

The Jamshil branch of Oganacell Dermatology Clinic is located inside the Medical Center on the 11th floor of Lotte World Tower.

Thank you^^

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