From Dry Skin to Moisturized Skin | Human Dermatology Clinic Seoul National University Branch

Whenever you look in the mirror these days,
haven’t you thought,
“Why does my skin look so dry?”
When your face feels tight after washing,
your makeup sits unevenly,
and even flaking starts to appear,
it can feel upsetting for no real reason.
There was a time when just applying lotion
was enough,
but at some point,
even with moisturizing,
your skin may start to feel dry again quickly.
In fact, dry skin is
a very common skin concern
that everyone experiences at least once.
That’s because several factors,
such as seasonal changes, lifestyle habits,
and skin aging,
combine to make moisture
easily escape from the skin.

Why does dry skin happen?
The two biggest reasons skin becomes dry are
“lack of moisture” and “a weakened skin barrier.”
On the surface of the skin,
there is a protective layer
that helps prevent moisture from escaping,
but when this barrier weakens,
moisture evaporates easily.
Then the skin quickly feels tight and rough.
Another reason is environmental factors.
Cold wind, dry indoor air,
air conditioning and heating used often
all continue to take moisture away from the skin.
If you also wash your face too often,
use hot water, or use irritating cleansers,
the skin can become even more sensitive
and drier.

Moisturizing habits to practice in daily life
To improve dry skin,
it’s a good idea to first review your daily habits.
When washing your face,
use lukewarm water instead of very hot water,
and keep cleansing time short.
Right after washing,
before the moisture has completely dried,
apply a moisturizer to help lock in hydration
so it doesn’t escape.
Managing indoor humidity is also important.
Especially in winter or during seasons
when ventilation is difficult,
using a humidifier
or even hanging up a wet towel
can greatly reduce skin dryness.
And making a habit of drinking water often
also helps your skin condition a lot.
After all, the skin is part of our body.

How should you choose moisturizing products?
When choosing a moisturizer,
instead of products with strong fragrance
or lots of irritating ingredients,
it’s better to choose one that contains
ingredients that support the skin barrier.
For example, ingredients such as ceramides,
hyaluronic acid, and panthenol
can help moisturize the skin.
And rather than thinking,
“More expensive products are always better,”
it’s more important to keep using
a product that suits your skin.
Instead of applying it once and stopping,
making a habit of gently applying an adequate amount
morning and night
can make a much bigger difference.

What if the dryness still continues?
If your skin remains very dry
even with home care,
it may be necessary
to check your skin condition once.
It may not be simple dryness,
but sensitive skin,
atopic skin,
or a condition where the skin barrier
has become significantly weakened.
In cases like this,
consulting a dermatologist
to accurately understand your current skin condition,
and, if needed,
combining moisturizing care with treatments
that strengthen the skin barrier
may also be helpful.
These days, there are also various care methods
that improve the skin’s internal moisture environment,
so there are more options than before.

Dry skin is not something that appears overnight,
and it is not a problem that can be solved in a day either.
But if you steadily change small habits,
your skin will definitely change.
If you pay a little more attention to your cleansing habits,
moisturizing habits, and living environment,
your skin can become much more comfortable.
Most of all,
the important thing is
a heart that cares for your skin.
Starting today, take another look
to see whether your skin is dry,
and take some time to replenish it with moisture.
When your skin feels comfortable,
you’ll notice that even your mood
gets better for no particular reason.
We hope that moisture,
instead of dryness,
becomes part of your daily life.



