Hello. This is MY Beauty Clinic.

Today, we’ll discuss hydration care as many people struggle with dryness during winter.

Why is hydration important?

Dryness is said to be a major cause of skin troubles.

Let’s examine how dryness affects the skin.

Four causes of dryness

　① Dry air

　　　During autumn and winter, humidity drops, leading to water loss from the skin and causing dryness.

　　Additionally, regardless of outdoor conditions, using air conditioning or heating reduces humidity, drying out the skin.

　② UV rays

　　　The skin’s surface has a protective film due to moisture. UV rays oxidize this film, making it vulnerable to moisture evaporation. Moreover, to protect itself from UV rays, the skin thickens its outer layer, making it harder to retain moisture.

　④ Damaging facial cleansing methods

　　　Using incorrect cleansing methods increases the risk of drying out the skin.

　　　・Applying facial cleanser without sufficient foam

　　　・Scrubbing too vigorously

　　　・Using hot water that strips away essential oils

　　　・Excessive frequency of washing

Effects of dryness on the skin

Skin dryness can lead to various issues in the skin barrier function, such as:

　　・Dry and flaky appearance, sometimes leading to flaking

　　・Increased sensitivity to various irritants (sensitive skin)

　　・Increased likelihood of itching and pain due to inflammation

　　・Difficulty in effectively shedding old skin cells, leading to pore inflammation, acne, and pimples

　　・Poor makeup adherence

Skin barrier function

The skin has a natural barrier function to protect itself.

In healthy skin, the outer “stratum corneum” stores moisture and acts as a barrier itself.

The moisture between cells in this stratum corneum is called “NMF: Natural Moisturizing Factor,” and it is the “intercellular lipids” that retain this NMF in the stratum corneum. The skin barrier consists of skin cells, NMF, and intercellular lipids. This barrier relies on a balance of moisture and oils; disruptions due to dryness can compromise its protective function.
1. Role of Moisturizers

What roles do moisturizers (such as toners, lotions, serums, etc.) play?

While the skin has its own moisturizing function, it sometimes needs supplementation through moisturizers.

Roles:

　1. Penetrate the stratum corneum to replenish moisture

　2. Absorb into hardened corneocytes to maintain softness

　3. Form a protective layer on the skin’s surface to prevent moisture evaporation

2. Roles of Each Moisturizer

・Toner: Provides ample hydration to the skin

The main component of toner is water, which replenishes moisture lacking on the skin surface.

Regardless of skin type, it’s important to use toner generously to saturate the stratum corneum with necessary moisture.

・Lotion: Maintains moisture and softens the skin

Lotion primarily consists of water, oil, and emulsifiers (surfactants) to mix these components.

Some products also contain “ceramides,” a type of intercellular lipid, which enhances moisturizing effects. Lotion contains more oil than toner, reducing moisture evaporation and maintaining high moisture retention. By continuously keeping the skin moisturized, it becomes more elastic and softer.

For oily skin, it’s important to adjust the amount applied, especially in areas prone to excessive sebum secretion, and blot excess oil with tissue after application. For dry skin, it’s recommended to follow with creams or gels for additional moisturization.

・Moisturizing Cream: Shields against dryness

Moisturizing creams contain abundant oils and highly effective beauty ingredients such as glycerin, hyaluronic acid, amino acids, collagen, and ceramides. These are highly nutritious for the skin. Individuals with sensitive skin should consider types specifically formulated for sensitivity or those containing medicinal ingredients.

Key Points for Proper Moisturizing Care!

・Points to Note for Moisturizing Care

　★Cleansing Tips

　・Use cleansing agents to remove makeup quickly.

　・Use lukewarm water for cleansing. The ideal temperature is around 32-34 degrees Celsius.

　・Apply facial cleanser with well-foamed bubbles without rubbing vigorously.

　・Rinse thoroughly to ensure no soap residue remains on the face.

　★Points to Consider for Moisturizing

　・Apply toner as soon as possible after cleansing. After washing, the skin loses moisture and becomes delicate.

　・Basic routine includes toner, lotion, and cream. Depending on the type, serums have different usage timings, so be sure to check the instructions.

　・Apply toner and lotion generously enough to avoid excessive stickiness. Reserve cream for targeted application.

　・If the skin still feels tight after application, increase the amount or apply layers.

　・Adjust the amount used on the T-zone based on observation.

　★Skincare Varies by Season

　　The degree of dryness varies by season, even for the same person, necessitating season-appropriate moisturizing care. Use high-moisturizing skincare products, especially during autumn and winter. Additionally, consider adding creams or serums to your regular routine for extra moisture. Even in spring and summer, when dryness may not seem prevalent, skincare tailored to the season remains essential.

　・Despite being early spring, the amount of ultraviolet rays is high, so sun protection (UV protection) is needed to prevent dryness from progressing.

　(Our clinic offers a variety of sunscreen creams.)

　・In summer, air conditioning often lowers humidity, necessitating frequent dryness prevention.

　★Moisturizing Care for Aging Concerns

　　Moisturizing care is essential throughout the year if aging causes skin dryness. Dryness prolongs the turnover cycle per instance, causing old keratin to accumulate and thicken, leading to hardened skin. Continuously use high-moisturizing basic skincare products to maintain skin health.

For those concerned about skin issues, it’s essential to reflect on daily life. Factors like stress, irregular diet, and lack of sleep delay skin recovery. Beyond skincare, maintaining a stress-free lifestyle is crucial after turning 30. Consistent moisturizing care helps prevent various skin problems. Even if you don’t notice significant dryness, continue diligent care to avoid accumulating damage to the skin.

★Moisturizing Creams Available at Our Clinic

For dry skin, we recommend the highly moisturizing “WiQo Cream.”

Additionally, we offer “Repair B Cream” and “Seberia,” which not only moisturize but also reduce inflammation simultaneously.

For more details, feel free to contact our clinic!

MY Beauty Clinic
4th Floor, RBM Ginza Building, 7-4-15 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
4 minutes walk from Ginza Station B9 Exit or C3 Exit
TEL: 03-4565-0107
Hours: 10:00 – 19:00 (including weekends and holidays)

Reservations accepted via WEB/LINE/Phone.

WEB Reservation: https://new.mybc.jp/en/contact/

LINE Reservation: https://page.line.me/114yxbtn