DRY SKIN CAN BE A REAL PROBLEM AS SEASONS CHANGE: WHAT HAPPENS TO THE SKIN BARRIER AND HOW TO RESTORE IT

We often think of winter as the hardest time for dry or dehydrated skin.

For most of Canada, this has been a particularly long and difficult winter. Now as we switch to the next season, dry skin can be even more of a challenge. Sudden temperature changes, wind and the use of heating systems reduce environmental humidity and disrupt the skin barrier function. As a result, many people experience dryness, roughness, a feeling of tightness, scaling, reduced elasticity, and increased susceptibility to irritation and external aggressions. These symptoms not only affect skin quality but also patients’ quality of life.

Xerosis is a condition characterized by an alteration of the epidermal barrier and a decreased ability to retain water. In addition to the previously mentioned factors, it may also be influenced by internal factors such as age, stress, pre-existing conditions or aggressive hygiene habits, among others. In other words, xerosis worsens in winter due to environmental factors, but it is also caused by a progressive deterioration of the skin barrier.

In this context, a truly effective solution should not be limited to superficial hydration but should focus on repairing the skin barrier, restoring stratum corneum cohesion, and providing sustained hydration.

WHAT HAPPENS TO OUR SKIN WHEN THE BARRIER FAILS?

When the hydrolipidic mantle becomes imbalanced and the skin barrier is weakened, the skin tends to dry out and become more sensitive. This results in:

• Increased transepidermal water loss (TEWL)

• Depletion of essential lipids

• Reduced corneocyte cohesion

• Increased susceptibility to irritation, redness, and pruritus

During season changes, the sudden swings from cold to hotter temperatures, combined with our heating and even air conditioning reduces environmental humidity. Thermal changes can alter the skin’s pH and promote water loss. For this reason, xerosis intensifies during this time of year and requires a comprehensive therapeutic approach.

WINTER AND DRY SKIN DO NOT HAVE TO GO HAND IN HAND

The Xeroskin medical protocol developed by IINNOAESTHETICS demonstrates, through clinical studies, that a combined strategy (in-clinic treatment + home maintenance) is effective, safe, well tolerated, and provides objective improvements in:

• Hydration and barrier function

• Skin elasticity and quality

• Comfort and well-being

THE MOST EFFECTIVE APPROACH: COMBINING IN-CLINIC TREATMENT + HOME CARE ROUTINE

A complete protocol for dry skin should include:

• Gentle and controlled exfoliation to remove excess stratum corneum and improve skin renewal.

• Intensive rehydration through transdermal delivery to restore the hydrolipidic mantle.

• Home maintenance with specific products that consolidate the skin barrier, enhance the results obtained in-clinic, and prevent relapse, providing daytime protection and intensive nighttime repair.

This protocol combines professional in-clinic treatment and home maintenance, two complementary and inseparable phases that act progressively to restore the hydrolipidic mantle, reduce transepidermal water loss, and improve skin quality.

This is how INNOAESTHETICS guarantees real and long-lasting results.

OUR CLINICAL RESULTS: THE XEROSKIN PROGRAM IMPROVES BARRIER FUNCTION, HYDRATION, AND ELASTICITY

In a study conducted in patients with dry and very dry skin, the efficacy and safety of the combined Xeroskin protocol were evaluated over a period of 3 months.

The protocol demonstrated a significant improvement in barrier function in the majority of patients, with a notable reduction in transepidermal water loss (TEWL), indicating an increased ability to retain hydration. Additionally, an increase in skin elasticity was observed, reflecting an improvement in the structural quality of the skin, with greater firmness and flexibility. In some cases, exceptional improvements were recorded, with particularly outstanding results in elasticity and TEWL reduction.

A key finding of the study is that the benefits are not limited to the in-clinic phase:

During the home maintenance month, results continued to improve, confirming that home care is essential to consolidate and prolong clinical outcomes. TEWL continued to decrease, and elasticity continued to increase even after professional treatment, demonstrating that the protocol has a cumulative effect and that maintenance is essential for long-lasting skin barrier repair.

WHAT DOES THE PROGRAM INCLUDE?

In-clinic:

1.- INNO-EXFO® Xeroskin Peel

Gentle exfoliation, specifically formulated for dry skin prepares the skin for the next step.

2.- INNO-TDS® Xeroskin ID

Intensive rehydration through transdermal therapy to restore the hydrolipidic mantle and improve skin elasticity.

At home:

INNO-DERMA® Xeroskin Day Cream

Deep daily hydration and protection against environmental aggressors.

INNO-DERMA® Xeroskin Night Cream

Intensive night moisturizer that deeply nourishes the skin and restores the lipid content of the skin barrier, promoting intensive overnight repair during rest.

INNO-DERMA® KeratoDerm

Fast-absorbing body cream that provides intense hydration and nourishment.