Having dry skin might be genetic - it might be your skin type. Or, you might have dry skin because you live in an area where the climate is very dry. Maybe you only have dry skin during the cold, dry winter. Perhaps you have a medical condition that causes you to have dry skin. Or maybe your skin gets dried out after bathing with harsh soaps. You may even have had a different skin type when you were younger, but your skin gets drier as you age. Believe it or not, even your diet can contribute to having dry skin.
I have dry skin. It's my skin type. It's probably genetic. And it really stinks to have dry, irritated skin. So, if you have dry skin too, I totally feel your pain.
No matter what the reason is for your dry skin, you want to be sure to care for it appropriately so you can achieve the best skin of your life!
In this post we will cover some effective tips to help you properly care for dry skin, so that you can keep your skin healthy, soft, and glowing all year round.
How Do You Know If You Have Dry Skin?
Dry skin often feels tight, and it might be more prone to showing lines and wrinkles. It often becomes itchy or easily irritated. Dry skin is often dull, rough, and maybe even flaky. Pores are almost non-visible in dry skin. Dry skin produces less oil than other skin types.
Try this if you think you might have dry skin:
Wash your face and then wait for 20 to 30 minutes before you apply any more products or do anything else in your skincare routine. If your skin starts to feel like it's slowly tightening and a little uncomfortable, you likely have dry skin.
And to be sure that your dry skin is not an indicator of a medical issue, always consult with your doctor.
What Causes Dry Skin?
Lots of different things can cause dry skin. If it's not being caused by a medical issue, some other common causes could be:
Most commonly, dry skin is caused by low humidity in the air. Surprisingly, no matter how much water you drink (and drinking water is helpful and important!), it's the humidity level around you that determines how dry your skin is.
What Can You Do To Help Keep Dry Skin Away?
Follow these tips to keep dry skin away:
Cleanse regularly, but do it gently. Wash your face twice daily with a gentle cleanser. Look for cleansers that can help repair your fragile skin barrier and that help to seal moisture in. I'm happy to help you find these ingredients in your products!
When bathing, also stick with gentle cleansers and avoid harsh soaps. It's typically best to use cleansers or soaps that are fragrance-, alcohol-, and dye-free, as all of these things can irritate dry skin.
When bathing, use warm (not hot!) water. Hot water can remove your skin's natural oils, which can quickly dry you out. In addition to using lukewarm water, make sure to limit baths and showers to no more than 10 minutes if you can. And after bathing, make sure to gently pat (don't rub!) your skin dry.
Moisturize! It's best to apply moisturizer to your body within 3 minutes of leaving the bath or shower. For best results, put moisturizer on your body while your skin is still a bit damp. For dry skin, look for and use a thick, hydrating body moisturizer. Look for ceramides in the ingredients list - these will help your skin to lock in moisture. Ointments and creams tend to be thicker and more effective for dry skin than thinner lotions.
For your face, find yourself a gentle, emollient moisturizer. Emollients are great for softening and soothing skin. Try to stay away from a facial moisturizer that has emulsifiers (emulsifiers are ingredients that allow certain products to mix that wouldn't normally mix - like oil and water). Emulsifiers can lower the ability of your skin's fragile moisture barrier to defend itself.
Again, I'm always happy to help you look at ingredients lists!
Moisturize your body throughout the day when needed, especially after washing your hands or bathing.
Consider adding in a hydrating facial serum. Serums tend to be thinner and lighter in texture than thick, creamy moisturizers, but serums pack a punch! They have potent ingredients that can be very beneficial to your skincare routine.
For dry skin, consider adding in a facial serum that provides you with intense hydration. These are especially helpful to add to your routine in the dry, cold winter months.
Use a humidifier. Central heating and air in your home can make the air very dry. Using a humidifier regularly can help to add some much-needed moisture to the air around you.
Don't forget about your lips! Your lips don't have any oil glands, so they can dry out very quickly - especially when you lick them. Don't lick them! Licking your lips only causes them to dry out even faster.
Use lip balms, ointments, or lip serums on a regular basis, or anytime your lips feel dry. Find one that you like and that you will actually use. Look for products with peptides or antioxidants that will help to build your lips' natural moisture barrier. Products with dimethicone can help to seal and prevent cracks and splits in your lips.
Need help looking at ingredients? Ask me!
Protect your skin with an SPF. You're going to hear me say this. A LOT. If there is ONE thing to do for your skin, this is it.
Sun damage can be a major cause of dry skin. And you can help to prevent sun damage by wearing sunscreen EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. Experts recommend that you use a broad spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30. Try to seek shade and stay out of the sun when possible.
Look for SPF in your lip balms as well!
In Closing
Dry skin can be a bummer. It can be irritating, and sometimes painful. But it doesn't always have to be that way. Following the tips above can be tremendously helpful for soothing (AND keeping away!) dry skin.
And whenever you are really struggling with your skin, please remember to seek help from your dermatologist!
I'd love to share my favorite products with you. Remember, I suffer from dry skin, too. It's my skin type, unfortunately for me. I am always here to help you.
I promise to do my best to answer any questions that you might have about your skin. Click below to connect with me!
1 Response to "How To Care For Dry Skin"
Thanks.