Having dry skin means that you’re most likely used to your skin feeling tight, rough and parched. Follow our guidelines to help soothe, nourish and nurture your skin.
DO
- Cleanse your face with a soap-free cleanser. Harsh chemicals in soap can strip away the natural moisturizing oils in your skin, which in turn cause dryness, irritation, and inflammation.
- Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize! Moisturizers rehydrate the top layer of skin (the epidermis) and seal in the moisture. There are three types of moisturizers:
- Emollients – These are oil-based moisturizers that rebuild the lost lipids in your skin. They hydrate, protect and smooth your dry skin.
- Humectants – These extract moisture (water) from the environment and seal it inside your skin.
- Occlusives – These moisturizers act as a physical barrier to prevent water loss. These are either wax, silicone, or oil-based, with a very thick consistency.
- Use an ointment or cream rather than a lotion. Creams are thicker than lotions and therefore provide a better barrier, keeping skin more hydrated.
- Choose a cream that contains one or more of the following ingredients:
- Jojoba oil
- Dimethicone
- Glycerin
- Hyaluronic acid
- Lactic acid
- Lanolin
- Mineral oil
- Petrolatum
- Shea butter
- Ceramides
- Use only fragrance-free skincare products.cDermatologists recommend using products specifically labeled “fragrance-free” and not “unfragranced”.
DON’T
- Don’t use skincare products that contain any of the following (6):
- Alcohol
- Alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA)
- Fragrance, including deodorant soaps
- Retinoids
Avoiding these products altogether will help your skin retain its natural oils.
- Don’t use hot water – it removes the natural oils from your face faster than warm or lukewarm water.
- Don’t rub your face dry after cleansing. Rubbing can cause abrasion to your skin, which can lead to irritation and inflammation. Rather pat or blot to dry the skin.
- Don’t use antibacterial cleansers, which can be drying.
- Don’t use skincare products that contain salicylic or glycolic acid, as these are known to reduce oily skin and could be too harsh for skin already lacking oil.
Take care of your dry skin and it’ll take care of you!
References:
https://www.webmd.com/beauty/ss/slideshow-cleaning-dry-skin
https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/9-ways-to-banish-dry-skin
https://www.webmd.com/beauty/ss/slideshow-cleaning-dry-skin
https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-basics/dry/dermatologists-tips-relieve-dry-skin
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8675746/
https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-basics/dry/dermatologists-tips-relieve-dry-skin
https://www.webmd.com/beauty/ss/slideshow-skincare-routine
https://www.webmd.com/beauty/ss/slideshow-cleaning-dry-skin
https://www.webmd.com/beauty/features/expert-answers-on-dry-skin
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321090
