Seasons change and with it, your skin’s condition. Lucky for you if you’re one of those who only have seasonal dry skin. But if your skin is perpetually dry, then it can be frustrating indeed. We imagine it can be tough to deal with when your skin is as dry as the dessert. It can feel rough, flaky, and at times maybe even itchy and inflamed.
Even if you don’t suffer from dry skin, it’s good to know how to combat it because dryness can also become more apparent with age. Knowing how to take care of dry skin is vital now if you want to preserve your skin’s condition.
We’re going to dive into our tips on how to combat dry, itchy skin.
Check if You Have Dry Skin
Any skin care routine, regardless if you have dry, oily, or combination skin types would only work if it is geared for that specific skin type. It means if you use a product made for those with oily or combination skin, you won’t achieve the desired effect. This is because some ingredients may not be good for dry skin and will only make it worse. Knowing if you have a dry skin type is just the beginning of combating it.
First, determine if you indeed have a dry skin type. Ask yourself if your skin feels tight and dry. Does your skin tend to itch, peel, or even flake? If so, then you’ve got dry skin. Dry skin means your skin loses more water than it retains. It also means your skin rarely produces oil. Lots of factors can affect our skin’s condition - from the products we use to some of our habits. People may also experience dry skin at some point in their lives, particularly during the winter season. But if your dry skin is recurring, then it can be a problem.
Keep Your Routine Simple
In picking out skin care products, keep in mind to choose the most basic, gentle formulas with no toxic ingredients. Sometimes dry skin is also caused by over-exfoliation or reliance on drying ingredients like salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide. Try to avoid alcohols, parabens, and fragrances in your products. These could exacerbate your already dry skin and worsen your skin’s condition. Exposure to these products could also cause your skin to itch.
When it comes to building your skin care routine, we recommend keeping it simple. The goal is to hydrate skin and restore your moisture barrier. We developed our Restoring Facial Balm specifically to help restore your skin’s natural moisture barrier. Once you’ve achieved that you can work your way from there. Begin with a double cleanse first by oil cleansing with our Purifying Gel Cleanser. It removes makeup, dirt, and grime without stripping your skin’s natural oils. Follow it up with a gentle cleanser then apply a hydrating toner, serum, and moisturizer.
Look for Hydrating and Moisturizing Ingredients
Your skin care products should contain ingredients that provide moisture and hydration to your skin. It prevents your skin from feeling dry and soothes itching and irritation so your skin feels supple, soft, and plump. Ideally, it is best if you can find a product that has humectant, emollient, and occlusive properties for optimum skin hydration and protection. Humectants attract water to the skin, emollients soften the skin and restores your skin’s barrier function to prevent moisture loss. Occlusives don’t necessarily provide any hydration but they lock in moisture by forming a film over your skin.
Ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin work wonders in hydrating dry skin. We also love how they are gentle and non-sticky, which lessens the chances of irritation. Ceramides are a great example of an emollient. While shea butter, jojoba oil, and even good old petroleum jelly fall under occlusives. Take care to look for products that contain these ingredients.
Re-evaluate Some of Your Habits
Skin care is also self-care. It’s not just about the products you use but the habits we make. You may not realize it but some habits can be damaging if you have dry skin. For example, taking hot showers or baths may seem soothing. But trust us when we say it can worsen dry skin because it strips the skin’s natural oils. While you’re at, try to limit the amount of time you spend showering or bathing. Spending too long in the shower can also dry out your skin even more. It goes without saying that if your face needs to moisturize, so does your body. Take care of it by applying lotion after showering.
Learn to listen to your skin and adjust your skincare routine accordingly. Your skincare doesn’t have to be rigid all year round. Don’t forget that the seasons change, so your skincare routine should also change as well. Revive your skin by switching up your skincare routine, especially during the winter and summer months. It can be as simple as opting for a lighter moisturizer in the summer and a thicker one in the winter. It is about being attuned to what your skin needs so the products will work better. Trust us, your skin will thank you for it.
Final Thoughts
Taking care of dry skin involves serious moisture and hydration. It also entails using gentle formulas that won’t trigger allergic or adverse reactions. Remember, skin care should be holistic. It is not enough to focus on applying the right skin care products. We should also take care to form healthy habits that won’t exacerbate dry skin.