Have you ever felt like your skin is being pulled taut, or when you move your face it’s almost like it’s cracking? You could be experiencing dry skin. It's insanely common and relatively easy to resolve. Some cases may require you to hop into your esthetician or derm office but for the most part you can improve the issue from home.
What Is Dry Skin?
When it comes to dry skin there are two things: you are either dehydrated or truly dry, yes they are different. When the skin is dry it is lacking in oils when it is dehydrated there is a lack of water present in the skin. The way to help improve dry skin would be to make sure the skin has the right amount of oils and to replenish anything it could have lost with an impaired barrier.
Things that cause dry skin include but are not limited to:
Harsh wind or weather
To much UV and water exposure
Over exfoliating
Heating and cooling systems
Antihistamines
Other products
How To Treat Dry Skin At Home
Method 1: Use gentle cleansers
Oil based,cream or milk cleansers work best for dry skin because they will not strip away the natural oils within the skin, this helps make sure that your skin is keeping the moisture it needs from the start. Other formulations could have too much exfoliation or a high pH level that leads to drying out the skin.
Method 2: Avoid prolonged exposure to water
When we sit in a bath, or take too long in the shower, especially if it is hot, the natural moisturizing factors within our skin can be stripped away. You want to make sure you are using lukewarm water at all times. Other ways we can prevent tight and dry feeling skin after a shower is to apply a moisturizer no more than three minutes after drying off, and if you are taking a bath try adding a bath soak and moisturize just like when you get out of the shower.
Method 4: Moisturize three times a day
Skin that is really rough in texture, almost cracked or presents signs of irritation should try and up the amount of times they apply their moisturizer. If you put moisturizer on your legs in the morning but they are dry and rough by the time you go to lunch it’s okay to put a little more on.
Method 5: Add a humidifier to your room
If you live somewhere with no or low humidity the air could be drying out your skin. Especially in the winter months adding some moisture back into your environment can go a long way to improve the moisture content in the skin too. This is especially helpful when you have dry skin that is also dehydrated.
Method 6: Change up your routine
As both the skin and weather changes it’s important to update your home care to address what's currently happening with your skin. Summer may call for a cream-gel moisturizer while you may want a thicker cream or balm for the colder weather to be more occlusive.
Additionally as we age our skin produces less oil along with other concerns. You may have a great moisturizer for when your skin is dry, but it might pill or affect the performance of other products. You should always let your esthetician or derm know when you notice a change in your skin and your skincare goals so that they can ensure you are on the right track.
Ingredients To Look For When Treating Dry Skin
The best product for dry skin is a moisturizer. You can add hyaluronic acid serums and hydrating mist if you would like but the game changing product would always be your moisturizer.
An ideal moisturizer would have a little bit of everything: humectants that can pull water into the skin, emollients that can add oils and leave the skin feeling softer and smoother, and finally occlusives to form a barrier on top of the skin to lock in moisture. The simpler the better, while there can be many activities you can find in moisturizer the best ingredient profiles will be simple and include anti inflammatories and ingredients that strengthen the skin.
Treatments To Look For When Treating Dry Skin
Dermaplaning
Dermaplaning is a great way to remove any compacted dead skin cells that would prevent your products from absorbing into the skin.
Custom facials
When a facial is tailored to the needs of your skin it’s next to impossible not to receive the desired results.
Enzymes and rubber mask
Treatments that use enzymes in place of a scrub or an alpha hydroxy acid can have a better and more tolerable result.
Rubber or jelly masks can be found in a spa and on retail counters. These masks create a thick barrier that are normally used to help serums and other ingredients absorb better, but are great on their own for dry skin.
What To Expect When Treating Dry Skin
It normally takes 1-2 weeks of using the right moisturizer for the signs of dry skin to be under control, however you can expect your skin to return to a rough and flaky state if you stop using your moisturizer or you strip the skin barrier with harsh products.
When To Make An Appointment For Dry Skin?
If you have any rashes, sores or you have sudden severe cases of dry skin often skin then it would be best to schedule an appointment with your dermatologist.
Takeaway
See, easy peasy! Dry skin can seem impossible to manage and irritating to deal with but once you remember to use the right cleanser and moisturizer, put a little moisture into your environment and keep out of hot water your struggles with dry skin will be a thing of the past.
