How To Treat Dry Skin On Your Face According To A Skin Expert
If your complexion is often rough, itchy or scaly, then you’ll need to understand how to treat dry skin on your face.
One of the real problems with dry skin is that it doesn’t always stop at just dryness, and can trigger other skin conditions. It’s always best to keep on top of dry skin before it causes sensitivity, redness or inflammation. If dry skin and its associated symptoms trigger stress in the deeper layers of the skin (called the dermis) it can even impact the production of collagen, the protein that keeps our skin plump and bouncy.
What Is Dry Skin?
Dry skin is one of the four key skin types alongside normal, oily and combination. It is characterised by a lack of natural oil (also known as sebum) in the skin. Without sufficient levels of sebum, skin is unable to keep itself soft and supple, which is why dry skin feels rough rather than smooth. A lack of oil also impacts the skin’s ability to hold onto moisture. Oil normally works like a seal to keep the good stuff, like water, in, and bad things, like pollution and other irritants, out. Think of it like a sieve versus a complete bowl. Dry skin can therefore become easily dehydrated and irritated.
Whether or not you have dry skin is determined by your genes, but the feel and appearance of this skin type can be exacerbated by things like very cold or very hot weather, high levels of pollution in your environment and using the wrong skincare.
How To Treat Dry Skin On Your Face
The good news for dry skin sufferers is that learning how to treat dry skin on your face is pretty straightforward. Try making the following adaptations to your routine depending on the season.
During Summer
Make SPF a Priority
There are two types of UV rays that reach the earth – UVA and UVB. UVA rays are longer, and present all year round. They can penetrate through glass and clouds and are responsible for the majority of skin ageing. UVB rays are shorter but stronger, and are most prominent during the summer months. It’s UVB rays that cause you to burn. Too much exposure to these rays can leave skin inflamed and dehydrated, which will make skin that’s already dry feel even more uncomfortable. Make sure you’re wearing a broad-spectrum sunscreen (that means it will protect from both UVA and UVB rays) with an SPF of at least 30. You’ll need to top up during the day too.
Don’t Strip Back Your Routine Too Far
Dry skin needs a little more help than other skin types to keep it comfortable, and although not everyone likes the feeling of heavier skincare during the summer months, cutting back on your routine can cause problems. Stay loyal to humectant serums, nourishing face oil and a good moisturiser, but swap for lightweight textures if needed. Think of it like wearing a few lighter spring layers as opposed to pulling on your big winter coat. The good news is that you might find that increased humidity in the air and warmer weather make your skin feel generally happier.
Drink Plenty Of Water
Skin can be dry (lacking in oil) and dehydrated (lacking in water) at the same time. This is especially common in warmer weather when our body and skin needs more water than normal to function at its best, so make sure you’re drinking the recommended six to eight glasses per day. Your skin is last in line for any fluids you drink, so if you’re not drinking enough you’ll likely notice it starts to feel tighter and look lacklustre, with fine lines more noticeable.
During the Winter
Avoid Washing Your Face With Hot Water
It’s never a good idea to wash your face with hot water or in the shower any time of year, but I know it’s especially tempting to crank up the temperature when it’s cold outside or when you’re feeling chilly first thing in the morning. Need a reason to rethink? Hot water damages the skin by disrupting the barrier and can lead to more dryness and sensitivity. If you already find that your skin feels uncomfortable when coming into contact with hot water then you may want to apply your moisturiser or facial oil before you jump in the shower. This will help to give the skin a layer of protection and can help to minimise the flushing that can be caused by hot showers or baths.
Add A Humidifier To Your Bedroom During Winter
Our skin is at its happiest when there’s moisture in the air, and the moment your central heating goes in the moisture levels in the atmosphere drop. It’s similar when you’re on a plane, as the humidity levels within the cabin are really low. When there’s limited humidity there’s less water vapour in the air which leaves skin feeling dry. High temperatures can hold more water vapour in the air, and therefore a steamy, post-shower bathroom is the perfect environment to apply your skincare. Do so when your skin is still slightly damp to really seal that hydration into the skin. I recommend having a humidifier in your bedroom (or office if you’re working from home), especially during the winter months to minimise the effects of cold weather and heating on your dry skin.
Give Your Skin An Extra Layer
We’re very good at adding an extra layer of clothing when it’s cold outside, but not so good at doing the same for our skin. Cold air holds less moisture, so that morning stroll to the station or bitterly cold dog walk can take its toll on your skin. Facial oils are a gorgeous way of wrapping up your skin for protection against the elements, as well as bringing instant comfort and nourishment. If you want to battle dehydration too, you could also add a hyaluronic acid serum underneath.
Don’t Rely On Thick Moisturisers
The moment your skin feels dry there’s a tendency to slather on a thick layer of moisturiser or level up to your heaviest cream. But really this is a bit like covering a crumbly sponge cake with a generous layer of icing, and the underlying issue is still there. The most important thing is ensuring that your entire skincare routine is effective and combines ceramides, humectants and emollients. Ceramides make up the mortar that holds our skin cells together and therefore play a really important role in creating a strong, resilient skin barrier. Humectants are moisture magnets and essential for delivering hydration to your complexion. Dry skin can lose water easily so it’s important to keep these levels topped up. Last but not least, emollients are lipids that will seal all the good stuff in, reinforce the skin barrier and prevent water loss.
Think About Your Clothing
Who doesn’t love cosying into a roll-neck or big thick jumper in the winter? But unfortunately, it’s not always the best move for your skin. The skin on your body has a third fewer oil glands than the skin on your cheeks, which means it craves hydration and moisture. Our skin reaches out to roll necks and scarves for moisture, which of course have nothing to give, and instead can actually absorb moisture from the skin making it drier. The skin on our necks is already delicate, and when starved of moisture the cells that make collagen become stressed, which means they are not able to make as much of this important protein either.
How To Treat Skin Around The Eyes
If you have dry skin around your eyes, all of the above advice will be helpful. The key consideration when thinking about how to treat dry skin around the eyes is that the skin is thinner, and therefore more sensitive. It also has fewer oil glands than the rest of your face, which is why dryness is more common here. Apply products sparingly and gently to avoid damaging or irritating this delicate area. Also, think carefully about eye makeup removal. Not all cleansers are suitable for use around the eye, especially if they contain exfoliating enzymes or acids. Check the back of the packaging if you’re unsure. A gentle cream cleanser or eye makeup solution that’s designed especially for this area are the kindest options.
Does Dry Skin Cause Acne?
Want to know if dry skin causes acne? The simple answer is that it shouldn’t, but there is some crossover between the two skin concerns. If you have dry skin, you’re more likely to use heavier skincare to soothe this, which can in some cases block your pores and lead to breakouts. If you have recently added a new product to your routine and are finding you’re getting blemishes as a result, try using more sparingly or less often until your skin regains its balance. Acne can also be driven by hormones, especially around your teenage years, during pregnancy or around the menopause, which can cause even naturally dry skin to develop breakouts.
You may also be confusing dry skin with dehydrated skin. As a skin type, oily skin has plenty of sebum, but can still be lacking in water, meaning skin can be oily and dehydrated all at once. If your skin feels tight or has lost its radiance, look closely at the skincare you’re using. Is your cleanser too harsh, and potentially stripping moisture from your skin? Are you using a humectant like hyaluronic acid to maintain hydration in the skin? Do you always apply moisturiser? Considering the answers may hold the clue as to why you are experiencing acne alongside dehydration. It’s tempting to throw the kitchen sink at skin that’s breaking out, but often treating it with kind, gentle skincare is the best option. If your acne is persistent and knocking your confidence, visit your GP to discuss other treatment options.
Thank You For Reading
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Bye for now,
Fiona x
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