Some may think that having dry skin is better than having oily skin, but the truth is, having dry skin can have disadvantages too. This skin type makes the skin or the face look and feel rough, flaky, and scaly, which can also lead your skin to appear old or more wrinkled. Ultimately, it’s not easy to have dehydrated skin since it tends to leave a tight feeling and develop cracks in the outer layer of the skin. That’s why like any other skin type, it’s essential to look for the right skincare products as well as a skincare routine that you can follow to keep your dry skin from causing more problems.
What Causes Dry Skin?
Dry skin is experienced when there is a lack of water from the outer skin, and these are some of the causes:
- Excessive washing
- Using harsh soaps and detergents
- Extreme temperatures or high heat
- Living in a cold, dry environment (low temperatures and humidity levels)
- Medical treatments
- Other skin conditions (eczema, psoriasis)
Now that we did a quick rundown of the causes, here are the steps to build the best skincare routine for dry skin:
Best Morning Skincare Routine for Dry Skin
1. Cleansing
Your skincare routine should start with cleansing as it helps deeply cleanse your skin and remove impurities, excess makeup, dirt, dead skin cells, oils, and other pollutants that can potentially clog your pores. Use a gentle cleanser to wash your face. Avoid foaming cleansers because their lathering agents tend to dry the skin even more. So instead, you should use cream-based cleansers because they help moisturize and hydrate dry skin without stripping off the natural oils of your skin.
2. Toner
The toner serves as a way to prep your skin for the next products you will be applying and balance the pH levels of the skin. If you have dry skin, opt for alcohol-free toners to avoid creating more dry patches on your face. Glycerin and hyaluronic acid are among the active ingredients in toners that are significantly suitable for people with dry skin types because they help hydrate and relieve dry skin while also improving the skin’s appearance.
Related: 4 Practical Tips to Choose the Best Skin Toner
3. Serum
It’s best to use a morning serum that helps to hydrate and at the same time protect your skin from the harmful rays of the sun. Serums are especially useful for people with dry skin because it helps reduce fine lines and wrinkles, brightens dull skin, lessens the appearance of dark spots, and improves the volume and moisture of the skin. Go for serums with active ingredients such as hyaluronic acid and vitamin C as they will not only hydrate the skin, but will also decrease the visibility of fine lines and wrinkles caused by having dry skin, making your face look brighter.
Take note that a serum is different from a moisturizer, so it should not be taken as one, particularly when you’re trying to address dry skin because they have different purposes, and each one of them can aid in improving dry skin.
Related: Serum vs. Moisturizer: What Do You Need to Know?
4. Moisturizer
Compared to serums, moisturizers have a thicker consistency, which is perfect for hydrating dry skin types. Avoid moisturizers that can clog your pores, so it is ideal to choose those that are non-comedogenic. If your face tends to look and feel dry most of the time, you should go for heavy moisturizers that contain ingredients such as glycerin and hyaluronic acid because they can aid in hydrating and locking in moisture on the skin.
5. Sunscreen
SPF protection is essential during the day no matter what skin type you have. Wearing sunscreen shouldn’t be left out because it protects the face from the effects of dry skin such as fine lines and wrinkles. See to it that you choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen that is SPF 30 or more, especially if you will be exposed to sunlight quite a lot during the day.
Related: 7 Reasons Why You Should Wear Sunscreen Everyday
Best Night Skincare Routine for Dry Skin
1. Cleansing
For your night skincare routine, you can use the same gentle cleanser you use in the morning. Make sure to avoid washing or showering with hot or cold water because it tends to dry the skin. Instead, lukewarm water is advisable since it’s neither hot nor cold, and is just right.
2. Toner
You can use your daytime toner during your nighttime skincare routine or you can choose to use a different toner during the night. Just see to it that the ingredients are safe and suitable for treating dry skin.
Here’s a list of some of the best treatments and ingredients for dry skin:
- Evening primrose oil
- Hyaluronic acid
- Glycerin
- Ceramides
- Cucumber extract
- Squalene
- Coconut oil
3. Serum
Your night skincare routine should be about repairing the skin. Retinol is a good ingredient that you can consider when looking for a night serum because it boosts cell turnover, which enhances the appearance of the skin. However, if you do choose to use retinol, keep in mind that this particular ingredient is strong, so it’s advisable to start using it gradually and allow your skin to slowly ease into retinol. Don’t overdo applying retinol to your skin as it can cause repercussions that may lead to drier, flakier, more sensitive skin. On nights that you won’t be using retinol on your face, you can use serums that are soothing and hydrating to treat dry skin.
Tip: When using retinol on the face, only squeeze a pea-sized amount. Take note that this pea-sized amount of retinol is what you will be using for the entire face — don’t add more because it can irritate your skin. Don’t use retinol every day. Again, start gradually. You can choose to apply it only 3 times a week with rest days in between, especially if it’s your first time adding retinol to your skin care. Apply moisturizer after you use retinol to keep your skin from drying.
4. Moisturizer
Lastly, don’t skip your moisturizer as it will lock in moisture, helping the skin to hydrate and repair throughout the night.
Extra Skin Care Tips for Dry Skin
- Make use of facial masks in your night skincare routine at least 3 times a week for added hydration.
- Apply moisturizer right after you take a bath or wash your face as this helps lock in moisture on your skin.
- Avoid skincare products that are harsh on the skin. Only go for gentle and fragrance-free products to keep your skin from further drying or getting irritated.
- If you live in cold places or you tend to stay longer in cold, air-conditioned rooms, using a humidifier will help prevent your skin from drying, itching, or feeling scaly. This is because a humidifier pulls back moisture into the air.
- Avoid very long showers as it can cause dry skin.
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