Dry facial skin can be an uncomfortable problem that manifests itself in tightness, flaking, and even redness. When facial skin is dry, it can lose its natural elasticity, become more prone to irritation, and require extra care to regain its softness and hydration. Given that the face is the most exposed part of the body, exposed to numerous external factors such as cold, wind, and sunlight, proper care for dry facial skin is essential to maintaining its health.
In this blog, we will explore the top 10 tips that can help you maintain hydrated and healthy skin. You will learn how to properly moisturize your skin, what are the key ingredients in skin care products, and how to adjust your daily habits to keep your skin hydrated and protected. Regardless of the season, these ten tips will help you make dry facial skin a thing of the past and your face will shine in its full beauty again.
1. Moisturize your skin regularly
Dry skin can lead to a variety of problems, including itching, flaking, redness, and tightness. When skin is well-hydrated, it feels soft, smooth, and supple. Hydration helps maintain the skin’s protective barrier, which prevents moisture loss and protects against external irritants and microorganisms.
Additional tips for keeping your skin hydrated:
- Sun protection: UV rays can dry out your skin and damage its barrier. Use a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) every day.
- Avoid hot showers: Hot water can strip your skin of its natural oils. Shower with lukewarm water and limit your shower time.
- Regular exfoliation: Gentle exfoliation once or twice a week helps remove dead skin cells and allows moisturizers to penetrate the skin better.
2. Use gentle cleansers
Skin naturally contains oils and lipids that help keep it hydrated and protected. Harsh cleansers can strip away these natural protective substances, leading to dryness and irritation, especially in people with dry skin. Using gentle products helps maintain moisture balance and prevents damage to the skin’s protective barrier.
Examples of gentle cleansers:
- Micellar waters: These waters contain micelles that gently remove dirt and makeup without the need to rub or rinse. They are ideal for all skin types, including dry and sensitive skin.
- Creamy cleansers: Creamy cleansers have a rich texture that helps hydrate the skin while removing impurities. They often contain hydrating and soothing ingredients.
- Cleansing oils: Cleansing oils are great for removing makeup and impurities without drying out the skin. They emulsify with water and rinse off easily, leaving the skin soft and hydrated.
3. Avoid hot showers
Hot water can temporarily relax and relieve stress, but it can also strip the skin of its natural oils that act as a protective barrier. When these natural oils are gone, skin becomes more susceptible to dryness, irritation, and damage. Too much exposure to hot water can further worsen dry skin, making it even drier and more prone to cracking.
Additional skin care tips for showering:
- Avoid excessive showering: If possible, limit your showering to once a day. Showering too often can dry out your skin, especially if you use hot water.
- Avoid direct exposure to hot water: When washing your face or hands, use lukewarm water to avoid drying out these areas.
- Regularly maintain indoor humidity: Dry air, especially during the winter when the heating is on, can further dry out your skin. Use humidifiers in rooms where you spend a lot of time.
4. Apply moisturizer after showering
After showering, your skin is damp, your pores are open, and your moisturizer can penetrate and work more effectively. This is the optimal time to apply moisturizer because moisture is locked into your skin, helping to keep it soft and hydrated throughout the day.
Additional tips for optimal hydration:
- Use hydrating masks: Use a hydrating face or body mask once a week to provide extra care and deep hydration.
- Seasonal adjustments: Adjust your skincare routine according to the season. In the winter, use richer creams that provide extra protection from cold, dry air, while in the summer, you can use lighter, faster-absorbing lotions.
- Moisturizing ingredients: Products with natural oils (e.g. coconut, olive, grapeseed oil) can provide long-lasting hydration and protection.
5. Nourish your skin at night
During the night, your skin undergoes a natural process of renewal and regeneration. While you sleep, your body boosts collagen production, repairs damaged cells, and increases blood flow, all of which contribute to healthier skin. Using a rich moisturizer at night can further support these processes, providing your skin with the care and hydration it needs.
Additional tips for optimal nighttime care:
- Sleep on silk pillowcases: Silk pillowcases are less irritating to the skin and help retain moisture.
- Maintain humidity levels: Use a humidifier in your bedroom to maintain optimal humidity levels in the air, which prevents your skin from drying out overnight.
- Hydrate from within: Drink enough water throughout the day to ensure your skin is hydrated from within.
6. Use oil-based products for intense hydration
Oils are rich in essential fatty acids, vitamins, and antioxidants that can provide deep hydration and care for dry skin. Oil solutions help lock in moisture, improving its elasticity and smoothness. Using oils can be especially beneficial for dry skin that needs extra care and protection.
Additional tips for using oils:
- Sensitivity testing: Before using an oil for the first time, do a patch test on a small area of skin to check for sensitivity and avoid possible allergic reactions.
- Seasonal adaptation: During the colder months, when skin is more prone to drying out, you can use richer oils like coconut. In the summer, you can opt for lighter oils like jojoba or almond oil.
- Oil storage: Store oils in a cool, dark place to maintain their beneficial properties and extend their shelf life.
7. Use creams with urea and glycerin
Urea and glycerin are powerful moisturizing ingredients that are often used in dry skin care products. They help retain moisture in the skin, improving its elasticity and texture. Creams containing these ingredients can provide intense and long-lasting hydration, which is essential for maintaining healthy and moisturized dry skin.
Additional tips for optimal hydration:
- Combination with other products: For extra care, use serums with hyaluronic acid or oil solutions before applying a cream with urea and glycerin.
- Sun protection: During the day, always use products with a sun protection factor (SPF) to protect your skin from harmful UV rays that can further dry out your skin.
- Hydrate from within: Drink plenty of water and maintain a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables to support skin hydration from within.
8. Avoid excessive use of soap
Traditional soaps can be extremely drying to the skin because they strip away the natural oils that protect and keep it moisturized. Using harsh soaps can worsen dry skin, making it more sensitive, prone to irritation and chapping. Instead, it is recommended to use mild shower gels or sulfate-free soaps that will gently cleanse the skin without stripping its natural oils.
Additional tips for dry skin care:
- Hydration from within: Drink enough water throughout the day to maintain optimal skin hydration.
- Humidity: Use a humidifier in your home, especially during the winter, to prevent dry air from drying out your skin.
9. Wear cotton clothing that allows your skin to breathe
Choosing the right clothes is key to caring for dry skin. Synthetic materials can cause irritation, trap moisture and sweat, and worsen dry skin. Cotton clothing, on the other hand, allows your skin to breathe, reduces friction and irritation, and helps maintain optimal moisture levels.
Additional tips for caring for dry skin with proper clothing:
- Dress in layers in winter: In winter, layering can help protect your skin from cold and dry air. Wear cotton layers closest to your skin, and outer layers made of warmer materials.
- Avoid tight clothing: Tight clothing can cause friction and irritation, worsening dry skin. Choose comfortable, loose-fitting clothing that allows you to move freely.
- Use moisturizers: Before getting dressed, apply moisturizer all over your body to further protect your skin and lock in moisture.
10. Stay Internally Hydrated with Proper Diet and Water
Internal hydration plays a key role in maintaining healthy, hydrated skin. Water is essential for many bodily functions, including maintaining optimal moisture levels in the skin, regulating body temperature, and eliminating toxins. Lack of adequate internal hydration can lead to dry skin, loss of elasticity, and the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Additional tips for staying internally hydrated:
- Follow your body’s cues: Listen to your body and drink water when you feel thirsty. This is nature’s way of regulating your fluid intake.
- Add fruits and vegetables to your diet: Include fruits and vegetables with a high water content in your diet to increase your water and nutrient intake.
- Use water as your primary beverage: Instead of sodas and sugar-laden juices, choose water as your primary beverage throughout the day.
La PIEL products for dry skin
Cream for dry hands and feet
A cream for extremely dry hands and feet that contains top-quality ingredients: ceramides, vitamin E, glycerin, panthenol, various oils and shea butter. Ingredients that will give your hands and feet perfect care and hydration, regenerate them and prevent the appearance of dry and rough skin. Click and find out more
Hand Cream
A rich and nourishing hand cream enriched with hyaluronic acid, Aloe Vera, green tea, witch hazel, glycerin and oils. It absorbs quickly and deeply nourishes the skin, leaving it soft and smooth. Click to learn more
Moisturizing and extremely nutritious face cream
Moisturizing and extremely nutritious day and night face cream for all skin types. The high-quality and advanced formula contains 6 active ingredients: niacinamide, peptides, ceramides, hyaluronan, retinol, collagen, which give facial skin freshness and elasticity, restore it, improve tone and texture. The combination of powerful ingredients makes the cream ideal for maintaining youthful skin in the twenties, and for mature skin it acts as an excellent anti-aging agent. Click and learn more
