Skin Care Routine for Dry Skin | Skin Care Plan for Healthy Skin

Overview | How to know if you have dry skin | Best skincare plan | Choosing the right products | Dos and don’ts for dry skin

Do you have dry skin? Well, I’m here to help you understand your skin type better. 

According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, having dry skin is common. It mainly occurs due to lack of moisture. It can also occur due to the overuse of moisturizer. You must be wondering how moisturization can leave the skin dry. It happens because moisturizers sometime prevent skin regeneration and stop the dead skin cells from shedding, leading to the built-up of dead cells that can leave the skin dry and irritated. Dry skin feels itchy and irritated, which can worsen after bathing and in cold, dry weather. If you have dry skin and do not treat it properly, the condition can make the skin flaky and sensitive to certain skincare products, making the skin intolerant and more sensitive.

This condition can occur due to other reasons, too. Some of the common causes behind dry skin include dry climate, frequent washing, frequent swimming, cold air, eczema, psoriasis, and hot air. If the condition has been persisting for a while, you need proper treatment to control it.  

Let’s delve into this subject in greater depth.  

How can you check if you have dry skin?

Understanding your skin type is the first step of taking care of it. The one thing you must know is that skin conditions can change over time, depending on the weather or your age. However, if your skin is constantly dry, it requires some attention. Dry skin occurs when your skin cannot produce the necessary amount of natural oil or when the skin renewal process lacks balance. 

If your skin is flaking or constantly rough, it can be a clear sign of having dry skin. For people with darker skin tones, a gray appearance on the skin can be a sign of dryness. Dry skin also appears dull, especially if the condition continues for a long time. The American Academy of Dermatology informs that there are many signs that can help determine whether you have dry skin. Some of them are:

• Dehydration – The lack of moisture in skin makes it dehydrated. If the skin is not properly hydrated, you may face some itchiness and develop clear fine lines.
• Rough texture – As I have already mentioned, flaking is a common result of having dry skin. If your skin starts flaking, that can make your skin texture rough.
• Cracks – If you have been suffering from dry skin for a while, it starts to shrink, leading to cracks in the skin. If your skin is too dry, the cracks can cause bleeding.
• Itching – Excessive dry skin causes itching. If you are suffering from it to the point that you feel the day-long need to itch, it is a sign of dry skin.
• Peeling – This is one of the most prominent signs of dry skin. This type of skin peels of easily and excessively. 
• Intolerant skin – Sometimes dry skin can become intolerant and reactive to skincare products such as creams.

If you have just realized that you have dry skin condition, there is no need to panic. I will tell you how to take special care of dry skin.

What is the best skincare plan for dry skin?

The purpose of a skincare routine is to take care of its health. The best skincare routine for dry skin consists of three primary steps: cleansing or exfoliating your skin, toning, and moisturizing.

• Cleansing – This is the process of thoroughly cleaning your skin. You must cleanse your face at least twice a day, especially right after returning home. Ensure to wash off the dirt and makeup from the skin before you proceed to the next step. 
• Exfoliation – Even if the skin is dry, choosing a high-quality exfoliating agent can help to remove dry skin and stimulate new skin cells. This process helps to hydrate the skin and get it ready to absorb the skincare products better. The exfoliating product must have mild scrub and ingredients like Lactic acid or Mandelic acid to achieve the best result.
• Toner – Toner offers your skin nourishment and make sure that other skincare products can be easily absorbed into the skin. You must apply the toner after cleaning your face and before applying anything else. The toner has to be alcohol-free and contain aloe vera or thermal spring water that can hydrate the skin better.
• Moisturizing – According to Harvard Health Publishing, the most important treatment for a dry skin is to keep it moist. Moisturizers hydrate the skin and make it soft, relieving you from irritations. Regular moisturization of dry skin can keep the condition away and make your skin appear youthful. However, always be careful about choosing your moisturizer. Modern moisturizers with recovery ingredients like peptides or growth factors can help to hydrate the skin better compared to a heavy moisturizer.

How to choose the right skincare products for dry skin?

Dry skin is a result of your glands not producing enough natural oils. This condition can be irritating as it causes itching, peeling, and even cracks. As I have already mentioned, you can take care of dry skin by following a suitable care routine. To do so, choosing the right skincare products is essential. From your cleansing face wash to moisturizer, they all are available in a variety of forms for different skin types.

When buying skincare products, be careful about choosing the ones formulated for a dry skin. Let’s go through a helpful guide in this regard: 

• Facewash – Before you can start your skincare routine, it is always necessary to clean your face with water and a cleansing product such as face wash. Dry skin needs softening; hence, your face wash has to be in lotion or cream form. The right face wash for dry skin must contain ingredients like shea butter, lactic acid, and glycerin, which can hydrate the skin while cleaning it. Avoid buying Salicylic acid and Benzoyl-based face washes.
• Toner – While looking for a toner, be careful about the ingredients it contains. Toners offer your skin nourishment and prepare it to absorb the other skincare products more easily. The toner should contain vitamin C and E, beta and alpha hydroxy acids, and hyaluronic acid, which make your skin healthier. Ingredients like green tea extracts and rose water are also helpful for soothing the skin. A toner with exfoliating properties is also helpful for dry skin, but using it more than once in every couple of days can be harmful. Also, avoid toners which have alcohol in them. Look for a moisturizer with ingredients such as peptides and ingredients that help to prepare the skin barrier rather than clog up the skin.
• Moisturizer – There is no better treatment for dry skin than properly moisturizing it. However, not all types of moisturizing product are suitable for dry skin. You need a soft cream-type moisturizer that is oil-based. 
• Day Cream – For daytime uses, a facial cream for dry skin has to include sunscreen. You can apply it on the areas of the skin that are exposed to sun to guard against UV rays. It must also contain antioxidant properties to protect you against harmful external elements like pollution and dirt.  
• Night Cream – The purpose of a night cream is to help your skin cells to regenerate overnight, thereby treating any damage done to it during the day. That is why a night cream with retinol will serve you the best. The cream also improves moisturization.
• Sunscreen – Whether you have dry skin or any other skin type, using a sunscreen during the day is important. Direct exposure to the sunrays damages your skin, which is even more dangerous for people with preexisting condition such as dryness. A sunscreen product with wide-range SPF of 30 or more can protect your skin effectively.

What mistakes to avoid while caring for dry skin?

I would like you to note that caring for your skin requires patience and following the right protocols. There are certain skincare related dos and don’ts that you should be aware of. These are:

• Do not let your skin dehydrate. Whenever you have the opportunity, hydrate and drink plenty of water
• Exfoliate your dry skin to prevent breakouts. Doing it once every week to open up the clogged pores is sufficient
• Do not use skincare products containing alcohol. This ingredient can make the dry skin condition even worse
• Use face oils to fight off dryness. They moisturize and nourish your skin, while also fighting off flakiness. However, avoid using facial oils if you live in a humid environment
• Do not used powder-based makeup products if you have dry skin, as it makes your face appear patchy. Liquid-based products are best for your makeup needs
• Use lukewarm water for washing your face and showering. It is effective for keeping the dry skin hydrated for a longer period

What are some home remedies for dry skin?

• Petroleum jelly – Also known as mineral oil, this product is effective on dry skin, especially on older adults. The jelly creates a protective layer on your skin, locking the moisture under it. This way, your skin stays hydrated for a longer period. However, it is not recommended to use it too often. The product works even better for dry lips. 
• Coconut oil – This is one of the best products to use on a dry skin because of its emollient properties. The natural fatty acids presented in coconut oil smoothens the skin and keeps it hydrated. You can apply coconut oil directly on your skin every day to get the best result. You can also use newer oils like Sea Buckthorn or Argan as they also have anti-ageing benefits, offering superior results.
• Using a humidifier – Living in a humid condition can be helpful for anyone with dry skin. Installing a humidifier in your home will ensure moist skin at all times.
• Oatmeal baths – If dry skin is causing you itching and irritation, opting for an oatmeal bath can help soothe your skin. To prepare oatmeal soap, make oatmeal powder by grinding it and mixing it with warm water. The anti-inflammatory quality and antioxidants of the oatmeal will provide comfort to your dry skin.    

Closing thoughts

Dry skin is not an uncommon disorder; but if it persists, the condition can lead to severe irritation, make your skin dull, and turn it intolerant to several skincare products. At my clinic, I first determine whether you indeed have dry skin or not. Based on my evaluation, I offer targeted methods to treat dry skin. Dry skin majorly occurs due to following a wrong skincare routine.  The right routine can help with skin transformation and renewal within four to six weeks, helping to treat the skin dryness and allow healthy skin to regenerate. The skin cycle, for new skin cells generation, takes four to six weeks. So, it is recommended that you follow the guidance of an experienced dermatologist to achieve the desired result. By following an effective skincare routine, you can go about your day feeling fresh and confident. 

References

1. Johns Hopkins Medicine: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/dry-skin
2. American Academy of Dermatology: https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/a-z/dry-skin-symptoms
3. Harvard Health Publishing: https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/9-ways-to-banish-dry-skin