Potential skincare practices causing facial dryness, explained with strategies to prevent them.
When it comes to parched skin, there are some bad habits that could be secretly sabotaging your glowing complexion. Here's the lowdown on seven skincare slip-ups you might not have realized are drying out your skin, and how to rectify them.
1. Mismatched cleanser game
You've probably given your cleanser little thought before, but not using the correct one for your skin type can have detrimental effects. As Dr. Christine Hall explains, foaming cleansers strip your skin of its natural oils, which is fine for those with oilier or acne-prone skin, but drastic for dry skin types, causing tightness and shininess. Switch to a gentle, non-foaming, cream-based cleanser for a more hydrating cleansing experience.
2. Dated skincare products
Those faithful face serums you've been loyal to for years might no longer serve your skin as well as they used to. As we age, our skin changes, and formulations that worked in your 30s and 40s may no longer cut it in your 50s and 60s. With age, our skin produces less sebum and is more susceptible to dryness. Dr. Hall suggests focusing more on nourishing and hydrating products in your routine to combat this.
3. Wrong moisturiser weight
Think a cooling gel face moisturiser will suffice for dry skin? Think again. For dry skin types, it's crucial to opt for richer, thicker creams to fully hydrate and repair the skin barrier. Look for moisturizers with lipids and ceramides for the best results.
4. Over-aggressive exfoliators
AHAs and BHAs are fantastic when it comes to skin exfoliation, but they can be too harsh for sensitive skin, leading to a disrupted skin barrier, irritation, and dryness. PHAs, on the other hand, are a gentler alternative, exfoliating while offering antioxidant and hydrating benefits.
5. Skimp on hyaluronic acid and beta glucan
Hydrating powerhouses hyaluronic acid and beta glucan will help quench your skin's thirst. While hyaluronic acid is well-known, beta glucan is less publicized but mightier. Beta glucan is 20% more hydrating than hyaluronic acid and has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and barrier-restoring properties.
6. Retinol mishaps
Retinol can be a game-changer for the skin, but it comes with its own set of rules: apply only to very dry skin, avoid sensitive areas, slowly increase usage, and always apply a hydrating serum or moisturizer before and after use. If irritation persists, use the "sandwich technique" - apply a hydrating layer, then retinol, and then another hydrating layer.
7. Ignore face oils
Face oils add an extra layer of hydration by creating a "cling film" barrier over your skin, sealing in the benefits of your skincare routine. Use them as the final step in your routine, following your moisturizer, to give your skin that extra boost of hydration.
Top picks for tending to dry skin:
- La Roche-Posay Toleraine Dermo Cleanser: Milky, gentle formula for dry, sensitive skin.
- The INKEY List Bio-Active Ceramide Moisturiser: Pocket-friendly, rich moisturizer suitable for dry skin.
- Erborian Centella Cream: Hydrates, soothes, and strengthens the skin barrier, with both hyaluronic acid and beta glucan.
- Dr.Jart+ Dermask Soothing Hydra Solution Sheet Mask: Deep hydration on the go, perfect for quarantine skincare.
- Byoma Recovery Oil: Enhances hydration while strengthening and nourishing the skin barrier.
- If you're using a foaming cleanser for your dry skin, it might be stripping your skin of its essential oils, leading to tightness and shine. Opting for a gentle, non-foaming, cream-based cleanser can provide a more hydrating cleansing experience.
- As we age, our faithful face serums might no longer cater to our skin's changing needs. Focusing more on nourishing and hydrating products can help combat dryness that comes with aging.
- For a dry skin type, a cooling gel face moisturizer might not be sufficient. It's crucial to use richer, thicker creams to provide the needed hydration and repair for the skin barrier.
- Overuse of AHAs and BHAs on sensitive skin can lead to a disrupted skin barrier, irritation, and dryness. PHAs, with their gentle exfoliating properties and added hydrating and antioxidant benefits, may be a more suitable option for sensitive skin types.
- Hydrating powerhouses like hyaluronic acid and beta glucan can help quench dry skin's thirst, with beta glucan being 20% more hydrating than hyaluronic acid.
- When using retinol, follow the rules: apply it only to dry skin, avoid sensitive areas, gradually increase usage, and always apply a hydrating serum or moisturizer before and after use. If irritation persists, the "sandwich technique" (applying a hydrating layer, then retinol, and then another hydrating layer) can help.
- Face oils offer an extra layer of hydration by creating a protective barrier over the skin, sealing in the benefits of your skincare routine. They can be used as a final step in your routine, following your moisturizer, for added hydration.
Some top picks for dry skin include:- La Roche-Posay Toleraine Dermo Cleanser (milky, gentle formula for dry, sensitive skin)- The INKEY List Bio-Active Ceramide Moisturiser (a rich, pocket-friendly moisturizer for dry skin)- Erborian Centella Cream (hydrates, soothes, and strengthens the skin barrier, with both hyaluronic acid and beta glucan)- Dr.Jart+ Dermask Soothing Hydra Solution Sheet Mask (deep hydration on the go, perfect for quarantine skincare)- Byoma Recovery Oil (enhances hydration while strengthening and nourishing the skin barrier)
