Do you moisturize regularly and still feel like your skin is overly dry? As frustrating as this may be, it's a pretty common skin challenge. Luckily, there are a few easy ways to revise dryness and dullness thanks to your skincare regimen.
First, it’s important to know your skin type. Is it oily, dry, sensitive, combination, or balanced? Knowing your skin type helps you build a skincare regimen that delivers the most benefits and visible results.
To combat dry skin specifically, you might wonder if your skin needs more hydration or more moisture. And if so, should you be using a face oil, moisturizer, or both? (link to blog)
Here are the most common reasons you may be experiencing dry, flaky skin and how you can correct each to achieve a healthier, more youthful-looking complexion.
#1 Harsh Cleansers and Overwashing
We understand how great a clean, fresh face feels at the end of a long day. However, using cleansers on your skin that contain harsh ingredients like isopropyl alcohols and sulfates can do more harm than good. If the cleansers you use are free of these ingredients and your skin still feels tight or sensitive after washing, you may be overwashing it. Overwashing your skin can damage its natural moisture barrier and cause chronic dryness and irritation.
#2 You’re Not Exfoliating Enough
Your skin comes in contact with a lot of environmental aggressors and irritants throughout the day. As a result, dead skin cells, bacteria, and pollution can accumulate on the surface of your skin over time, causing it to become dry and flaky. Exfoliating your skin regularly can remove these irritants and improve the texture of your skin. We recommend exfoliating twice a week with ExfoliKate™ Intensive to clear dead surface skin cells. If skin is sensitive, try the Kate Somerville Liquid ExfoliKate™ instead. Free from a physical exfoliant, it’s gentle enough for daily use and clinically proven to visibly smooth texture and improve the look of pores.
#3 You're Not Getting Enough Water
Water is good for you in so many ways, one of which is the health of your skin. Dehydrated skin often lacks water, whereas dry skin lacks sebum (a natural and healthy oil produced by your skin).1 Drinking more water throughout the day and adding a hydration step to your morning and evening skincare regimen can help plump skin with essential hydration that plumps and smooths.
#4 It's the Wrong Time to Moisturize
When it comes to moisturizing, you should do it twice a day: once in the morning and once at night at the end of your skincare routine (before SPF and makeup in the morning). Your skin regenerates and restores itself as you sleep, so applying moisturizer at night can help boost this process. In the morning, begin your skincare routine by washing your face. End your AM routine with a moisturizer (again, before SPF and makeup). A gentle moisturizer like the Goat Milk Moisturizing Cream will act as a seal and keep the rest of your products and serums in place.
#5 Medications Vs. Medical Treatment Side Effects
Changes made to your body can quickly affect the health of your skin—including starting new medications or undergoing medical procedures. Dry skin can be a side effect of these changes. Some of the most common medicines that may cause dry skin include:
● retinoids
● benzoyl peroxide
● diuretics
● birth control
● topical steroids
#6 Cold, Dry, Harsh Climates
Living in a cold climate can be rough on your skin. Dry air and cold weather can dehydrate skin by drawing moisture away from it. Additionally, hot environments can also cause dryness due to prolonged exposure to the sun.
#7 Ethnicity and Genetics
Ethnicity and genetics often play a role in your skin's hydration levels, with some people being more prone to having dry skin than others. While genetics can contribute to your dry skin's inability to create enough sebum, external stressors and irritants are the culprit for dehydrated skin.
#8 Too Hot, Over Chlorinated Water
If you want hydrated skin, steer clear of hot water. Overly hot showers or baths can damage skin's protective barrier by stripping it of natural moisturizing oils. The chlorine in swimming pools produces the same effect and may leave your skin feeling dry and dehydrated.
#9 Your Moisturizer Has Lost Its Effectiveness
Did you know that, like food, skincare products have an expiration date? Using a moisturizer past its expiration date can make it less effective and potentially irritate your skin. While most moisturizers have a long shelf life, you'll want to keep them away from heat and adequately sealed at all times.
#10 You’re Using The Wrong Moisturizer for Your Skin Type
Finding a moisturizer that best suits your skin type is the key to healthy-looking and hydrated skin. A heavy cream is best for people with dry skin whereas something lighter with soothing ingredients like the ceramides in DeliKate® Recovery Cream will provide instant and lasting relief for dehydrated skin.
Moisturizing Tips and Tricks
Maximize your moisturizer's effectiveness by learning how to apply it correctly. Here are a few tips to help you get the most out of your favorite moisturizing cream.
Avoid Using Too Much Moisturizer
Eager to get rid of dry patches and dry skin? While more moisturizer may seem like the solution, using too much can aggravate existing issues like blackheads and clogged pores.2 Instead of overusing it, apply a thin, even layer of moisturizer to your face or opt for a more suitable moisturizer for your skin type.
Moisturize After Bathing
Want to keep your skin feeling as hydrated as it does after bathing? Moisturize! Moisturizers work by trapping moisture within skin, making them the perfect skincare ingredient to use right after bathing.
Choose a Hydrating Toner
Boost your skin's hydration by using a toner before applying moisturizer. Toners help cleanse your skin and prepare it for the rest of the ingredients in your regimen. So first, clean your skin with a gentle cleanser like the Kate Somerville Gentle Daily Wash. Then apply a toner before your moisturizer.
Add a Hydrating Serum to Your Routine
If you still feel like your skin lacks hydration, then it may be time to consider using a hydration product like DermalQuench Liquid Lift™ or a serum like Kx Active Concentrates Squalane + Hyaluronic Serum. By operating like a sponge, they draw moisture deep into your pores so that skin feels hydrated and comfortable.
Many factors contribute to dry skin. If you're moisturizing your skin daily and still find yourself asking, "why is my face so dry even when I moisturize?", review this list to determine the cause of your skin's irritation. From chlorinated water to over-moisturizing, you may discover that a simple switch in your daily routine is all that's needed to help restore your skin's moisture levels.
Sources:
1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4529263/
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5849435/
