How can I tell whether my skin is dry?
If your skin in dry, it may feel taut, itchy and rough to the touch. Redness, cracking and flaking are also signs of dry skin and an impaired skin barrier.
What are the biggest causes of dry skin?
Cold weather, harsh soaps and detergents, long hot baths and showers, skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis and medical conditions like an underactive thyroid are the biggest causes of dry skin.
What are some of best skin care ingredients to look out for if I have dry skin?
Ingredients like glycerin, urea, lactic acid and hyaluronic acid are known as humectants and help attract water to your skin. Lanolin or petrolatum are known as occlusive ingredients which create a seal to reduce transepidermal water loss.
Also look out for other skin soothing and smoothing agents like ceramides to repair your skin barrier.
What tips do you have for tackling dry skin?
- Moisturise twice daily or more often if needed. Tailor the product to your needs. Mild dryness can be treated with a lotion. Richer creams or ointments may be necessary for the driest areas.
- Avoid marathon sessions in the bath or shower and keep water lukewarm. Shut the door to trap humidity in the bathroom whilst you wash. Pat your skin dry with a soft towel afterwards and apply moisturiser whilst still a little damp.
- Avoid soaps and shower gels with fragrance or foaming agents. An emollient soap substitute is best if you have very dry skin or eczema.
- Try to use a timer so that your central heating comes on for a couple of hours in the evening and switches off again until morning. If you absolutely have to leave the heating on overnight, turn the thermostat down and aim for a temperature around 20 degrees Celsius. This should keep you warm enough without aggravating your skin too much.
Are there any extra steps you’d recommend adding into my facial skincare routine to combat dryness?
Use a very mild gel or cream cleanser for washing the face morning and evening and then layer a hydrating serum under your moisturiser to boost hydration further.
Should I exfoliate dry skin?
Use of a soft exfoliating glove or mitt in the shower once or twice a week to massage in a body wash containing lactic acid can help reduce rough or bumpy skin on the body known as keratosis pilaris. I would avoid face or body scrubs on very dry skin as it is likely to increase irritation and discomfort.
Are there any products/ingredients I should avoid if I have dry skin?
Heavily fragranced and foaming skincare products tend to dry skin out further. Alpha hydroxy acids, such as glycolic acid, and vitamin A creams, such as retinol, are probably best avoided in dry skin until it has been fully addressed.