Dry skin, especially on your face, can be uncomfortable and sometimes hard to avoid. Dry, windy weather, especially combined with the cold of winter, can wreak havoc on your face by drying out skin and causing a flaky, itchy mess. Dry skin is not a problem that must simply be endured, however. There are a number of tips and considerations that can help keep your face from drying out and feeling tight.
When the skin on your face becomes dry, it is a result of low humidity and dry air stripping your skin of its natural protective lipid layer and exposing the skin beneath to these harsh elements. But it’s not just the weather that can dry out your face and rob skin of moisture – hot water can also be brutal. To avoid adding to the problem, wash your face with lukewarm water and try to avoid too-hot showers. If you simply can’t say no to a scalding shower, try to make it quick to minimize damage. Remember that if your skin turns red, the water is probably too hot and may be adding to your flaky face issues.
A proper skin care regimen can also go a long way to helping avoid a dry face. In addition to using lukewarm water when washing your face twice daily, you should also be sure to use a mild soap. A lot of skin care products on the market today contain chemicals, dyes and fragrances that can worsen dry skin problems, so read the labels and stick to something simple. Exfoliation is another good way to help with dry skin but should only be performed once a week or so and is most effective when done before wetting your skin. You can purchase a product specifically for this purpose, or use your regular soap with an exfoliating sponge to remove dead skin cells and help make moisturizers more effective.
Regularly applying moisturizer is arguably the most effective way to combat flakes and dryness on your face. Look for products with humectants or lipid barrier ingredients, as they protect and rebuild the lipid layer that helps skin retain its moisture. After cleansing your face, you should pat instead of rub dry to avoid irritation and then apply moisturizer while skin is still damp for best results. You should also always protect your skin from sun damage by wearing sunscreen daily, as the sun is will also leach moisture from you face.
Healthy skin isn’t just a matter of what you put on your face, but also what you put in your body. Dehydration can affect skin’s moisture, so make sure to drink plenty of water. There is also research that suggests that Omega 3 Fish Oils can significantly improve not just skin, but hair and nails as well, so consider purchasing supplements in pill form if you are experiencing especially dry, damaged skin. Antihistamines and other medications can also cause dry skin, so if you’ll want to take extra care to keep skin well moisturized if you take these products regularly.
Proper skin care and the appropriate precautionary measures can improve or even eliminate dry facial skin problems, so follow these tips to prevent dry damaged skin and keep your face healthy and glowing.
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