Can dry skin cause other symptoms?
If the skin on your face is dry, it may flake or itch. Sometimes, it can feel tight to touch or even hurt.
Other symptoms of dry skin include:
- scaling
- peeling
- redness
- an ashy look (for those with a darker complexion)
- rough or sandpaper-like skin
- bleeding
Dry skin can generally be treated by tweaking your skincare routine or changing some environmental factors. Sometimes dry skin is a sign of an underlying medical condition that should be treated by your doctor.
How can I get rid of dry skin on my face?
Before you start switching up your products, there are several things you can try to ease dryness. Most are simple to implement and can be used together to alleviate your symptoms.
Modify your shower
If you can, skip hot showers in favor of lukewarm ones. Hot water can dry your skin by removing naturally occurring oils.
You may also find it beneficial to reduce your time in the shower to five to 10 minutes. This avoids unnecessary exposure to water, which can leave your skin drier than it was before you hopped in the shower.
Avoid showering or bathing more than once a day, as this can worsen dry skin.
Wash your face gently
When selecting a face wash, you should avoid soaps and cleansers that contain harsh ingredients like alcohol, retinoids, or alpha hydroxy acids. These unnecessary ingredients may dry your skin and cause irritation or inflammation.
There are several mild and moisturizing soaps without fragrances that you can try.
You should look for one or more of the following ingredients that retain moisture:
- polyethylene glycol
- akyl-polyglycoside
- silicone surfactants
- lanolin
- paraffin
Syndets, or synthetic cleaning agents, are another beneficial soap ingredient. They often contain chemicals such as sulphur trioxide, sulphuric acid, and ethylene oxide, which are gentle on sensitive skin.
You should also be gentle as you apply soaps or cleansers to your face. Use just your fingertips and gently rub your face instead of using a more abrasive sponge or washcloth. Don’t scrub the skin on your face, as this can cause irritation. Read more
Read also: Natural Beauty DIY: 6 Coconut Oil Face Masks
