How To Look After: Dry Skin

(Note: this is only from my understandings as a makeup artist/skin consultant. I have no medical qualifications)

Dry skin, like oily skin, is also a common problem which affects most people at some point in their lives.  Here I am looking only at looking after dry facial skin, although some tips (such as what ingredients to look for) may be transferable to other body bits. Dryness often leaves your face feeling uncomfortable, sore and dehydrated. Although dry skin is naturally associated with age, (the older you get, the less your skin is capable to balance itself and it will be naturally drier) anyone of any age can have a dryer skin type.  As my own skin type is normal/dry, many of the following tips are ones I apply to myself as well as others.

Enjoy!

Q) What is/do I have dry skin?

Dry skin is when your skin does not naturally produce enough oil to keep itself balanced, causing your skin to feel taut and parched. It may be flaky and dull, and in extreme cases itchy or prone to cracking. If you wake up in the morning and your skin feels two sizes too small for your face, then you, my friend, have dry skin.

Q) What is the difference between dryness and dehydration?

Dryness is a lack of oil in your skin; dehydration is a lack of water.  If you pinch your cheek gently in your fingertips and you see it’s very finely lined, it is dehydrated. Drinking lots of water will help this dehydration but will NOT  help with a lack of oil.

Q) What else causes dryness?

Your skin can be made dry by the environment, or abrasive and harsh products you may already be using. Environmental causes include sunbathing, air conditioning, central heating, and drinking alcohol.

Q) Are there any benefits of having dry skin?

Chances are, your makeup will last longer on your skin, and you probably won’t be as prone to spots and breakouts. The bad news, however, is that you are more prone to signs of aging and wrinkles; as the skin is tighter, the wrinkles will show quicker. Think of your dry skin like linen and of oily skin like latex. Latex is harder to crease, as it is thicker and it bounces back when you bend it; it’s an oil-based fabric. Linen is thinner, drier and if you crush that bad boy it will CREASE.

Q) Should I exfoliate? How often?

Yes you should! Your skin cells’ cycle, or the lifetime of the cells, lasts for about 28 days. Dry skin cells go through the cell cycle quicker, therefore they die quicker. Dead skin cells can lie on your skin and block your pores, make your skin look dull, and look flaky, so you need to exfoliate roughly every other day to get rid of the excess. (If you are sensitive, you would scrub less often, but with a super gentle cleanser you could still exfoliate once or twice a week)

Q) What cleanser should I use?

Stay away from one with drying Sodium Lauryl Sulphate or a high alcohol content. A nice milky or oil based cleanser would be lightly hydrating while still removing dirt and makeup.

Q) What about toner/moisturiser?

If you invest in one good quality, expensive product make it your moisturiser. Preferably, get a day moisturiser with a high SPF and a rich, hydrating night cream without SPF. Alternatively, get one good all purpose moisturiser for day and night, and invest in a facial sunscreen (these are about £5 and generally last for about 3 months) to wear during the day. SPF cannot be worn at night as it is damaging to the skin. Moisturise twice a day, morning and night. While toner is beneficial and may soothe and calm your skin, and prep it for moisturising, it is one thing that you can skip if you’re feeling lazy. 

Q) Anything else?

TOP TIP! If you’ve been out on the razz, you cheeky monkey, or enjoying a bit of a bevy, this is not going to do your dry skin any favours. Get a nice moisturising mask for the morning/afternoon/evening after, it’s going to give your skin back the moisture that alcohol sucked away.

Q) When should I wash my face?

Try and avoid over cleansing if you can. I only use water in the morning, and then moisturiser.  At night when you remove your makeup is the time to cleanse more thoroughly. Definitely avoid over-scrubbing as this will make your skin drier than it is.

Q)  What ingredients should I look out for?

To moisturise, look for any nut oils. Cocoa butter, shea butter, illipe butter, olive oil and honey also moisturise. Aloe vera, rose, chamomile and oats will soothe redness, soreness, and dryness.  Hyaluronic Acid and Alguronic Acid will help with water retention for dehydration.

Q) What makeup is good for dry skin?

A hydrating primer is a good idea, as this will work with your moisturiser to keep your skin feeling supple throughout the day. Liquid foundations or tinted moisturisers also work well for dry skin types as they are less likely to dry out and look cakey, however, make sure that the moisturiser is not oil free, as a little bit of oil works well on dryness. Mineral powders are great as they are so fine that they will not look clumpy on dry patches. Creamy blushes and eyeshadows will keep your skin looking more moisturised and also give a lovely skin-like finish. If you want to boost radiance, look for illuminating products with light reflecting pigments in; these will bounce light off your face and give you a health glow