Skincare Tips for Dry & Dehydrated Skin
As someone with dry and sensitive skin - these tips have been tried and tested over many years and also apply to any kind of skin irritation, dermatitis and eczema.
It’s important to distinguish between your skin type and skin condition. Whereas dry skin refers to a skin type (just like oily or combination), dehydrated skin refers to a skin condition. Dry skin lacks oil, can be a result of genetics, and appears flaky and rough. Dehydrated skin on the other hand, lacks water and hydration, and appears dull and tight.
The pros of having dry skin are that it makes you less prone to blemishes as the skin isn’t producing much sebum, and you may also enjoy smaller pores. However, the skin can easily look lacklustre when it can’t hold on to moisture, making wrinkles more pronounced and giving the complexion a rough and dull appearance.
1. Don’t wash your face in a hot shower
I love a hot shower at the end of the day but it can be too much for the thinner, delicate skin of the face - and is worth avoiding if you are prone to dry skin. If you get the feeling of tightness when you come out of the shower - it’s because your skin has lost too much moisture. Personally I don’t like to cleanse my face in the shower anyway as I find the water beating down too chaotic and prefer to cleanse before/after so I can take my time with each step and make it a relaxing experience. But if you enjoy washing your face in the shower, just make sure the water isn’t too hot if you have dry skin.
2. Exfoliate gently
Gentle exfoliation helps to speed up cell turnover, increase skin radiance and boost the absorption and effectiveness of your moisturisers, oils and serums. However, avoid over-exfoliating, either with manual exfoliants/brushes, or retinols and acid serums.
Although it’s important to remove dead skin cells on the surface to help skincare products absorb properly, over-exfoliation can result in damaging the skin barrier - resulting in more sensitivity and skin issues. If you have dry skin, stay away from abrasive manual exfoliants and use gentle solutions like lactic acid, fruit enzymes (papaya is great) and gentle acid serums (naturally derived if possible).
3. Try Oil Cleansing
Oil cleansing can be a total game changer for just about any skin type and condition. The basic concept of this cleansing method is that oil dissolves oil - so the oil used to massage your skin will dissolve the oil that has hardened with impurities and found itself stuck in your pores.
By using the right oils, you can cleanse your pores of dirt and bacteria naturally, gently and effectively, while replacing the dirty oil with beneficial ones extracted from natural botanicals that heal, protect and nourish your skin.
Oil cleansing reduces blackheads and clears the skin naturally over time without any of the surfactants, harsh ingredients, or unnecessary preservatives in foaming cleansers that leave the skin feeling “stripped” and cause disruption to the skin’s microbiome. Oil cleansing easily dissolves make up, sunscreen and dirt - while keeping the skin’s microbiome healthy and balanced.
After switching to oil cleansing, clients often notice clearer, softer, brighter skin, fewer blackheads, more balanced oil production and a sense of ritual in their evening routine. Just massage your cleansing oil onto dry skin and really allow a moment to dissolve the tension of the day with some self massage. Then use a steamy wash cloth to remove the oil. This is where the magic happens as the gentle heat opens the pores and dissolves the oil, helping the cleansing process.
4. Moisturise & protect
If you have dry or dehydrated skin, make sure you always have some moisture on your skin, especially if you are going outside. Whether it’s an oil, moisturiser or SPF (or all 3 if you’re like me!) It’s important to have an extra layer of protection against the elements. This barrier helps to protect the skin from wind, damp, dry heat, pollutants and ensures the skin doesn’t lose moisture - especially when we are moving between different temperatures like being inside and outside. This is especially important in the winter months when the central heating is on and it’s damp outside. Having a layer of cream or oil provides a seal over your skin to keep further moisture from escaping.
I personally believe that facial oils can benefit everyone, as long as you use one that works with your skin type and condition. Organic oils work as a nourishing, protective layer in your skin care regime and should be used as the last step to seal in all the goodness and moisture from your other products.
Wearing SPF everyday is also extremely important to keep your skin healthy and glowing. As dry skin is more prone to fine lines and wrinkles, wearing sunscreen everyday - even if you are inside - is enormously beneficial to keep the skin healthy and young. Try to find an SPF you love - I use the Madara SPF 30 or the Elta MD SPF 40. I find both light-weight, non-clogging and safe for use with perioral dermatitis.
5. Improve from within
You can also try supplements, collagen and adding more Omega oils into your diet. Omega 3, 6 & 9 contain high levels of beneficial fatty acids and have been proven to reduce inflammation and epidermal water loss, which is particularly helpful for those with dry skin. Zinc is also beneficial as it is reduces inflammation and supports wound healing.
Consuming more beneficial fats in general can help with dry skin. Coconut, avocados, fatty fish, and sweet potatoes can help improve skin texture and dryness.
Water is more likely to help re-hydrate those with dehydrated skin, rather than dry skin - but drinking more water is helpful for any skin type in order to keep the system moving, and help the lymph function optimally.
If you live in a city, the environment can be quite polluted which creates dust and allergens that can irritate and effect the skin. Keep your environment clean, change your pillow regularly and wash your bedding frequently. These can be contributory factors for dry, dehydrated and irritated skin.