Dry Skin On Face: 9 ways to get rid of dry skin

Dry skin can happen to anyone, anywhere on the body. But when it appears on the face it gets really difficult to cover it. If you think covering it with makeup will be a good idea then you are wrong, it will only make it worse.

You are experiencing rough and flaky skin on your face and wondering how to get rid of it! Then you have landed on the right page.

In this blog, we will provide you with the most effective ways to combat dry patches on face and get your healthy, happy skin back again.

Dry Skin On Face

Dry skin, medically known as Xerosis ( pronounced zi-ro-sis) or Xeroderma, appears when there is a lack of moisture in the skin. It can appear anywhere on the body, even on the face. Dry skin on the face is not dangerous but it can cause itching, irritation, and cracking of facial skin. It can also make wrinkles and fine lines more prominent, and make skin appear dull.

Some of the most common symptoms of facial dry skin are:

• Tightening of skin
• Redness
• Skin peeling and scaling
• Flushed skin
• Rough skin
• Irritation and itching on the face
• Bleeding (in severe cases)
• Ashy skin (in people with darker complexion)

These symptoms can be very disturbing for people who are self-conscious and love to take care of their skin and face. 

Don’t panic! We are here to help you. You can easily restore your skin’s moisture level and attend to dry skin on your face by following a proper skincare routine. But first, let’s take a look at what causes the skin to become dry.

Why Is My Face So Dry?

Let’s talk about what causes dry skin on face. One of the most common and basic reasons for this is when there is a lack of moisture. Our skin naturally produces an oily substance called sebum. 

Sebum is responsible for keeping the skin hydrated and protecting it from irritants and allergens outside. But when the skin produces less sebum, its natural skin barrier is disrupted. Due to this the skin is unable to hold moisture in it and becomes dry.

Dry skin can be triggered by several reasons such as:

• Aging
• Dehydration
• Reaction to medications
• Menopause
• Poor nutrition
• Thyroid disease
• Kidney disease
• Eczema
• Psoriasis
• Diabetes
• Contact dermatitis
• Weather condition

Facial Skin Types And Dry Skin

Dry, flaky skin on the face is a common condition that can be experienced by anyone of any race or ethnicity. You might have heard people talking about having a certain skin type and wonder what that is all about.

Humans have 4 skin types 

• Normal Skin

Normal skin type is less prone to becoming dry. But when it does the symptoms of dryness are mild. 

• Dry Skin

If you already have a dry skin type then you are more likely to experience dryness and the symptoms may appear more severe such as tightening, roughness, and cracking of skin.

• Oily Skin

If you have oily skin on your face then it is less likely to be affected by dryness. If it becomes dry the symptoms are mild and might not be visible in the initial stage. 

• Combination Skin

People with this skin have oily skin and dry skin at the same time. There is an area called the T-zone which includes the forehead and nose which is typically oily–included in this “T” can also be the chin. The combination here is that at the same time that the T-zone is oily the cheeks may be dry. The symptoms of dry skin will be more intense on those dry parts while milder on the rest of the face. 

How To Get Rid Of Dry Skin On Face

You can relieve the symptoms of dry skin by enhancing your skincare routine. 

However if you are experiencing flaky skin on your face due to a skin condition, like eczema or psoriasis for example, then managing the underlying skin condition first is essential to soothe dryness. 

We have listed some of the most effective ways to get rid of dry skin on face.

1. Bathtime Care

Soaps that use sulfates as a surfactant (lathering agent) strip away oil from your skin and make it dry. This is why it is important to take care of your skin during bath time. Here are a few simple things you can do during bathtime to prevent dry, red skin on face.

• Use a non-soap cleanser. This means a cleanser with no sulfates–which are viewed as harsh

• Limit the bath time to 5 or 10 minutes.
• Use lukewarm, or cool water for baths.
• After taking a bath, immediately moisturize your face.
• Instead of rubbing your face, pat dry it with a soft towel.
• Avoid taking a bath more than once a day.

2. Moisturize

If managing dry skin were in the Olympics, then the person who moisturized most frequently would be the winner of the GOLD medal. If you are experiencing extremely dry skin on face, moisturizing frequently should be on your must-do list.

Moisturize your face at least twice a day. But if your skin remains dry increase the frequency of use. Always moisturize your face after taking a bath or washing your face, because at that time your skin absorbs more moisture.

The skin becomes more dry at night so remember to moisturize it before going to bed. The best face moisturizer for dry skin is the one that is free from fragrances, and parabens and is hypoallergenic. 

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, it is better to use a moisturizer in cream form as these are more effective in trapping moisture in the skin. “Lotions” by definition are thinner than “creams”. Use a moisturizing cream that is non-greasy, fast absorbing, and suitable for all facial skin types. 

3.Choosing The Right Products

Using the right products on your face can make a difference. Skincare products that contain harmful chemicals such as fragrances, artificial dyes, and sulfates can strip away the natural oils from the skin making it more prone to dryness.

While choosing a face wash or cleanser, look for the ones that are paraben-free, sulfate-free, gluten-free, and fragrance-free. A daily cleanser and face wash like Happy Cappy Daily Shampoo, Body Wash, and face wash for Dry skin is a great option to choose from. It contains ingredients like Oatmeal Extract, Licorice Root Extract, Aloe Vera, Provitamin B5, and Hyaluronic Acid that help soothe dryness, hydrate your skin, and cleanse your face thoroughly. 

After washing the face it is important to moisturize the face. The best facial moisturizer for dry skin is a hypoallergenic one, which helps restore the delicate skin barrier, protects it against irritants, and keeps your skin hydrated all day long.

4. Skin Flooding

Skin flooding has proven beneficial for ages in treating dry skin on face. It is an old technique that you can easily perform yourself. It means applying your moisturizer on damp skin.

When the skin is damp it tends to absorb more moisture and helps lock moisture in the skin. This makes the moisturizer more effective and treats dry skin much faster.

The best way to do it is by

• Wash your face with a gentle cleanser
• Pat dry your face but leave it a little damp
• Apply a layer of moisturizer on your face and let it absorb.

5. Exfoliating

You may be wondering how exfoliating can help combat facial dry skin. The answer is that exfoliating is important whether you have dry skin or oily skin. 

Exfoliating can help your skin absorb more moisture and keep it hydrated for a longer time. So remember to exfoliate your face at least once or twice a week. But don’t overdo it, as over-exfoliating can make the skin rough, patchy, and dry. 

6. Avoiding The Triggers

Apart from following a proper cleansing and moisturizing skincare routine, it is vital to avoid the triggers that may be causing dry skin on your face. This can help reduce the symptoms of dry skin.

• If your dry skin is caused by dry air then avoid going out in extremely hot or cold weather, avoid sitting by the fireplace, and keep air in your house humid.
• If you are experiencing dry skin as a reaction to some medicine or skincare product then discontinue their use or contact your dermatologist for an alternative.

7. Humidifier

Dry air is a major reason that causes facial skin to become dry, this dry air can be either due to extreme weather conditions or central heating and air conditioning units. Dry air can strip away natural oils from your skin at a much faster rate, especially at night, and lead to dryness. 

You can easily deal with dry air inside your home and office with the help of a humidifier. Humidifiers keep the air moist by spraying evaporated water in the air. 

8. Medication

If you are experiencing extremely dry skin on face and it doesn’t get better with any of the remedies mentioned above then consult a dermatologist. They may prescribe specific medication or topical steroid ointments and creams to reduce the dryness of skin.

This is more common in cases when you are experiencing dry skin due to any skin condition such as eczema, psoriasis, or contact dermatitis and your skin is not responding to conventional treatments.

Preventing Dry Skin

As the saying goes, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”, you can also prevent dry skin on your face by taking care of your skin.

• Don’t wash your face multiple times a day.
• Apply moisturizer every time after washing your face.
• Use cool or lukewarm water to wash your face.
• Keep your body hydrated by drinking plenty of water.
• Limit the intake of caffeine in your diet.
• Avoid direct exposure to the sun and use sunscreen to protect your face.
• Avoid artificial tanning.
• Try quitting smoking.

Conclusion

Dry skin on face can be caused by several reasons such as eczema, psoriasis, kidney disease, lack of moisture in the skin, dry air, contact dermatitis, and aging.

The symptoms of dry facial skin can be easily soothed by following a proper skincare routine that includes regularly washing your face and moisturizing it daily. 

Happy Cappy Two-Step Regimen to Soothe Dry Skin can help you soothe dry skin on the face. It contains a gentle cleanser and moisturizing cream. These products contain moisturizing agents that draw moisture into the skin and soothe Dry, Itchy, Eczema Prone Skin.

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