The lowdown on dos and don'ts for dry skin
It's easy to treat skincare as an afterthought, but certain professionals would disagree. Whether you're a performing artist, a front desk agent, or a flight attendant, you can't just dismiss skincare if your work hinges on it. Having these kinds of jobs means facing or accommodating a lot of people every day, which necessitates looking pleasant or approachable. This is the reason dermatologists educate people on skincare, with many of the latter not even aware of their skin type. This could pose problems because not using the right product or procedure for your skin type could worsen the skin over time. If you have dry skin, here are some dos and don'ts to keep your skin healthy and pleasant-looking.
Be moderate with washing
Skin experts stress that dry skin should just get the right amount of washing. Harvard Health recommends bathing once for five to ten minutes daily, as well as washing with warm water instead of hot. Keep this in mind the next time you're about to take that hot shower after sweating it out. The science behind this is that washing too frequently and using hot water could strip natural oils from your face or skin, making it even drier than before. It's therefore ideal to be moderate with washing, be it with frequency or temperature.
Protect the skin's moisture in cold temperatures
Winter or cold temperature doesn't do any good for dry skin, as it leaves no moisture in the air. If you live in areas that experience this season, make sure to have a humidifier in place. This helps retain moisture for your skin to absorb as a protective layer. Those who work in air conditioned offices or establishments need to heed this too. For added protection, you can use lip balm to prevent dry, chapped lips and moisturizing products on your skin, such as a good foundation for dry skin that has moisturizing properties.
Use the right products for dryness
Speaking of moisturizers, it's important that you pick the ones specially formulated for dry skin. Using a moisturizer that's designed for a different skin type might cause more problems, such as blocked pores that can lead to pimple breakouts. WebMD suggests using products with petroleum jelly or mineral oil. Compared to other skin types, dry skin can be easily relieved by creams or lotions.
Don't shave recklessly
Men with dry skin need to shave with care, as doing so recklessly could strip the skin of its natural oils. The American Academy of Dermatology explains that it's best to shave after a shower while your hair is still pliable and soft. When using shaving creams, make sure that they're formulated for dry skin just like the moisturizers mentioned above. Shaving carefully also involves using the blade in a way that won't cut your face. This might leave scars that won't do any good for dry skin.
Don't forget sunscreen
Sun exposure also affects the condition of your dry skin. If you're going to be at the beach, on the mountains, or at a hiking trail, it helps to give your skin a layer of that good old SPF. The sun protection factor of your sunscreen needs to be SPF 30 to help prevent sun damage. Sun damage could cause wrinkles and roughness, which won't look good on the skin as you age.
Avoid scratching your skin
People with dry skin are no strangers to marks that appear after their skin gets scratched or grazed. This might be caused by having to relieve an itchy spot, but skin experts warn against scratching it as a remedy. What's recommended is to apply a cold compress to the itchy area to prevent any scratch marks, which might become visible, permanent scars if your skin gets wounded.
Directions For Dry Skin
In a nutshell, people need to pay more attention to the skin type they have, in order to best take care of it. If you have dry skin, experts would advise you to use sun protection, shave with care, and not wash excessively. You'll also be expected to avoid hot water, scratch your skin, and not use products formulated for other skin types. By following these directions for dry skin, you'll be able to maintain a pleasant-looking face with the confidence to go about your daily routine.
Resources — Harvard Health, American Academy Of Dermatology, WebMD
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