With the winter months fast approaching, dry skin becomes even more uncomfortable and ‘tight’. Whilst many believe that using thicker, heavier products will repair your skin, this is unfortunately not the case. In fact, using these products tends to make your skin more sensitive than it was before. This is true for both men and women, and these top tips will help your skin, no matter what your gender.
Separating the fact from the fiction
Many people believe that if they drink more water, they will eliminate the dryness in their skin and rehydrate it back to health. However, whilst drinking water does have many health benefits, it does nothing for dry skin. This is because dry skin, is in fact, a skin ‘type’ and much like your blood type, this cannot be changed. However, even though drinking more water can’t and won’t help your dry skin, the following steps WILL help to rehydrate your skin back to health.
Step 1 – Comfortable Cleansing
Cream or oil-based, non-foaming based cleansers are better for drier skins. These do not strip the skin of essential moisture, and the right product should make your skin feel soft and smooth after cleansing. Any tightness or irritation and the product is not right for you!
When removing the cleanser, I also recommend using cotton wool rather than water. Water can draw out your skin’s natural oils, making it even more dehydrated than before. However, if you prefer to use water rather than cotton wool, make sure you include a pH balanced toner afterwards.
Step 2 – Exfoliate the RIGHT Way
Both men and women who suffer from dry skin will often have an accumulation of dead skin cells on the surface of the skin, which prevents moisture from reaching the deeper layers of the skin. By removing these skin cells, other products can then become more effective.
Step 3 – Become Friends with Facial Oils
I often advise clients to use facial oils, as they can really change how your skin feels. I would suggest facial oils over night creams, as night creams can often leave your skin feeling heavy and uncomfortable. Facial oils help to soften and soothe your skin. These are particularly great if you spend large amounts of time outdoors during the winter.
When you find the right facial oil, it will leave your skin feeling hydrated and nourished, and it shouldn’t interfere with the way that your makeup sits on your skin.
Personally, I would recommend pure rosehip oil – it is a wonderful all-rounder containing fatty acids, vitamin A and anti-oxidants. Not only does it help to combat dry skin, it also softens the appearance of scars and stretch marks. Oils with high amounts of Omega 6 and 9, such as sesame, hazelnut, apricot and almond will also effectively target dry skin, so ensure to look out for these when shopping for facial oils.
Step 4 – Look for Proven Skincare Ingredients
Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a powerful ingredient that can really make a difference if your skin is dry. Depending on whether your use high weight, medium weight or low weight hyaluronic acid, your skin will quickly become more hydrated and resilient. You can find this acid in supplement drinks as well as skincare products, so use whichever you prefer (using both definitely won’t hurt either)!
Step 5 – Treat Yourself to a Facial
Going for an in-salon facial is extremely beneficial to your skin; it allows you to receive treatment that is specifically designed for your skin type, the products are filled with more of the active ingredients that will directly target your skin condition and you’ll receive expert advice on how to take care of your skin once you leave the salon. They are also blissfully relaxing! There are many facial treatments that you can choose from, but the best ones for dry skin are as follows:
- Microdermabrasion – This works by removing dead skin cells from the top layer of your skin and then massaging rehydrating, beneficial products into the deeper levels of your skin.
- Galvanic Facial Treatment – A facial treatment which encourages skincare products to reach the deepest layers of the skin increasing their ability to really enhance the condition of your skin. This is an extremely relaxing and powerful treatment.
- Chemical Peels – These are particularly good when they use lactic or glycolic acid. They are a more intensive exfoliation method, and they are a great way to start attacking dry, dehydrated skin.
