Washing With Hot Water
Washing off the day or starting the morning by splashing your skin with hot water may be soothing, but if you have dry skin it’s best to stick to cooler temperatures if you don’t wish to exacerbate the issue. “Ideally, lukewarm water should be used to wash your face and your skin. Water that is too hot will actually draw moisture out of your skin, leaving it dryer and more irritated,” warns Dr. Angela Casey, MD. When you wash your face with hot water it will dry out your complexion, leaving it feeling tight and mask-like rather than hydrated and supple. As a note, the same goes for hot showers and the rest of your body.
Too Harsh Cleansers
Using powerful cleansers may feel like they’re doing more for your skin than those with gentle ingredients, but these stronger formulations may be zapping the moisture from your complexion, resulting in discomfort and flakiness. “Some face cleansers contain active ingredients that are more likely to strip away the skin's natural oil,” notes Dr. Daniel Boyer of the Farr Institute. “The ingredients that are known to cause skin problems include benzoyl, peroxides, and salicylic acids, and may result in itchiness on your skin and also leave your skin tight.”
These ingredients can often be found in acne skincare products, so if you’re struggling with breakouts and dry skin it may be worth consulting a dermatologist to determine your best course of action for treating both issues. Avoiding alcohol in your cleanser will also be beneficial for healthy, hydrated skin.
Exfoliating Daily
If you’re experiencing intense dryness and flaking on your skin you may be tempted to exfoliate more frequently in order to rid your complexion of the issue. However, while occasional exfoliation can be extremely useful in ridding your face of dead skin cells and other buildup, too frequent exfoliation may only dry it out further. “Exfoliation of the skin more often using harsh chemicals or abrasive face scrubs may cause irritation and dryness on your skin. It is recommended that you exfoliate your skin just once or twice a week using gentler exfoliators that are meant for dry skin to avoid skin problems,” suggests Boyer.
It’s ultimately going to be to your benefit to continuously check the labels on any new skincare products you’re integrating into your routine to avoid anything that may make dry skin worse. Although exfoliation is an excellent trick for revealing brighter and healthier skin, doing it too frequently will only make things worse.