Although typically not a sign of a serious medical problem, dry skin on the face can make your skin look flaky and cause an uncomfortable itchy sensation. Never try to cover up dry skin with heavy makeup; it often worsens the look of the skin. Lifestyle changes and topical treatment products are available to combat dry facial skin.
Causes
According to the Mayo Clinic, causes of dry skin include winter weather, indoor heating systems, hot water, sun exposure, harsh soaps and chemicals. Certain medical conditions, such as psoriasis and thyroid disease, include dry skin as a possible symptom. If a medical reason is causing the dry skin on your face, you should consult your doctor about treatment.
Prevention
Avoidance of certain substances helps to get rid of dry skin on the face. Washing the face with soap and hot water depletes the skin of its protective oils. When you do cleanse the face, only lukewarm water should be used and a mild facial cleanser. While bathing, keep water exposure to a minimum by taking baths and showers that last less than 10 minutes. Avoid the sun when possible, since it dries out the skin. If you are outdoors, apply a sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher.
Solution
To treat dry skin on the face, use a moisturizer on a daily basis. Ideally, apply the moisturizer after bathing while the skin is still slightly wet. This helps lock in the moisture. Moisturizers with built-in sun protection keep your skin from drying out due to UV exposure. Choose oil or cream based facial moisturizers.
Types
When you are using moisturizers to cure dry skin on the face, look for types that do not cause other types of skin reactions. The University of Iowa states that facial moisturizers should be labeled as hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic. Hypoallergenic do not cause allergic reactions while non-comedogenic products do not clog the pores and lead to acne breakouts.
Considerations
Humidifiers can be placed in your home to relieve dry skin on the face. Heating systems remove moisture from the air and a humidifier can remedy this problem. Humidifiers can be installed on a heating system or purchased as a stand alone unit.
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