Everyone should develop their own skin care regimen based on the type of skin they have, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. If your skin is dry, find ways to hydrate it more effectively. People with oily skin, however, may require less hydration and more steps to dry out the epidermis. Most people have combination dry and oily skin and need to find a balance of hydrating products and remedies to maintain the proper moisture levels.
Step 1
Apply moisturizer to your face immediately after washing it. Pat your face dry after a shower or following a facial wash and lightly rub in moisturizer while your skin is still slightly damp to seal in the natural moisture.
Step 2
Wash your face only once a day, preferably at night when it's the dirtiest to avoid stripping it of natural moisturizing oils. Don't use cleansers in the morning, instead rinse with cool water to seal in as many of the natural oils as possible.
Step 3
Use sunscreen daily. Wear sunscreen with a protection factor of at least 15 to keep out ultraviolet light that zaps the skin of moisture and leads to other skin disorders, which range from dark spots and wrinkles to skin cancer. Sunscreen also helps keep out free radicals that can dry out facial skin.
Step 4
Reapply moisturizer regularly throughout the day whenever your skin begins to feel dry. Doctors at the American Academy of Dermatology recommend a creamy formula that contains sunscreen and antioxidants. Other ingredients that help maintain moisture include grape seed, petrolatum and dimethicone.
Step 5
Purchase an oil-based facial cream if your skin is very dry and doesn't respond to other treatments. According to the Mayo Clinic, oil-based creams that contain propylene glycol or urea are the most effective for hydrating very dry skin. Oils also remain on the skin longer and don't evaporate as quickly as water-based creams and lotions.
Step 6
Replenish fluids that you lose on hot days. Drink at least 16 oz. of cool water one hour before you exercise and keep water and sports drinks on hand to drink while you workout. Drink 5 oz. of cool water every 10 minutes to keep your body and your skin well hydrated on warm days, according to the Texas Heart Institute
Tips and Warnings
- Use mild soaps made of glycerin or oil that are available in health food stores and boutiques. According to dermatologist Cynthia Bailey, MD, at Senior Women Web, constant use of harsh soaps strips away naturally hydrating oils. Rinse your face thoroughly to avoid additional drying.
- Avoid expensive facial creams that claim to end dry skin. Cost is not always the best factor to consider when choosing the right hydrating cream for your skin type, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Things You'll Need
- Moisturizer
- Gentle cleansers
- Sunscreen
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