Dry facial skin is a common problem. Choosing facial cream for dry skin, however, isn't an easy task. Not all facial creams are effective. Finding the right active ingredients makes a difference in keeping skin moisturized. Hydrating the skin also puts you at lower risk for cracking, inflammation and infection.
Causes of Dry Face
Facial skin is dry for a variety of reasons, including weather changes and increased use of heating and cooling systems, according to MayoClinic.com. The use of harsh soaps and detergents also dries out delicate facial skin. Exposure to sun, which penetrates top layers of skin, makes the appearance of dry skin worse.
Effective Facial Creams
Wash the face twice daily with a gentle cleanser, recommends the American Academy of Dermatology. If skin still appears dry, rinse face with cold water in the morning and use a gentle cleanser at night. Use a facial cream that contains a sun protection of at least 30. Apply facial cream in the morning after washing the face to seal in moisture.
If skin feels dry mid-day, reapply the moisturizer to provide additional hydration. Choose a facial cream that contains grape seed oil, petrolatum or antioxidants, recommends the American Academy of Dermatology. Urea and propylene glycol are also hydrating for the skin. These ingredients prevent water loss from the skin.
Misconceptions
Some people think exfoliating a dry face frequently helps; however, this is a common mistake, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. Dry skin sufferers need to exfoliate once weekly, at the most. If skin still appears dry, skip a week, exfoliating every other week.
Prevention
Use warm water when taking a bath or shower. Avoid using hot water. Using hot water strips the skin's natural oils, leaving skin drier. Use a humidifier, which adds additional moisture to the skin. Place two to three humidifiers around your home. Clean the humidifier water regularly to prevent bacteria accumulation in the air.
Warnings
If dry skin doesn't improve with the use of a moisturizing cream and lifestyle changes, talk with your doctor. An underlying medical condition, such as hypothyroidism may cause dry facial skin, according to MayoClinic.com. Your doctor can examine your skin and make recommendations for treatments to hydrate and improve the appearance of the face.
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