Many factors that contribute to dry skin, and many of them can be kept under control. Diet and daily skin care play a large part in the condition of the skin. Lifestyle also has an effect on the skin. You can take steps to combat dry facial skin, and provided you do not have a health problem such as diabetes or a kidney disorder, you should see excellent results. If you see that your dry skin problem has not improved after your efforts, consult with a doctor who can help you address the problem and rule out any underlying health condition.
Step 1
Cleanse your skin with a light touch, using a gentle cleanser and warm water. Hot water will make your dry skin problem worse. Use soap designed for dry skin, and avoid harsh soaps or cleansers on your skin. Avoid getting soap or cleanser on extremely dry areas of your face if those areas are not excessively dirty. Wash your face once a day only, and do this at night before going to bed. Rinse the cleanser off with copious amounts of water. Avoid using anything abrasive on your skin.
Step 2
Use a mild toner that contains no alcohol. Alcohol can dry your skin out further. Toner removes any remaining soap from your skin. Soap left on the skin will leave your skin feeling tight dryer than it already is.
Step 3
Have a moisturizer ready so you can apply it to your skin before your skin is completely dry--within 3 minutes. The goal here is to lock moisture into the skin before it evaporates. Use a moisturizer that contains beneficial hydrating ingredients, such as aloe vera, to combat dry skin. Use a cream instead of a lotion to effectively bring moisture to the skin. Apply moisturizing cream to your face two or three times a day.
Step 4
Keep a humidifier in your bedroom at night to add moisture to your skin. Stay in a room that has a humidifier during the day, whenever possible, and avoid areas where the air is dry.
Step 5
Drink six to eight glasses of water a day, do not smoke and get no more than 15 minutes of sun a day. Use a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 45 on your skin whenever you know you will be outdoors for more than 15 minutes.
Step 6
Maintain a balanced diet and avoid foods that can dehydrate your skin. Avoid food and beverages that contain refined sugar, red meat or caffeine.
Things You'll Need
- Facial cleanser
- Alcohol-free toner
- Moisturizer
- Humidifier
References
- Women's Health: Skin and Hair Health
- Evans Army Community Hospital: Treating Dry Skin
- "Linda Page's Healthy Healing, All New Eleventh Edition"; Linda Page; 2001
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