I’m back on my bullshit with the Skincare 101 series, and next up is dry skin based on your answers to the poll on Instagram this week! Fun fact to kick it off: no matter what type of skin you have, dry skin will always be an issue at some point in your life. If it hasn’t happened yet, just give it time. It’ll come around. The good news? You’ve got a game plan. Dry skin is a finicky bitch in its own right. Makeup cracks, skin flakes, FINE LINES: shit is fucking REAL. It’s wrecked my world too since I lie on the combo side of oily. Especially during the winter: my cheeks get all kinds of scaly. Welcome to your playbook for dry skin.
Dry Skin: The Cold Hard Truth
Dry skin is such a common problem no matter what true skin type you have, due to a few reasons. It can be a genetic thing or a developed skin condition. Since our skin changes over time, dealing with dry skin is gonna become a reality at some point. Even myself as an oily skin type. In high school, I’d get these gross flaky patches that were ridden with oil shine. It was fucking maddening. Legit worst of both worlds bad.
The causes can vary a lot, but it narrows down to a few simple things: irritants or incorrect active ingredients in your skincare routine being one of them. It’s 100% best to consult with your dermatologist or esthetician to get to know your skin better before choosing products on your own. I can better navigate choosing the right skincare products for my skin. Plus, it will save you and your derm/esthetician the pain of having to undo an improper skincare routine. More on that to come later next week on social!
These are the ingredients you want to look for on labels/websites:
- Fragrance-free: Fragrance is a leading cause of dry skin due to the irritants that some of them contain. If you love scents, make sure they’re faint. Especially if you’re on the sensitive side of dry.
- Oatmeal, ceramide, shea butter, squalene, any plant oils, beeswax, lanolin, and hyaluronic acid are all great common ingredients in products that help treat dry skin.
- Rule of thumb: it’s less about what the label boasts, and more about what’s inside it.
The Product Breakdown
Cleansers
You’ll want to opt for cleansers that have a creamy, milky texture to them. If you like gel, make sure to check the ingredients carefully. Ultra-moisturizing is key, especially since dry skin is more prone to fine lines earlier in life.
Toners
Opt for toners that contain soothing ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, antioxidants, essential oils (know your skin before trying), and vitamin E. These hydrating ingredients will best prep your skin for the rest of your skincare routine!
Serums
This will vary more across skin types since dry skin is so common. Once you know your skin, you can start to choose ingredients you know vibe well. These serums run across all types.
Moisturizers
Things are generally the same across skin types here, with a little variance. Aim for moisturizers with emollients, anti-oxidants, and skin replenishing ingredients like ceramides and glycerin. It will ensure your skin retains as much moisture as possible all day long.
Masks
Opt for masks that are rich with ingredients like hydrolyzed collagen, botanicals/essential oils, oatmeal, or avocado. These types of ingredients help balance your skin’s natural oils and reduce inflammation.
Lookin’ for the other skin types too? Check ’em here for oily skin and combo skin. Also, I do all my polls during the week on what you want to read about, so head over to Instagram to weigh in on the types of articles you want me to make next!
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