No matter the season, dry skin on the face can be a persistent problem thanks to indoor heaters and strong air conditioning. Or if you have naturally dry skin, you’re familiar with the struggle with flaking, irritation and sensitivity all year long. It’s especially important not just to take care of your skin for the sake of it’s health, but if you wear makeup then dry skin can create difficulties for application of your favorite foundations, concealers, face powder and any other color cosmetic due to dry skin causing an uneven surface to apply makeup on top of.
You don’t have to go to a professional facialist or dermatologist to help your dry skin. Here are our top 5 at-home ways to soothe dry skin anytime.
FACE SERUM
When we think of skincare and dry skin, we immediately assume that applying a face moisturizer is enough to properly hydrate the skin. But while moisturizer can help with mildly dry skin, if you have moderate to severe dryness then applying a face serum underneath a moisturizer is the real secret because face serums penetrate the skin at a deeper level versus a moisturizer. Face serums also do not cause breakouts as long as you’re not allergic to the ingredients (in fact, some serums are meant to treat acne). If your skin still feels dry or tight with only a moisturizer, try a face serum underneath.
EXFOLIATION
Exfoliation is key when soothing dry skin. Any skincare that’s applied doesn’t effectively sink into the skin if there’s a layer of dead skin cells. Regular exfoliation will shed the dry skin so that skin care will be able to do its job. Exfoliation also smooths the surface of the skin to help get rid of bumps and flaking so that makeup applies more evenly on top for a truly flawless finish. Use a lighted magnifying mirror to identify the spots on your face that have rough or flaking skin, then use an exfoliator to gently buff away the dead skin cells to expose the fresh, smooth skin underneath.
HONEY
Honey isn’t just for your afternoon tea. Honey in skincare works as a humectant to help seal in the moisture in the skin as well as make the skin soft and combat breakouts. Honey is also used to treat some forms of eczema and psoriasis. Try a face mask with honey in the ingredients, in face moisturizer or even in facial toners.
OIL CLEANSING
Sometimes the face wash we use can be extremely drying to the skin. Try an oil cleanser which is oil-based that washes off cleanly without striping the skin of its hydration. Oil cleansers also work to break down makeup so that pores will be extra clean as well. Make sure you get off all of your eye makeup in particular before bed, as leftover makeup around the eye area can cause infection. Use a bright magnifying mirror after you wash your face to examine your eye area (particularly your lash line) to make sure all traces of mascara, eyeliner and eyeshadow are cleaned off. Use a cotton swab dipped in oil-free makeup remover, or a makeup wipe, to get off any trace makeup after face cleansing.
VITAMIN C
Vitamin C is not just good for your immune system, but it’s also a vital ingredient to help prevent dry skin when vitamin C is ingested on a regular basis. But if you need extra help, try a vitamin C serum, moisturizer or face wash to easily get a consistent dose of this vitamin at the topical level.
Beat the dry skin during winter by stocking up on must-have mirror tools just in time for Christmas with Free Shipping Sitewide on All Orders up until Monday December 17, 2018 at 7am PST (no minimum, no code) for delivery by Christmas!*
*Free domestic shipping sitewide on all orders (no code necessary) to addresses in the continental US. Discount excludes bundles/kits and Opportunity Buys purchases. Expires 12/17/18.
