Articles

Dry skin can be difficult to live with. Dry skin can cause irritation, itchiness and redness and should be treated immediately, especially if you want to help keep your skin healthy and balanced.

Avoiding proper skin care means that you are suffering needlessly as well as exposing your skin and body to infection. Moisturizers are crucial for dry skin, but if you use the wrong cleansing products you'll actually be counteracting its effects. So, make sure that all of the products you choose for your skin are the right ones.

Don't forget that the proper routine is not only about finding the right products, but also about applying them in the correct manner. Here's an overview to get you started on your search for the right routine.

Before getting started with the proper skin care routine, you need to determine your skin type. In the case of dry skin you need to find out if you have regular dry skin or really dry skin. It isn't too difficult to determine what type of dry skin you have. For example, if you are using a creamy cleansers and moisturizers but are still suffering from itchiness and tightness, then you probably have very dry skin.

Basic Cleansing Routine for Dry Skin and Really Dry Skin

The first and most important part of any skin care routine is cleansing. If you have dry skin, you will want to start with a creamy cleanser. If you have very dry skin, use non-comedogenic oil like olive oil.

Once you've finished cleansing you should use a toner that is both alcohol and fragrance-free. This will help remove any residue that was left behind, and don't forget, exfoliate at least once a week to remove dead skin cells and refresh your skin.

People with dry skin shouldn't use facial scrubs. In this case use chemical exfoliants such as products that contain AHAs or natural exfoliants. If you want a homemade exfoliant you can mix oatmeal and grapefruit juice or milk and honey.

Moisturizing is crucial when trying to treat dry face or dry skin. In order to keep dry skin moist you need to use a creamy cleanser and good moisturizer. The moisturizer should be applied frequently during the day. If you choose an oil - as a cleanser or moisturizer - you may not need to reapply as often.

Tips to Keep in Mind

Creamy and oily cleansers and moisturizers are a great choice for dry skin care, but if not used properly can actually make your dry skin worse. In order to prevent this problem there are a few things you need to keep in mind:

*Do not let the water (from daily cleansing or the shower) evaporate completely before you have a chance to put on your moisturizer. This will help keep the moisture locked in.

*Avoid long, hot showers. Extended periods of time under the shower head will only strip away natural oils and make your skin drier.

*You should reapply your moisturizer as often as necessary.