As the weather gets colder, dry skin becomes a common issue. Dry skin can lead to flaking, redness, and irritation that can be uncomfortable and embarrassing.
Dr. Maren Locke, a board-certified dermatologist and the Budget Dermatologist, is here to teach you how to fix your dry skin without spending a fortune.
Follow these three simple steps to get your dry skin under control and feeling more hydrated.
Step One: Fix the Way You Cleanse Your Dry Skin
The first step to getting your dry skin under control is to properly cleanse your face. Choose a cleanser with the right pH, a cleanser that is formulated for dry skin, and a cleanser with hero ingredients like niacinamide, ceramides, and hyaluronic acid.
Avoid cleansers with harsh sulfates, like SLS and SLES. To use your cleanser correctly, only cleanse once to twice daily and use lukewarm water.
Cleanse after you shower and remove makeup or heavy sunscreen with an oil-based cleansing balm. Pat your face dry after cleansing with a soft cloth, like cotton facial cloths.
Step Two: Choose the Right Moisturizer
The second step to fixing your dry skin is choosing the correct moisturizer and applying it properly. You do not need to spend hundreds of dollars on a moisturizer to achieve hydrated skin.
Choose a moisturizer with the right consistency, like a cream, and with hero ingredients like ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide.
Apply your moisturizer to damp skin, directly after cleansing. To get an even bigger boost of hydration, supercharge your moisturizer with a hyaluronic acid serum.
Step Three: Stop Damaging Your Skin Barrier
The third step to getting your dry skin under control is to stop damaging your skin barrier. Stop using too many products, stop using a toner, stop using products with denatured alcohol, stop using fragrance, and stop using a retinoid until your skin is better hydrated.
If these steps do not fix your dry skin, you may have an underlying issue, like chronic irritation, eczema, rosacea, or seborrheic dermatitis, that is preventing you from having healthy, hydrated skin. In this case, you may need a prescription to restore the health of your skin.
By following these three steps, you can get your dry skin under control and feeling more hydrated. Remember to subscribe to Dr. Maren Locke’s channel and follow her on Instagram @thebudgetdermatologist for more budget-friendly skincare advice.
FAQs:
What ingredients should I look for in a moisturizer?
Look for a moisturizer with hero ingredients like ceramides, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid. Make sure to choose a moisturizer with the right consistency, like a cream, for dry skin.
How often should I cleanse my face?
You should only cleanse your face once to twice daily with lukewarm water. Make sure to use a cleanser that is formulated for dry skin.
What should I do if my dry skin does not improve after following these steps?
If these steps do not fix your dry skin, you may have an underlying issue, like chronic irritation, eczema, rosacea, or seborrheic dermatitis, that is preventing you from having healthy, hydrated skin. In this case, you may need a prescription to restore the health of your skin.
