Dry Skin On Your Face – A Complete Guide

Most of us have experienced patchy, dry skin on face at least once in our lives. And, as much as we’d like to have the perfect skin unceasingly, we know that it is bound to change given the countless things that we make it go through. No matter what, you will always be curious to know about your skin’s moods and habits. With this article, we hope to answer some of your questions about dry skincare, its causes, remedies, and dry skin treatments. 

What are the causes of dry skin on face?

There can never be only one reason as to why your skin behaves the way it does. While there are myriad factors that account for the nature of your skin, the most obvious culprits of dry skin on face are lack of hydration and moisture. But do you ever wonder what leads to a lack of moisture in your skin? 

Impaired skin barrier and deficiency of healthy fats in the top layer of the skin are a couple of the major causes of rough skin. Dead cells and natural oils establish the top layer and help in trapping moisture to keep the skin soft and supple, while also maintaining its elasticity. But when the water and moisture in this top layer go below its actual requirement, the skin stops producing its natural oils and changes its nature to dry. 

Apart from the above, other underlying causes can include: 

Aging

Although dry and rough skin can affect anyone, aging skin is more susceptible to dryness. As you age, your skin’s ability to retain moisture reduces. Over time, skin tends to lose suppleness and elasticity as it becomes more fragile, thinner, and drier.

Cold Weather

Chilly weather is the toughest on your skin, especially if it’s naturally dry. Low humidity levels and temperatures result in dry air that draws moisture out of the skin, making it itchy, and flaky. 

Indoor Heating

Your indoor heaters might give you warmth and make you feel comfortable momentarily, but the result of exposure to this dry air is often, not only dehydrated and dry skin on face but also chapped lips, dry nose, and throat, amongst many others.  

Hot Baths and Showers

Long showers with hot water can lead to loss of moisture in the skin. Additionally, exposure to chemically treated water like swimming pools with chlorine is also one of the reasons for your skin to become dry. 

Excessive Exposure to the Sun 

Skin, when exposed to harsh rays of the sun on a frequent basis, loses its moisture and essential oils that protect its barrier. This changes the skin’s texture to dry, flaky, and prematurely wrinkled, not only for older but also younger skin. 

What are the symptoms of dry skin?

Owing to the list of causes that can vary with changes in your age, health, surroundings, and lifestyle habits, the symptoms of dry skin on face can be different for everyone. In addition to these reasons that might be affecting the condition of your skin, there are various signs which reveal that your skin is crying for help. If you feel that your skin is – 

• Stinging
• Itching 
• Peeling
• Cracking
• Flaky
• Dehydrated
• Wrinkled with a rough texture
• Ashy and tight

Then it is most definitely dry and seeks hydration and care. Dry skin treatment can often be done at home, with nourishing products or DIY recipes that soothe the skin. 

How to get rid of dry skin on face?

Luckily, some of the causes are under our control, and with additional effort towards dry skin care, you could possibly assuage the symptoms, resulting in hydrated and healthier skin. 

Moisturize

Applying a nourishing moisturizer to your skin is as important as it is for you to breathe. The oxygen that your skin needs, moisturizers give life to dull, dehydrated skin. Why are they imperative, you ask? For starters, a good moisturizer rehydrates the topmost layer of the skin cells, seals in the moisture, and leaves it smooth and supple. Isn’t that what your skin is craving for? 

A good skin care routine for dry skin will always include a moisturizer. This helps in keeping the moisture levels in check, resulting in healthier, hydrated, and softer skin. Explore the Forest Essentials Soundarya Radiance Cream, an exceptionally rich and iconic concoction infused with the potency of 24 Karat Gold and pure Desi Ghee that moisturizes your skin along with providing age-defying benefits. 

Exfoliate

As the temperature gets lower and the air gets colder, skin cells tend to dehydrate faster, resulting in flaky and dull skin. While moisturizing is key, it is also vital to inculcate exfoliation into the skin care routine for dry skin. Exfoliation helps in gently removing dead skin cells, restoring fresh ones, cleansing away grime, and revitalizing dull skin for a healthy glow. All this while retaining the skin’s natural oil content, and further enhancing the properties of your moisturizer. 

Click here to know more about the relevance and importance of exfoliation and why it should be incorporated in your skin care routine for dry skin, especially during winter. 

Avoid Showering with Hot Water

A no-brainer, using hot and harsh water is one of the most common reasons for dry skin, especially in winter. Excessive exposure of the skin to hot water causes rashes, burns, and even damages to the skin barrier. Bless your skin by replacing hot water baths with lukewarm water to avoid your skin from becoming dry. 

For dry skin care, we also suggest you reduce your time in the shower to a maximum of 10 minutes. Excessive exposure of your skin to water has the potential to leave it drier than before.

Avoid Harsh, Drying Cleansers

Many facial cleansers sap moisture from your skin as they are formulated with harsh additives that are meant to cleanse your skin of any dirt, grime, and greasiness. Opt for gentle facial cleansers with moisturizing properties that, along with cleansing, also provide your skin with the nourishment that it needs. 

May we suggest you explore the Forest Essentials Facial Cleanser Mashobra Honey, Lemon, and Rosewater that is specially concocted with a medley of fresh Ayurvedic herbs and ingredients to cleanse, tone, and nourish the skin without snatching away its natural oils. This cleanser is crafted to rehydrate, purify, and add a natural glow to your complexion.

Natural Remedies for Treating Dry Skin

All that said, we know that finding the ideal products for dry skin types can be a tricky task. Every so often, skin types that are dry also tend to be more towards the sensitive side for which your kitchen, and not the drugstore, might hold the secrets to the best AQs. Here are a few ingredients, regular application of which, could help in healing and treating dry skin – 

Coconut and Almond Oils

When it comes to treating dry skin, the thought of applying nutrient-rich oils doesn’t come as a surprise. Coconut or Almond oils, easily found lying in your kitchen/bathroom cabinet, are known to have multiple benefits – treatment of dry skin being one of them. Oils tend to have essential fatty acids along with other properties and nutrients that protect the skin from damages related to dryness amongst many others.

May we suggest you explore the nutrient-rich Cold Pressed Virgin Coconut Oil and Cold Pressed Virgin Almond Oil from Forest Essentials to instantly relieve and treat dry skin. Extracted from high-quality Ayurvedic herbs and made using the old-fashioned cold process method, massage this exceptionally rich yet light-textured organic oil on your skin to tone and nourish it with a healthy and lustrous glow. 

Honey

The secret weapon that is lying in your kitchen, Honey is renowned for its nourishing and moisturizing properties. You can simply apply Honey on the affected area to reap its hydrating benefits or whip up a tablespoon each of Gram Flour and Honey along with 2 tablespoons of Milk to make a face pack. Apply this on the face and neck area and leave until dry. Do this once or twice a week to leave your skin clean, nourished, and glowing.

Sandalwood

If you have dry and patchy skin, Sandalwood essential oil should be your holy grail! It works excellently for dry skin, given its lubricating and nourishing properties. It has the dual benefit of not only improving skin imbalances but also helping soothe anxiety and sleeplessness when infused in skincare products for dry skin. 

Mix 1 tablespoon of Sandalwood powder and 1 teaspoon of Rose petal powder with milk to form a fine paste. Apply this on the face and neck area and leave for 15 minutes. Do this once or twice a week for smooth, supple skin.

Click here to read more about the wonders that Sandalwood can do. 

Aloe Vera 

According to Ayurveda, the healing and soothing properties of Aloe Vera combine to restore and repair the health of your skin. Often used to heal acne and breakouts, this modest houseplant, when incorporated in a skin care routine for dry skin, can help in treating dryness. Aloe Vera has properties that alleviate irritation, redness, and rashes that are caused by excessive dryness. 

Forest Essentials prepares the most efficacious Ayurvedic products, infused with superior and high-quality ingredients, one of which is the Light Hydrating Facial Gel Pure Aloe Vera. Prepared with organic Aloe Vera gel and juice procured from the most potent type of Aloe Vera plant – Aloe Barbadensis, this moisturizing gel soothes and refreshes the skin. It contains Ayurvedic, Wheat Germ, and floral water extracts that act as natural humectants which replenish the skin’s moisture and renew skin cells. 

Want to know more about how and why you should use Aloe Vera in your daily skincare routine? Click here to find out. 

Takeaway

Dry skin, just like any other skin type, can be treated if you take care of its daily needs and requirements. Protect, soothe, and treat your skin with gentle, moisturizing, and rich textured products and ingredients that suit and benefit your skin the most. Consult a doctor if you develop any serious dry skin symptoms. 

FAQs

What is a good skin care routine for dry skin? 

A good skincare routine always consists of 3 basic steps – cleansing, toning, and moisturizing. But, to find the ideal skincare routine for your skin, you would require additional steps that target your specific skin concerns, namely dryness. Follow the below-mentioned skin care routine for dry skin. You can tailor this daily skincare ritual as per what you feel your skin requires the most. 

• Step 1 – Start by cleansing your skin with a gentle, oil-based facial cleanser that purifies without stripping the skin of its natural oils.
• Step 2 – Tone your skin with an alcohol-free toner that doesn’t disrupt its pH levels and has hydrating and moisturizing benefits. 
• Step 3 – Facial oils add an extra lift of glow and hydration to your skin. They make sure that your skin stays hydrated and seal in the moisture for a longer period to avoid dryness. After soothing your skin with a toner, pat it with a thick facial serum or oil. This step would add the extra dollop of care to your skin, making it plump, soft, and smooth. 
• Step 4 – Last but not least- moisturize! Literally, what your skin thrives on, apply a liberal amount of your favorite rich textured face cream or a moisturizer that gives your skin the ultimate hydration that it craves. 

How do you take care of dry skin?

We’re sure everyone is a fan of wearing healthy, glowing skin. But, as we mentioned above, there can be certain reasons as to why your skin behaves the way it does. Look after your skin by drinking plenty of water and following a skincare routine that caters to your specific skin concerns. If you feel that dryness, redness, or any other symptom is aggravating, it is best to consult a doctor who can diagnose and further treat your concerns in the best way possible.

You can start by speaking with our certified Ayurvedic doctors to get answers to all your beauty questions and more. Click here to get expert recommendations for your unique skin and hair care concerns. 

Is Vitamin C good for dry skin?

Vitamin C is known to protect the skin barrier which ultimately helps in reserving moisture into the skin for longer. However, it is best to do a patch test before proper application to avoid any allergies or reactions.