How to Fix Dry Skin

If you want to know how to fix dry skin, look no further. Whether you have dry skin all year around or are feeling a little bit crispier than usual, in the midst of a deep winter cracking, having dry skin is no fun.

We can all feel a bit flaky from time to time, after being out in the wind or being a little overzealous with our new face wash and getting a peely nose or lips it is important to understand the specifics of having dry skin as your ‘type’ and how to make seasonal adaptations to take care of it.

You would be forgiven for thinking the best way to combat dryness is to simply slather yourself in the oiliest lotion you can get your hands on, but STOP.

Too much oil is just as bad, if not worse, than not enough oil.

Applying more moisturiser to your skin and thinking it will eventually be adsorbed is counterintuitive as this often actually reduces your skin’s own oil production, making your skin drier in the long run.

So, how to fix dry skin?

Taking the time to put together your own skincare routine can prove invaluable. Dry skin often feels tight and sometimes itchy. Drinking plenty of water and reducing your caffeine intake can make a big difference by preventing dehydration of your skin which can then turn dry and itchy.

Other important factors such as your diet, hormones, climate and even your genes can also contribute to having dry skin.

Personalising a skincare routine to suit your own needs is key in how to fix dry skin, as only you know what your diet is like and which factors may be playing a part.

Working out a good skincare routine will help you fix your dry skin and should look something like this:

Exfoliate

Gently exfoliating your skin helps to get rid of dead skin and means that any products you use afterwards can penetrate the skin more deeply and actually WORK.

You can do this by using a face brush, some of my favourites are the Clarisonic Mia Smart or the Foreo LUNA Play (which I take with me when I travel) and by occasionally using gentle acids.

It’s important not to go overboard when exfoliating as this can make dry skin skin worse.

Eradikate by Kate Somerville is a popular exfoliating treatment that will leave your skin smooth and soft with one treatment, its best to use this only once or twice per week. Whereas Pixi’s Glow Tonic can be used daily to gently exfoliate the skin over time.

Be careful not to over-exfoliate – you want to do this a couple of times per week, max.

Dry

Once clean, pat your face dry with a clean, soft towel or wash cloth. Never rub your face.

Hydrate

Apply a hydrating serum – the best hydrating products often contain hyaluronic acid and can be a game-changer for fixing dry skin on your face.

My favourite hydrating products range from the budget-friendly hyaluronic acid from The Ordinary to the luxurious Treatment Lotion from La Mer.

However you choose to do it, remember to drink lots of water and make sure you put the right hydrating products on your skin.

Oil

You might hesitate to apply an oil directly to your face in fear of a breakout, but the trick is to choose a non-comedongenic oil which has nourishing properties.

Argan oil is rich in anti-inflammatories and oleic acid, which not only nourishes your skin, but also helps combat sebum production, that pesky thing that leads to acne.

Rosehip oil is also a fantastic natural oil to apply to the face which has amazing anti-ageing properties and is a firm favourite of Kate Middleton.

Moisturise

When you are looking for your perfect day cream, search for products that contain elements of the sea such as seaweed as they often hold more water.

Firm favourite mosituriser’s for dry skin include La Mer’s Moisturizing Cream, La Roche Posay’s Toleriane Doubel Repair Moisturiser and Charlotte Tilbury’s Magic Cream.

Remember, it is vital to update your skincare routine on a regular basis. When the seasons change, so must your skincare. If you go on holiday to a country much warmer, more humid or much colder than what your skin is used to, change your skincare routine too.

Whilst winter might be far from over, spring is on the horizon and I am already preparing my spring skincare routine take account of the changes in the weather and hopefully some sunshine.