The Best Skincare Routine for Extra-Dry Skin

Ask anyone that's lived with dry skin, and they will tell you it's uncomfortable. Cracking, itching, or scaling skin doesn't just look unattractive; it can also negatively affect your health because it could be the window through which bacteria and germs enter your body. 

The good news: you can take measures to fight dry skin successfully. This article focuses on the best skincare routine for extra-dry skin. 

What Causes Dry Skin 

To understand the importance of each stage of the skincare routine we introduce in this piece, it's important to briefly touch on the cause of dry skin. 

Healthline.com, lists several causes of dry skin: 

• Environment: including cold, dry weather. 
• Excessive washing: damages the skin’s natural compounds responsible for retaining moisture. 
• Exposure to irritants: can result in skin damage that would lead to it being unable to retain moisture.   
• Genetics: the biggest factor influencing whether an individual has dry skin.  
• Medical conditions: like eczema and psoriasis can cause skin dryness. 

Here are the steps that will help you deal with dry skin: 

As you go about your day-to-day activities, your skin accumulates impurities and dead skin cells. For this reason, any skincare routine should start with cleansing to get rid of these impurities before applying other products. 

While face cleansing is integral to your skincare routine, it's vital to be careful when selecting the products you use. Because chronically dry skin can be sensitive, select a gentle cleanser like the Obagi Nu-Derm Gentle Cleanser.   

Dermatologists also generally advise that if your skin is excessively dehydrated, you should cleanse it only once a day at night. In the morning, you can just use water to wash your face. You should also consider using different cleansers for different seasons.

Skin toner is a product you apply after cleansing the face to lay the foundation for your moisturizer. There was a time when advising someone to use toner when dealing with extra-dry skin was a cardinal sin. 

So, what has changed now that almost every dermatologist is recommending a toner as the second stage of an effective skincare routine for people with chronic dry skin? Technology has created non-alcoholic skin toners. 

Find a water-based toner formulated with citric and lactic acids like the Elta MD Skin Recovery Toner. These ingredients will make the skin smoother and clearer by removing dead skin cells and other impurities.  

When it comes to extra-dry skin, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. You will need to determine the reason for your dry skin and find products that address the specific problem. 

For example, if your skin is dry because you are not drinking enough water, the remedy will be to drink more water. On the other hand, dryness emanating from aging could be treated using one of the best serums for dry skin, such as the best-selling SkinMedica TNS Advanced Plus Serum. Or if your skin is irritated, then you should consider what else may be causing the irritation before choosing a targeted product to help.

It's not surprising that applying a moisturizer is the fourth step in most recommended routines for dry skin. These are products used to increase your skin's water content and retain that moisture all day long. These products are manufactured from ingredients that include humectants, occlusive, and emollients, all substances that allow the skin to maintain moisture. 

When selecting a moisturizer, consider focusing on gentle ingredients because dry skin is sensitive, while still ensuring effectiveness. Our favorite is the SkinMedica HA5 Rejuvinating Hydrator.

You have worked so hard to ensure your skin is moist; your final step is to protect your gains. Find a sunscreen that will help protect your skin from the adverse impact of the sun's UV rays. 

Apart from applying sunscreen, other daily habits that can help maintain your skin healthy and moist include the following: 

• Staying hydrated is essential. After all, the skin is our largest organ and needs water to thrive.
• Caffeine can lead to dry skin, so you may want to consume drinks containing it in moderation. 
• Wear proper protective equipment clothing during windy, rainy, hot, humid, or cold weather. 

Know When to Seek Help

There are nuances to everyone’s skin, and it is a great idea to consult with a dermatologist if you have excessively dry skin that cannot be repaired with a regular skincare routine. You should also see a specialist if your dry skin affects other areas of your life, such as sleep or the ability to socialize. But for most dry skin sufferers, the dry skin routine we’ve outlined above has powerful affects, transforming skin to be moisturized, luminous, and supple. If you have any questions about these products, consider a free consultation with our on-staff cosmetic and plastic surgeon, Dr. V, and his expert staff before you buy.