Develop a Skincare Routine for Dry Skin

Do you have dry, tight and sensitive skin on your face? Does it feel uncomfortably dried out, and look flaky and sometimes red, itchy and sore? Then your skin type is dry. Whether you have always had dry skin, or it's the winter weather or harsh skin care products that's caused this, there's no need to worry. By simply developing a quick skin care routine, to help dry skin from the inside and out, your skin will feel great and be moisturized but not oily in no time.

Steps

Mornings

  1. First up, give your face a quick splash with warm water, just to freshen up and open your sleepy eyes.
  2. Now, use a gentle moisturising cleanser, specialized for dry and sensitive skin types. Choose a natural one, or one that (as well as being moisturising) has no harsh chemicals in it. Massage the cleanser into wet skin, and follow the instructions on the product, before rinsing of with warm water.
  3. Then you can use a toner, as they are said to help moisturiser soak in, but some can be harsh and dry out the skin.
    • Use rose water as an alternative.
  4. Next, it's time for moisturiser. If you have any special creams for dry patches, now's the time to apply them, before picking a thin daily moisturiser for sensitive skin. Just apply a thin layer of this, massaging it in with circular motions.
  5. Now, use a day cream or sun cream. This will help protect your skin, and if you choose a moisturising cream for dry and sensitive skin, it will also help keep your skin hydrated throughout the day.
  6. If you like to wear foundation, opt for a tinted moisturiser instead, or a mineral foundation for dry skin. Only apply a little, but if you need extra cover up, use concealer or highlighter.

During the Day

  1. At school morning break time, or at your coffee break, nip to the toilets and apply another thin layer of the moisturiser you used in the morning. Again, massage it in thoroughly, and pay special attention to dry patches. Make sure your moisturiser is oil free, and if your skin still feels moisturised and hydrated before morning break, then skip this step.
  2. While you're in the toilets, take the time to apply a good lip balm or butter (The Body Shop do great ones!). If you still like to wear lipstick and gloss as well, then apply a good layer of the balm before, and then use your lipstick/gloss/colour on top.
  3. Also, buy a big bottle of water at this time. Drinking water re-hydrates the skin from the inside, and even if you all ready have a drink with you, some extra liquid won't do any harm. A large drink will last you throughout the day.
  4. At mid day, it's time for lunch. Grab another drink (as you ought to drink at least 2 litres of water each day), and get a healthy lunch. Water based fruit and veg are recommended to help dry skin, as well as fruit and veg rich in antioxidants and vitamin A, B, and C. A couple of ideas are to bring in a vegetable soup, and a fruit salad for desert, or maybe a healthy salad, a couple of pieces of fruit and some yogurt?
  5. Before you have to go back to work/school/jobs etc after lunch, once again, pop into the toilets again. You may want to top up on some moisturiser or sunscreen.
  6. During the rest of the day, eat healthily, drink loads, and keep on top of your dry skin by moisturising all the time.

Before Bed

  1. Start by getting your self a healthy supper that will help your dry skin. Try a glass of milk with some strawberries.
  2. Next up, splash your face with some lukewarm water, before using a gentle make-up remover. Make sure it's for sensitive or dry skin, as well as being effective.
  3. Now, use the same gentle cleanser as the one used in the mornings, Again, massage it in before rinsing off. You can then use rose water again now if you want.
  4. Next, use a thick creamy moisturiser, or a rich night cream. Using one of these will soak in during the night, and nourish it while you sleep, leaving your skin feeling more moisturised in the morning. Apply a good layer, paying special attention to dryer areas.
  5. Finally, take yourself off to bed, and put a bottle of water in reach.

Once a Week

  1. Weekly, people with oily or combination skin can use an exfoliator to clean pores and to remove dead skin cells. But for people with dry skin, exfoliators can be harsh and drying for the skin. Instead, just gently massage your skin in circular motions with a washcloth to remove dead skin cells before using your daily gentle cleanser and moisturiser.
  2. Also, all skin types can benefit from a face mask once a week. For dry kin, look up homemade face mask recipes or buy a hydrating, moisturising and preferably natural one (Lush have great face masks for all the different skin types!). Common ingredients for homemade face masks for dry skin can include honey, oils, bananas, yogurt, milk and sometimes butter and chocolate.
  3. With this routine, your skin should should be much better in no time. Plus, you'll be getting the benefit of eating healthily if you eat some of the foods mentioned to help dry skin!



Tips

  • Always remember to be happy with the skin you're in!
  • Get an early night, as another key thing for great skin is sleep. It brightens the skin, gets rid of dark circles under your eyes, and refreshes your skin while you sleep. So beauty sleep really does exist!
  • People with dry skin should avoid using hot water on their skin, as it often makes skin feel tight and dry.
  • Don't have the time to go out to buy a moisturiser? Just mix a teaspoon of oil (such as coconut or avocado), with 2 teaspoons of honey and about 2 teaspoons of rosewater, and pour into a small container. This moisturiser is natural and gentle on the skin, so you could add bigger amounts of the ingredients so there will be more applications of it.
  • Being in water for excessive periods can dry out skin as well. When you are in a pool, you actually sweat more than out of water, and this can cause your skin to be less hydrated and itchy. Most pools also have chlorine which can sting and irritate skin too, so reduce swimming pool sessions.
  • When choosing your daily cleanser, pick a gentle creamy one that is alcohol free. Foam cleansers can be drying.
  • Are you not too keen on plain water? Prefer something with a little flavour? Just squeeze the juice out of some of the fruits mentioned earlier and add to a glass a water. It'll taste great!
  • Are you on the way to school/work while reading this and have dry skin but haven't done any of the above? Don't worry, there's one thing that will save your dry skin in the mean time. Vaseline, petroleum jelly or aloe vera gel! Most girls women, and sometimes men have this kind of thing with them at all times. They'll soothe dry patches and relieve dry tight skin.
  • As water is one of the key things for moisturised, hydrated skin, whenever you use moisturiser, splash your face first, and without petting it dry, apply your moisturiser. This will help the water soak in.
  • Look up healthy recipes which involve fruit and veg with vitamin A, B and C in them (for skin repair and renewal), and are water based (for hydration). Some vegetables include carrot, celery, cucumbers, peppers and spinach, and some fruits are strawberries, oranges, grapes, blueberries, tomatoes and apricots.
  • You might be in a rush, but when using your cleanser, one of the most important things to do is massage it in. This will stimulate oil to produce in your skin.
  • If you're at home at lunch time, why not cook up an omelet with peppers and spinach on top, then blend some of the fruits mentioned or a healthy smoothie snack? Or maybe try a homemade soup with some of the vegetables mentioned or add some of them to a stew or casserole, and make a fruit pavlova, tart, salad or ice cream for desert? You could even just sprinkle some chopped fruit or veg mentioned over some of your favourite dishes!
  • Exercise and fresh air can do wonders to your skin. Why not walk to school, or take a walk round the park in your lunch break? Or maybe take the time to go for a jog after work/school. You could end up developing a new hobby!
  • Choose foods which have a high sulfur content, such as eggs.
  • Excessive sunlight can dry your skin out. Be sure to apply sunscreen and follow correct sun safety procedures to avoid itchy and irritated skin.
  • Note that excessive moisturising in a period of heat means oily moisturizers not absorbing due to sweat and instead mixing with it, causing you to be uncomfortable and moist. During summer, this will affect you the worst, but there isn't any actual way to avoid this.

Warnings

  • Do the same for sensitive skin (which is very dry, becomes inflamed and gets irritated easily, is itchy and often red and sore), and normal skin (which manageable and balanced).
  • Not sure if a product will irritate your skin? Do a patch test by simply applying a little of the product on the back of your wrist. Leave for quite a long time, and if the area becomes irritated, red, itchy or sore in anyway, wash it all of, discontinue use, throw the product in the bin, and certainly do NOT put the product anywhere near you skin again, or anywhere near your face!
  • If your skin is really dry and doesn't seem to be improving, you might have a skin condition such as eczema. See your doctor.
  • Remember to follow all instructions carefully on the product you'll be using.
  • Read the ingredients on the back of all moisturizers, cleanser, lip balms etc, to make sure you aren't allergic to any of the ingredients. If you are, don't use the product!
  • When applying any cream, cleanser, balm etc to your skin, be careful to avoid your eyes and hairline. If the product isn't for the lips, avoid your lips as well when applying.
  • Alternatively, if you have oily skin, look up routines for that skin type to develop some great ways on how to manage with it.
  • Do you have dry patches on your skin, but also oily areas? Or do you have dryer cheeks and an oily T-zone, prone to spots? Then you have combination skin. Instead of following this routine, look up routines for combination skin, as some of this routine for dry skin may be to moisturising for oily areas.
  • If you know that a particular brand or product irritates your skin in anyway, then don't use it at all.
  • If you are allergic to any foods mentioned, do not make, eat or drink them.
  • You will be very impressed with the results if you follow this routine!

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