Problems with dry skin are common and the skin's condition can also vary throughout the seasons.
Whether you have dry skin all year round or just right now, we have the solution for how you can manage dry skin.
Contents
What is dry skin?
You get dry skin when the skin lacks sebum. But you need to distinguish between dry and surface dry skin, as they are two completely different things.
When the skin lacks water, it becomes surface dry. The epidermis (the outermost part of the skin) is poor in moisture and dehydrated.
Read more about surface dry skin and how to distinguish between surface dry and dry skin.
Common signs of dry skin are:
- dry and white skin flakes.
- flaky skin.
- rough skin.
- irritated and red skin.
- tendency to problematic skin such as eczema, itching, psoriasis, dermatitis.
- tight feeling especially after showering, bathing, or swimming.
- both small superficial and larger deeper skin cracks that can bleed.
This is why you get dry skin
Dry skin is a very common skin type that can affect anyone at some point. To avoid and understand dry skin, it is good to know the causes of the problem.
Age
Sebum production is controlled by androgens (sex hormones). Generally, children have low sebum production, which then increases during puberty and can start to decrease already from the age of 20.
Sebum production in men does not decrease significantly until around 70-80 years of age. For women, sebum production decreases quite quickly from around 40 years old or when menopause begins.
So it is absolutely right to apply extra moisturizer to the skin of children and adults, as the need changes throughout life.
Weather and heat
Although the sun and warm weather can dry out the skin, it is still driest in winter:
- when temperature and humidity drop sharply.
- when it is exposed to large temperature fluctuations.
- when indoor humidity becomes extra low, for example when the stove, radiator, or kitchen oven is on.
- when the skin is exposed to heat combined with water such as warm showers or baths.
The moisture from the skin's outermost layer cannot stay and evaporates. The skin becomes surface dry. Skin that is already dry can start to flake, become red, and itch. Then the skin needs both oil and moisture.
Water and soap
Water itself is drying, and combined with overly strong soaps and cleansers, the skin quickly becomes dry on the surface, especially in winter. By continuing to wash away too much of the skin's natural sebum (the skin's natural oil), it eventually becomes dry deep down.
If the skin does not get extra fats (via creams or oils), the outer drier skin layer will be lubricated with oils from deeper skin layers. You could say that the sebum is "taken and moved" to the skin's surface and dries in from within.
Incorrect skincare products
It is not only soaps and water that can dry out the skin.
- Coarse cloths, makeup wipes, and cleansing brushes (made of fiber strands) are examples of things that create a lot of friction against the skin and wipe away too much of the skin's protective fat.
- Detox masks and clay masks can be too absorbing and drying for winter skin. They are better suited for oily skin.
- Trying to remove dry flakes and flaky skin with scrubs or peeling is a good idea. However, it can easily become too much, weakening the skin barrier, making it thin, sensitive, and dry over time.
- It is crucial to adapt skincare according to the season. Fear of acne or oily skin from too rich creams and oils means the skin does not get the extra fat it needs in winter. This can ultimately lead to both acne and dry skin.
- The fear of using vegetable oils causes many to instead choose to moisturize with creams and oils based on petroleum oils.
At first, it can feel incredibly softening, but in the long run, it acts like a barrier that prevents the skin from absorbing both moisture and fat, drying it out from within. Feel free to learn more about the difference between vegetable and petroleum-based oils.
- Another mistaken idea is that creams make the skin dependent. Refusing to moisturize the skin when it is dry and in greatest need of fat and hydration only makes the skin even drier. In the worst case, the skin can crack.
Petroleum oils prevent the skin from absorbing fat and moisture. This makes the skin drier and therefore increases the need for moisturizing. This is experienced as the skin becoming "dependent on" products. In reality, it means the skin becomes even drier from the wrong types of products.
Unbalanced diet
Besides weather effects, an unbalanced diet is the most common underlying cause of dry skin. Generally, water-draining foods can make the skin dry:
- Alcohol and coffee.
- Salty food.
- Food without healthy fats.
Junk food, sugar, and carbohydrates can dry out the skin indirectly by negatively affecting collagen production in the skin. This can lead to more wrinkles, dullness, and moisture-deficient skin.
How to get rid of dry skin
Fixing dry skin is relatively easy. You need to add more oils to the skin and minimize things that dry it out. Now we will go through step by step what helps against dry skin.
Turning down the heat
It’s nice to have proper warmth sometimes. However, try to save your skin by:
- turn down the radiator a bit and instead get cozy with warm socks and a sweater.
- avoid long, hot showers and baths.
- use a humidifier to increase indoor humidity.
Adjust your skincare routine
Skincare products that are natural, organic, and toxin-free are preferable if you want to get rid of dry skin. Here’s how to best adjust your skincare routine when you want to treat dry skin.
Cleanser for dry skin
When it comes to daily washing:
- Switch to a cleanser that doesn’t foam and doesn’t leave the skin feeling tight afterward.
Tips for cleansers suitable for dry skin: i+m Clean Beauty Gentle Cream Cleanser, Odylique Silk Touch Cleanser, and Odylique Creamy Coconut Cleanser.
- Try OCM (oil cleansing method) where you wash your face with oil like almond oil. This reduces contact with water while deeply cleansing the skin. Be sure to wipe off all cleansing oil with a damp cloth.
We also have ready-made oils to remove makeup and dirt.
Keep in mind that deep-cleansing masks like clays, detox masks, and similar can be too drying on already dry skin. This is what you can do if you have blemished and dry skin:
- Use clay masks and purifying masks only in the T-zone.
- Mix a few drops of facial oil into your face mask to make it more nourishing.
- Face masks containing clays tend to dry quickly, which makes them “absorb” moisture and oils from the skin. Always keep it moist with a toner or facial water. It’s also fine to place a warm, damp cloth over your face while the mask works.
- Try a cleansing mask that is not drying, such as a face mask with rose quartz.
Exfoliate dead skin cells
Exfoliate or scrub regularly but not excessively to make it easier for the skin to absorb nutrients from your skincare products. Follow your product’s instructions and do not treat the skin more often than recommended.
Good exfoliators for dry skin:
Evolve Radiant Glow Mask
Evolve Miracle Mask.
Face mask for dry skin
Face masks are great to use when you want quick results.
These organic face masks provide the skin with plenty of nourishment: Evolve Radiant Glow Mask, Inlight Beauty Superfood Mask, and Inlight Beauty Chocolate Mask.
Moisturize every day
Facial toner for dry skin
A moisturizing facial toner is a must for dehydrated skin. For dry skin, facial toner is not as important.
There are still benefits to using facial toner on dry skin:
- if you have dry and dehydrated skin.
- if your skin dries out quickly between steps in your skincare routine. When the skin is dry, it has difficulty absorbing products and they mostly sit on the surface. Then a facial toner is perfect to use before applying serum, cream, and oil so the products absorb more effectively.
Tips on facial toners suitable for dry skin: Evolve Daily Defence Moisture Mist with Prebiotic i+m Naturkosmetik Deep Water Hydrator Eco By Sonya Skin Compost Super Fruit Toner Inlight Floral Tonic
Serum for dry skin
Make sure to use serum as it penetrates the deeper skin layers. Choose a more nourishing serum that provides both moisture and fat.
Tips on serums that help with dry skin: - i+m Age Protect Serum - i+m Naturkosmetik Freistil Hyaluronic Serum - i+m Naturkosmetik Lifting Boost Immortelle Hyaluron - Odylique Superfruit Concentrate
Facial cream for dry skin
Use a richer and nourishing facial cream that can moisturize dry skin and keep it soft for a long time.
- If it feels tight or looks dry after your facial cream has absorbed, you need a richer cream or to apply facial oil on top of your facial cream.
- If you have areas (usually the T-zone) that easily become shiny or are more prone to acne, you can apply a thin layer of facial cream or lighter facial lotion on those areas. This preserves moisture in the skin and prevents it from evaporating.
Facial creams that really quench dry skin’s thirst are Inlight Beauty Deep Moisture Balm, Evolve Daily Renew Facial Cream, and Dr. Sanna’s Multi Cream.
If you want to use a night cream in the evening, we recommend these for dry skin: 100% Pure Multi-vitamin + Antioxidants Ultra Riché PM Treatment, Inlight Beauty Nightbalm, and Evolve Nightly Renew Facial Cream.
Facial oil for dry skin
The great thing about facial oils for dry skin types is that they can be used:
- as a cleansing oil.
- instead of day and night creams.
- on top of day and night creams.
- to enrich other skincare products.
It’s especially important that the skin is moist (and clean) when you apply facial oil. Then the oil sinks into the skin instead of just sitting on top.
Tips on oils suitable for dry skin: Green Avocado Oil Inlight Beauty Face Oil Eco by Sonya Glory Oil
Eat a balanced diet
Nourishing your skin from the inside with the right diet is an effective way to get rid of dry skin. It’s important that the diet is varied and balanced.
Sometimes it can be helpful to keep a diary of what you eat. That way you can easily see if your diet is one-sided. It’s also wise to note how much you eat of everything. Is it 10% vegetables on the plate or 90%? When the skin is dry, you need to get more healthy fats.
Try:
- increase your intake of healthy fatty acids. An easy way is to drizzle extra virgin olive oil on your plate.
- eat more omega-3 rich foods like avocado, seeds, nuts, fish, and shellfish.
- take omega-3 supplements. The Medical Products Agency recommends that we should get 2.5-3 grams of omega-3 fat every day.
- eat less of things that cause dry skin.
