Many people struggle with various skin conditions, but dry skin is one of the most common issues to experience. In fact, most people will suffer from dry, flaky skin at least once in their lifetime. In many cases, dry skin is a constant issue, and there are many reasons for this condition. You might think moisturizing is always the answer, but there may be a different explanation for why your skin is dry even when you moisturize. Follow along to learn more about caring for your dry skin.
Using a Harsh Cleanser
Using a harsh cleanser is one of the most common reasons why your skin may feel or appear dry. Because many cleansing products contain drying or toxic ingredients, they may damage your skin’s moisture barrier. That said, switching to a gentle cleanser is one of the best things you can do to boost your overall skin health. Even though textured face washes may be good to use occasionally, daily use can lead to dry skin as a result of excessive scrubbing.
Not Drinking Enough Water
Although many people think of their skin in terms of exterior care, they may not believe that other factors can impact their skin. For instance, if your body is dehydrated, your skin might reflect it. If you don’t drink at least 64 ounces daily, dry skin is a plausible bodily response. So be diligent about consuming as much water as possible.
Over-Cleansing Your Face
Even if you feel like your face is oily or shiny, over-cleansing your skin isn’t the answer. Interestingly, you might think your skin is oily, but it’s actually dry. If you continually strip your face of its natural oils, called sebum, your body will overproduce sebum, making you feel or look oily. That said, you should only wash your face twice daily to remove dirt, oil, makeup, etc. Cleansing more frequently can damage your moisture barrier and cause dry skin.
Not Exfoliating Enough
Even though you may not notice it, your skin changes daily. Because it sheds to reveal new skin underneath, you can always have beautiful and bright skin. However, not exfoliating enough can hinder the shedding process. You may have dead cells on your skin’s surface, which can make you appear dry and dull. With that in mind, using a mechanical or chemical exfoliant a few times weekly can help rid your face of dead skin cells.
Caution
Don’t exfoliate more than twice weekly—it can damage the fresh layer of skin.
Now that you know why your skin is dry even when you moisturize, you should consider skin care for dry, acne-prone skin to ensure you’re using the best products. Your skin is your largest organ; do everything you can to take excellent care of it.