DRY, FLAKY SKIN ON YOUR FACE: THE CAUSES &
HOW TO FIX THEM
This article is sponsored and posted by Proven Skincare.
When it comes to the
perfect complexion, words like “dewy,” “smooth,” “hydrated,” and
“youthful-looking” all come to mind—but “dry” and “flaky?” Not so much. Dry,
flaky skin on your face is clearly not the skin type most people strive for—and
if you’re a person who struggles with dry or flaky skin, you know what a
struggle it can be to get your complexion back on track. But getting the
hydrated and smooth complexion you crave certainly isn’t impossible. The key to
getting rid of dry, flaky skin on your face? Understanding where it comes
from—and the proper way to treat it. If you're looking for information on how
to fix flaky skin, and the best way to get rid of it - you've come to the right
place.
Dry Skin Causes
Dryness is a common
skin issue—but it doesn’t make having dry skin on your face any easier. If you
struggle with dryness, the key to getting your skin properly hydrated is
understanding the root cause.
Dry skin on your face
is typically the result of one of two issues: natural dryness or dehydration.
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- Natural dryness
If you struggle with
dryness, it might just be a side effect of your skin type. Your skin type is
determined by how much oil or sebum your skin produces. If your skin produces
an abundance of oil, giving it a shiny appearance and “slick” feeling, you have
an oily skin type. If your skin only produces oil in specific areas of the face
(most commonly the forehead, chin, and nose, also known as the T-zone), you
have combination skin. If your skin is fairly balanced in its oil production,
you have what’s considered a normal skin type. And if your skin doesn’t produce
enough oil, you have dry skin. People with a dry skin type typically struggle
with skin that feels overly tight, sensitive, and (obviously) dry. This can
also manifest as flaky skin, a.k.a. dead skin cells, depending on the
individual.
- Dehydration
If your dryness isn’t
a result of your skin type, chances are, your skin is dehydrated. With a
dehydrated complexion, your skin still produces oil—it just lacks the water it
needs to stay properly hydrated. A telltale sign your skin is dehydrated? An
oily surface—but skin that feels tight, irritated, and overly dry underneath.
This lack of water can lead to you experiencing dehydrated flaky skin, or tight
flaky skin.
Flaky Skin Causes
Dry skin is a definite
problem—but when you add flaky skin to the equation, it gets even more
difficult to manage. This can happen for all sorts of reasons. Excessive
dryness or dehydration, a reaction to a skincare product, or a symptom of a
more serious skin condition (like eczema or psoriasis) can be some of the
culprits. Lack of a proper skin care regimen or a consistent skincare routine
can also cause issues. If you don't cleanse your skin on a regular basis, dirt,
oil, and dead skin cells will buildup on the skin barrier, causing clogged
pores, irritation, and itchy skin. Many people also find they only have a flaky
T-zone, or that they need to address flaky skin or dry patches on a certain
area of the face.
Read: HOW TO MAKE YOUR SKIN SOFT AND BEAUTIFUL
Before treating flaky
skin, it’s important to determine where the flakiness is coming from. You could
be sleeping in dry conditions or dry air (air-conditioned room) which can
affect the skin. Try using a humidifier at night. The added moisture in the air will
help. The COVID-19 pandemic is wreaking havoc on our daily routines. We are
skipping showers, not washing our faces every day. Dirt is sitting on the
skin's surface. Sunbathing (or the dreaded sunburn) will also contribute to
issues as well as taking hot showers or dealing with a medical condition that
requires certain medications —all causes of the issue.
How to Treat Dry, Flaky Skin On Your Face?
So, now that we
covered the potential causes of dry, flaky skin on your face, let’s jump into
the good stuff—how to treat it.
There are many
different suggestions and home remedies for how to fix dry, flaky skin on the
internet, however here are a few trusted treatments that can have your
complexion smooth and hydrated in no time:
- Use more emollient moisturizers
If your skin is
naturally dry, it’s important to use be moisturizing your skin in the am and
pm. In the daytime, use a hydrating oil (which will easily penetrate the skin)
or a light moisturizer or lotion containing ceramides or alpha hydroxyl acids.
These ingredients will help hydrate the skin throughout the day and will not
irritate sensitive skin. A sunscreen-based moisturizer is always a good idea, every
day. Just ask any dermatologist.
At night, substitute a
thicker night cream (more emollient creams may not penetrate completely into
the skin upon application, but that’s ok—they’ll continue hydrating your skin
while you sleep). Shea-Butter is known for its intense moisturizing properties.
Use products with retinoid with caution, they may act as an irritant to more
sensitive skin types.
- Exfoliating skin will remove the flakes in a
flash.
Use a gentle
exfoliating product (nothing with microbeads or abrasive "shell"
ingredients). Apply to a warm washcloth and gently massage skin. Rinse away
with warm water and pat dry. Ensure water temperature as hot water will just
irritate and further dry skin. If flaking seems to be constant, plan to
exfoliate skin at least once a week to keep the skin's surface in peak condition.
- Replenish your skin’s hydration level with
hyaluronic acid
If your dryness is a
result of dehydration, it’s important to replenish the water in your skin—which
you can do with hyaluronic acid.
Hyaluronic acid is a humectant that can bind up to 1000 times its weight in water—and it’s a miracle
ingredient when it comes to treating dehydrated skin. Layer a hyaluronic acid
serum onto your skin after cleanser and before moisturizer twice a day for the best
results.
- Talk to your dermatologist
If your skin doesn’t
respond to at-home treatments or if you suspect the dry, flaky skin on your face is a result of a more serious skin condition, make an appointment with
your dermatologist. They may be able to recommend a prescription-strength skin care regimen to help get your flakiness and dryness under control.
Read: How to Beautify your Face with Facial Scrub Today
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