Basic Skin Care for Dry Skin

Anyone who has dry skin knows how hard it is hard to find the right products to cleanse and moisturize without drying the skin out even further. Here are a few tips and suggestions for a healthy skin regimen designed especially for people with dry skin.

People who have dry skin can experience anything from tightness in the skin to flaking or cracking. Specific products are made for people with this skin type, so it's just a matter of finding the right one for you.

If you have dry skin, try to limit washing it to once a day. The best time to wash your face is in the evening, before bedtime. Massage a milky cleanser into the skin to remove dirt, makeup and buildup of oil, and then rinse with warm water. Don't use hot water, because that only strips away more moisture from the skin. In the morning, only rinsing off the face with warm water is necessary.

Both in the morning and evening, apply a rich cream onto damp skin. Apply the cream after washing your face in the evening, and in the mornings after rinsing off. Thicker creams are better for hydrating dry skin. Ingredients to look for in moisturizers for dry skin include glycerin or petrolatum, which adds moisture without feeling greasy.

As with any skin type, try to look for products that contain a SPF 15 or higher for protection. If you can't find one that's rich enough for dry skin, add the sunscreen to the top of your usual face cream. It's important to always protect the skin from harmful sunrays in order to prevent premature aging or sun damage.

At least once a week, use a face lotion that contains retinol or alpha-hydroxy acids. Retinol is used to stimulate collagen production, filing in lines and wrinkles for a smoother skin surface. The alpha-hydroxy acid breaks down dead skin cells, revealing new, fresher ones underneath. With dry skin, be careful not to use the acids too much, to prevent further drying or irritation.

Dry skin can contain layers of dead skin, which clogs up pores. This also prevents absorption of rich moisturizing creams. To help your skin obtain maximum absorption, exfoliate with a gentle scrub once a week, and then follow with the cream application.

Avoid products or masks that dry skin out further, such as clay facial masks or alcohol based cleansers. These products strip moisture out of the skin leaving it drier than you started with.

By using the right cleansers and exfoliating, dry skin should moisten up within a week. If the condition of the skin has not changed, it may be best to see a dermatologist for prescription moisture cream. Most people dry out their own skin with the wrong products or over-cleaning, so it may just be a matter of time before the skin regains moisture again. If your skin goes from dry to oily, or you experience any other outbreaks, see a professional to determine if any other life factors may be contributing to skin dryness. Winter weather also can lead to more dry skin, so no matter what skin type you have, it's always better to add a little more moisture to the face during colder months.