When you’re asked what type of skin you have, you have no hesitation in answering, “dry.” You’ve pretty much tried every ultra moisturizing cream under the sun, and your skin still feels dry and parched. You’re pretty sure you’ll never find anything that’ll actually fix your dry skin problem. Is this you?
While dry skin is temporary for some — you get it only in winter, for example — it may be a lifelong condition for many. Causes for dry skin can depend on your age, health, genes, where you live and its climate. But the main reason your skin becomes dry is damage to the skin’s natural moisture barrier, which prevents your skin from regulating normal moisture level.
Symptoms of dry skin can include skin tightness, skin that looks and feels rough with or without itching or flaking, fine lines, cracks and even redness. I’ve dealt with dry skin ever since I can remember. The symptoms above describe precisely the way my skin used to be.
Tried and True Skin Care Tips for Dry Skin
Living in Southern California is a dream in so many ways, but if my skin could choose where I live it wouldn’t be Los Angeles, where it’s desert-dry and always, always sunny. However, over time, especially after launching Ohlolly last year, I’ve learned how to best take care of my dry skin. The key is in understanding that the condition and appearance of skin are directly related to its moisture content, and that protecting your skin’s moisture barrier is the start of every good skin care regimen. Even though I still have dry skin, I don’t suffer from it anymore. Read on to learn the skin care tips I use and say goodbye to your dry skin forever.
SKIP YOUR MORNING CLEANSING
Yes, that’s right. Don’t wash your face with cleanser in the morning. Simply rinse your face with lukewarm water and then use a cotton pad and toner to wipe your face clean. That’s all for cleansing. Too often, in the name of taking better care of skin, we start by over-cleansing and over-exfoliating, resulting in a damaged moisture barrier. Double cleansing once at night is all that you probably need, especially during fall and winter.
CHOOSE CLEANSERS WISELY
Speaking of double cleansing, using an oil-based cleanser as the first step will ensure all unwanted oily impurities are lifted and cleansed. For the second step of double cleansing, you need a low pH water-based cleanser.
Heimish All Clean Balm & Su:m37 Miracle Rose Cleansing Stick (currently out of stock.)
This is especially important for skin’s long term health. A low pH cleanser will not only help regulate your skin’s pH level but it will support a skin-healthy environment. In other words, you can avoid stripping skin’s natural water and oil levels by keeping skin slightly acidic at the level of 5 to 5.5, which is where happy skin should be.
GO EASY WHEN EXFOLIATING
Exfoliating can easily be overdone, especially when you first get into a regular skin care routine. I am completely guilty of having done this, too. For dry skin types, exfoliating once or twice a week is sufficient. But the most important thing to remember is to be gentle.
The founder of one of our top selling brands, Dr. G, Gun Young Ahn, M.D., suggests using gommage exfoliators for dry or sensitive skin. Gommage, meaning “to erase” in French, refers to the sloughing-off of dead skin by way of applying an enzyme-rich gel and massaging it into the face. What happens next is beauty magic at its best—the product will roll up into small balls, taking your dead skin along with it. No harsh rubbing here, just light massaging in circular motion will do. Try: Dr. G Brightening Peeling Gel
MIND THE TEMPERATURE
Long, hot showers may be tempting but are not great for your skin’s health. Keeping exposure to hot water to a minimum will help protect skin’s natural moisture barrier. Another helpful tip is to not wash your face in the shower as the shower-water temperature tends to be a lot higher than what's best for your face (lukewarm temp).
THE 7 SKIN METHOD
This popular Korean beauty skin care method has been trending for several years now. Applying light, multiple (up to seven) layers of toner immediately after cleansing is the basics of the 7 skin method. This method has proven to be quite effective for many, including myself. So if you haven't tried it yet, give it a shot today. Pyunkang Yul Essence Toner is our best selling toner, also perfect for this method.
More favorites:
HaruHaru WONDER Black Rice Hyaluronic Toner & Cosrx Centella Water Alcohol-Free Toner
SKINCARE MIXOLOGY
Go ahead, mix your oil with your night cream. Sleep mask on top? Sure! While skin cell renewal and repair happen during the night, this is when your skin is most susceptible to moisture loss.
Pobam Moonlight Serum (currently out of stock) & Huxley Fresh And More Cream
Take advantage of this time and help your skin do its job better. Add extra hydration and nutrients to your moisturizer and find out how much extra moisture your skin wants at night.
More favorite combos:
Urang Glow Oil Serum & Urang Rose Ceramide Cream
Pyunkang Yul Oil & Pyunkang Yul Nutrition Cream
For good measure, give yourself a spa night once a week and enjoy a hydrating sheet mask.
Polatam Water Gel Extra Force Brightening Mask
As you can see, these tips don’t involve fancy skincare ingredients or adding a ton more steps to your regular routine. But these are the tips I use to keep my skin happy, healthy, and not dry. Try for yourself!
Written by Sue @ Ohlolly
