Dry Skin

So in my last blog post I spoke about dehydrated skin. This week I want to talk to you about dry skin. Your skin type will most likely change over time and this can be due to many different contributing factors; location, diet, pregnancy, age and many more. YOU can also have an affect on your skin type. I have always been someone with dry skin however, due to my obsession with makeup and trying new products, I have managed to manipulate my skin into a combination skin type. Where I frequently used to overuse face masks, cleansers and exfoliators, I stripped the oil from my face when I had little to begin with. In reality I encouraged my skin to start producing more oil around my t-zone therefore creating a combination skin type. (Blog post coming soon.) The moral of the story is, only treat your skin based on it’s specific needs.

So let’s find out what those specific needs are for a dry skin type! If you are not sure if you have dry skin or not, read these common symptoms:

• Redness
• Scaly patches
• Flaky skin
• Feeling of tightness, especially after baths or showers.
• Visible lines in your skin
• Rough feeling
• Itchiness
• Easily irritated
• Worse in the winter months and aggravated by cold.
• You have small pores
• Your prone to milia, the little white lumps that can hang around for months, especially around the eyes. (See picture)

Dry skin is common, particularly after menopause and if you do suffer from the above symptoms you can safely say you belong to the ’dry skin’ category! Join the crew!

I would say that dry skin is one of the easier skin types to manage providing you have the correct information. Here are some do’s and don’ts:

• Avoid long, hot showers. This can strip the skin of moisture even more.
• Use gentle soaps and cleansers.
• Avoid exfoliation as this will lead to more irritation. If you have flakiness use a milk cleanser and flannel to exfoliate, rotating in circular motions. Avoid products with small beads in. [Tropic’s Smoothing Cleanser Complexion purifier and Bamboo Face Cloth are amazing for this]
• Scrubs will really aggravate dryness.
• Opt for rich textures, butters, and oils to make your skin feel as soft and supple as you can. 
• Overnight moisturising masks are good every once in a while.

A Skincare Plan for Dry Skin

AM

1. Cleanse – Cleansing milk is the best type of product for dry skin. You use this product with a cotton pad rather than using water. Cleansing milk dissolves oil and dirt without drying the skin out further.
2. Serum – Use a hydrating antioxidant serum
3. Moisturise with a product that contains spf. 
4. Then apply your makeup.

PM

1. Cleanse – ensure all makeup has been removed first.
   
2. Use a night cream or oil. Our favourites are Tropic’s ‘Super Greens Nutrient Boost Oil’ or if you prefer a cream Origins ‘High Potency Night-A-Mins Resurfacing Cream with Fruit-Derived AHAs’.

If you have discovered that you have dry skin or the opposite, you thought you had dry skin but maybe you don’t, comment below! As always feel free to contact us if you need any advice or product recommendations for what to use on your skin! 

Thanks for reading x