Choosing the Right Moisturizer for Dry Skin

Introduction

Moisturizer is one of those skincare essentials you need to have on your daily skincare routine. All the more, this becomes a necessity when you have dry skin. Choosing the right moisturizer for dry skin may take a few extra steps. Yet, this includes determining if you have dry skin. Let’s check out this simple guide below.

How Can I Tell I Have Dry Skin?

Dry skin does not develop overnight. However, it is often temporary and seasonal with climate changes. Nevertheless, there are telltale signs that you have dry skin. The common signs are noticeable to the naked eye. You can see it scaling and peeling, with fine lines, cracks, and a rough feeling. In worse cases, dry skin may result in itchiness and severe scaling and peeling that leads to bleeding.

A loss of water on the outer layer of the skin causes dry skin. And, environmental factors contribute to dry skin. Cold and low-humidity climates are perfect for drying your skin out of its natural moisture. Working in a hot environment can also give you dry skin. Other factors, such as scrubbing too hard, can also lead to dry skin. Yet, more detrimental causes include skin conditions such as psoriasis and eczema.

Choosing a Moisturizer for Dry Skin 

When you have dry skin, your skin screams moisturizer. A moisturizer will not only rehydrate your skin but will also protect your skin against the environment. To find the right moisturizer for dry skin type,  you will need to explore in detail the information on the label. 

What Should I Look For?

As you search for the right moisturizer, check out the key components of the moisturizer. Moisturizers for dry skin tend to be heavy on emollients and occlusives. Occulusives are components that increase the water content of your skin and slow evaporation. These ingredients give the moisturizer a greasy feel. Emollients are mainly oils that provide a smoother and soft feel to your skin – suitable for cracking and peeling dry skin. If you spend most of your time outdoors, look for a moisturizer that contains sunblock or broad-spectrum sunscreen.

What Should I Avoid?

Dry skin can be sensitive to agents such as alcohol and acids. Some moisturizers add alcohol that functions as an anti-bacterial and cleansing agent. Alcohol may irritate the cracks and peels on your dry skin. Also, avoid moisturizers with too much acid. Acids added as exfoliants may worsen your dry skin. You should also consider staying away from moisturizers with fragrance and coloring.

Managing dry skin will demand more care and attention. You may need to apply moisturizer to your dry skin more often than usual. You may also need to alter your skincare routine for the time being. For all-natural moisturizers with anti-bacterial properties that will hydrate your skin, see our Baobab and Frankincense collections.