What Causes Dry Flaky Skin on the Face?
Are you tired of getting dry, flaky skin? Is it caused by the changing seasons, or is it a sign or something more serious? Dry, flaky skin can occur for many reasons. These include hormone changes, medications, skin conditions, and environmental factors. Read more to learn about the causes of dry skin and tips to combat unwanted skin dryness.
Reasons You Have Dry, Flaky Skin:
Aging
After you reach the age of 40, your skin produces less oil and has a difficult time holding onto water. The delicate balance of oil and water (and other natural moisturizing factors) influences whether or not your skin feels adequately hydrated and if you have symptoms of dry flaky skin. When that natural oil-water barrier is disrupted it can lead to transepidermal water loss, which is a fancy way of saying that water is evaporating off the surface of the skin. This reduces the function of your skin barrier and leads to dry skin.
Certain Medications
Dry skin can be a side effect of the medication you are taking. Antihistamines, statins and diuretics can cause this to occur.
Certain Skin Conditions
Dry skin can be a common side effect of other skin conditions. Skin conditions, including psoriasis, dermatitis, and eczema, can cause dry flaky skin.
Dehydration
When you become dehydrated, this can cause your skin to appear dry, flaky, and dull. Lack of hydration from water, fruits, and vegetables can affect skin health.
Diabetes
Diabetes can cause dry skin, skin itchiness, and brown patches of scaly skin. This is due to high blood pressure and poor circulation. This can also be a side effect of certain diabetic medications.
Menopause
With the changes in hormones during menopause, the skin loses some of its ability to hold water, causing the skin to become and stay dryer.
Thyroid Disease
The number one ranking symptom of those with hypothyroidism is coarse dry skin. This is a result of the decreased eccrine gland sweat and oil secretion.
Vitamin or Mineral Deficiency.
The skin requires specific vitamins and nutrients for it to stay healthy. Lack of vitamin D, vitamin A, niacin, zinc, and iron can contribute to the onset of dry skin.
Environment
When the humidity in the air drops, the skin’s ability to retain moisture decreases, leading to dry, itchy, scaly, cracking skin. Changing seasons should result in a change in your skincare routine. Adding humidity to the air at home can help combat dry skin and improve your skin's health.
Tips to Cure Dry Skin on the Face
Moisturize Often
Maintaining a healthy skin barrier is essential in maintaining healthy-looking skin. It is important to moisturize immediately after showering or washing your face to help the skin’s moisture retention.
Use an Ointment or Cream Moisturizer
Ointment or cream moisturizers are more effective than lotions at trapping moisture into the skin. Occlusive moisturizers such as petroleum jelly create a barrier over the skin, trapping moisture onto the skin and blocking external irritants.
Check your Skin Care Products
Checking your skin care products for ingredients you may be sensitive or allergic to can make all the difference. Fragrances, dyes, and chemicals may irritate sensitive skin, causing excess dryness.
Invest in a Humidifier
Purchasing a humidifier can save you from lots of skin trouble. A humidifier adds moisture back into dry air, preventing the air from drying out your skin. In the winter, you may want to check if your home heating system has a built-in humidifier.
Exfoliate Skin
Gently exfoliating your skin can eliminate excess dry skin and debris from the skin surface, revealing the fresh, hydrated skin beneath.
Use a Cream Cleanser
Using a cream cleanser with jojoba oil, hyaluronic acid, lactic acid, plant based oils, shea butter, or glycerin is ideal. When applied to the skin, these ingredients improve the feeling of dry skin and make skin appear softer and more hydrated.
Best Products to Treat Dry Skin:
Cleanser: Apricot Cream Cleanser or Silk Radiance 3 in 1 cleanser
The Apricot Cream Cleanser is a gentle cream cleanser rich in oils to hydrate the skin and dissolve makeup and other impurities from the skin.
The Silk Radiance 3-in-1 cleanser uses a combination of lipids and essential oils to moisturize your skin while delicately cleaning the surface.
Toner: Protein Mist Enzyme Toner, Colostrum Hydrating Mist, Soothe Dermal Repair Mist.
Epicuren’s Protein Mist Enzyme Toner is a nutrient-rich mist that hydrates your skin while leaving it feeling refreshed.
The Colostrum Hydrating Mist refreshes the face with hydrating colostrum and glycerin.
Soothe Dermal Repair Mist is a light toner formulated for sensitive skin and reduces visible redness caused by irritants and environmental factors.
Exfoliators: Apricot Scrub or Fine Herbal Facial Scrub
Apricot Scrub is an emollient-based hydrating scrub designed for dry and mature skin. This exfoliator polishes surface dryness and debris away with apricot seeds and walnut shells.
Fine Herbal Facial Scrub is a gentle exfoliant with apricot kernels, jojoba oil, and oatmeal. This promotes hydrated skin while washing away impurities and dryness.
Hydrator: Strengthen and Rebuild Vegan Serum Concentrate
Strengthen and Rebuild Vegan Serum Concentrate utilizes plant-derived collagen to moisturize the skin and soften the appearance of fine lines.
Moisturizers: Skin Rejuvenation Therapy, Soothe Dermal Repair Balm, Hydro Plus Moisturizer, Colostrum Luminous Glow Cream
Skin Rejuvenation Therapy Moisturizing Cream uses essential oils infused with the Metadermabolic® Protein Enzyme™ Complex to moisturize and rejuvenate mature and dry skin.
Soothe Dermal Repair Balm enriches dry and sensitive skin with a botanical mixture of moisturizing ingredients.
Hydro Plus Moisturizer is a rich crème that hydrates the skin. This product leaves a lightweight finish on the skin, providing a softer-looking appearance.
Colostrum Luminous Glow Cream enriches the skin with a lightweight layer of moisture. The formula features all-natural ingredients, including colostrum, aloe, and citrus peel.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Should I exfoliate dry, flaky skin on my face?
You should exfoliate dry, flaky skin. This will remove dry skin from your face and allow for proper absorption of skin care products.
Does drinking lots of water help dry skin?
Drinking lots of water can keep your skin hydrated. Dehydrated skin causes the skin to look dry.
How long does it take for dry skin to heal on your face?
After taking care of your skin correctly, itchy and flaky dry skin can improve within one to two weeks.
Should I rub dead skin off?
Removing dead skin cells when exfoliating is a great option. Be sure to exfoliate gently because intense exfoliation can cause other issues.