How to treat dry skin on the face: The ultimate guide

Dry skin on the face can be quite bothersome. Some people may be more prone to developing dry facial skin than others. However, the fact remains that as the weather turns colder, dry skin on face and neck is not uncommon. Still, there are many other reasons why you would get uncomfortable (and sometimes unsightly) patches on your skin. Let’s take a look at all the factors that cause it and the different ways on how to treat dry skin on face, as well as possible prevention methods.

Dry skin on face: What causes it?

A number of factors can cause flaky, dry skin on face. These include changes in temperature, use of soaps containing abrasive chemicals or skin conditions like psoriasis and eczema. Quite often the dry skin patches are mild and may resolve on their own. However, if they do persist and become severely itchy, it is always advisable to consult a dermatologist.

Our skin tends to produce an oily substance that keeps it moisturised. This is known as sebum. While overproduction of sebum may lead to spots and acne, a specific level of it is required to keep the skin moisturised and protected from infection. A reason for dry skin on face may be that it is not producing or replenishing enough sebum. Other conditions that can trigger dry skin on face include:

• Dry air
• Cold weather
• Excessively washing the skin
• Imbalance in skin pH
• Skin conditions like Psoriasis and Eczema
• Hypothyroidism
• Diabetes
• Poor nutrition
• Smoking
• Prolonged exposure to direct sunlight

How can I treat dry skin on face naturally?

Dry skin on face is typically categorised as skin that lacks moisture in the uppermost layer. If left untreated, it may crack and become itchy, increasing the risk of infection. Therefore, it is integral to keep it well moisturised and hydrated. Dry skin can be treated using several different methods. As the cause of dry skin may be different in every individual’s case, the best way to treat it is to address the main factors triggering the condition. The treatments can vary according to different skin types (normal, oily, dry or combination skin).

Thankfully, there are several home remedies you can try to get softer, smoother skin if you are unwilling to opt for store-bought creams.

Home remedies for dry skin

There are several home remedies you can use to alleviate symptoms of dry skin. There are many natural moisturisers that can help soothe and hydrate dry skin on face.

Pure aloe vera gel

There is strong anecdotal and medical evidence that aloe vera gel can provide relief from dry, itchy skin. You can apply it liberally on any affected areas and even leave it overnight to reap the maximum benefits.

Coconut oil

Coconut oil is another natural moisturiser that works wonders for dry facial skin. A recent study suggests that it’s safe and efficacious and markedly improves skin hydration. Moreover, the use of coconut oil also increases the number of lipids on the skin’s surface due to its highly emollient properties. These lipids help fill in the gaps in dry skin, making it smooth and dewy.

Shea butter

Many creams and lotions contain this intensely moisturising ingredient. Shea butter has potent anti-inflammatory and emollient properties and penetrates the skin easily to quench dry and dehydrated skin.

Petroleum jelly

Also known as mineral oil, petroleum jelly is another natural moisturiser that has been in use for years. A recent review suggests that petroleum jelly improves the skin barrier and is particularly efficacious in treating dry skin as a result of the natural ageing process.

Oatmeal

Oatmeal baths have been a popular home remedy to treat dry skin on the body and face for hundreds of years. It has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that provide relief to dry, itchy skin.

Honey

Honey is a natural moisturiser and has healing and anti-inflammatory properties. There are several studies that highlight the importance of this natural ingredient in treating a variety of skin conditions, including dry facial skin. You can create a DIY honey face mask at home to achieve glowing, smooth skin.

Besides the above natural moisturisers that make excellent home remedies for dry skin, there are studies that suggest including milk in your daily diet can also improve dry facial skin. This may be due to the presence of fat found in milk, called phospholipid, that has been seen to improve the skin barrier in an animal study. However, there is a need for more research to see if it has similar results in humans.

How to cure dry skin on face: 5 important tips

Below are some important tips on how to treat dry skin on face. Practising these in your daily life may help you achieve long term relief from troublesome dry facial skin:

1. Moisturise daily

Creams and ointments help trap moisture in the skin and improve the skin’s natural barrier. Moisturising daily, especially at night, has great benefits for curing dry skin on face. You can liberally apply moisturiser before bed and use a gentle cleanser in the morning to wash it off. When selecting a moisturiser for the face, try to look for soothing ingredients such as:

• Hyaluronic acid
• Jojoba oil
• Acetic acid
• Dimethicone
• Glycerine
• Lanolin
• Shea butter
• Ceramides
• Colloidal oatmeal

You should also take care to avoid drying ingredients that might worsen dry skin on face. These include:

• Artificial fragrances or colours
• Alcohol
• Dioxane
• Petrolatum

2. Bathe wisely

It is always advisable to bathe and wash your face with lukewarm, rather than hot water. This is because the latter can strip your facial skin and body skin of its natural oils, causing dryness. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends limiting baths and showers to only 5-10 minutes to soothe dry skin.

Moreover, you should also try and apply a moisturiser immediately on damp skin after washing your face or a bath. This practice can help lock in much-needed moisture for your dry skin. Also, try and gently pat your skin dry instead of rubbing it vigorously with a towel.

3. Use a gentle facial cleanser

There are many soaps and cleansers on the market that contain ingredients that can irritate and worsen dry skin. You should therefore try and look for gentle, fragrance-free cleansers that are free from drying alcohols and ingredients such as:

• Triethanolamine (TEA)
• Parabens
• Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS)
• Diethanolamine (DEA)
• Monoethanolamine (MEA)

4. Regularly exfoliate facial skin

Exfoliating skin regularly helps remove dead skin cells which may be causing dry patches and clogged pores, thereby improving skin’s texture. It also boosts skin renewal and helps reduce redness and dry skin on face.

5. Make use of a humidifier

Indoor heating units can cause dry air, particularly in winter, leading to loss of moisture and facial dryness. You can combat this by using a humidifier in your home to add moisture to the air and limiting the use of indoor heating.

How to prevent dry skin on face?

Now that you’re aware of how to treat dry skin on face, you should also know some important tips to try and prevent dry skin from occurring in the first place. These include:

• Drinking plenty of water and staying hydrated
• Limiting your caffeine intake
• Limiting exposure to direct sunlight
• Wearing suncream every day
• Regularly applying moisturiser after washing face
• Washing face with a gently, non-irritating cleanser
• Avoiding hot water to wash the face and bathe
• Using a humidifier
• Avoiding artificial tanning
• Dabbing rather than rubbing skin while towel drying
• Scratching skin
• Wearing loose clothing and avoiding tight clothes that chafe the skin

If you still experience persistently dry skin despite taking all precautions and trying out home remedies and moisturisers, you may have an underlying skin condition. In this case, it is advisable to consult a medical practitioner. They may prescribe you lotions or ointments containing steroids to provide relief for dry skin.

How to treat dry skin on face: Best face creams

We, at Poko, understand how bothersome dry skin can be and have therefore formulated the best moisturisers made from all-natural ingredients to give you healthy, glowing skin. All our products are vegan, cruelty-free and third-party lab tested to ensure the highest quality. Our favourite products for dry skin include:

1. Regenerating Collagen Moisturiser

Poko’s Regenerating Collagen Moisturiser is a rich, creamy moisturiser formulated with deeply hydrating natural ingredients like aloe vera juice and apricot kernel oil. It tackles skin dullness and dryness, replenishing much-needed moisture while fighting the effects of UV damage and signs of ageing like fine lines and dark spots. Your skin feels supple and nourished with a bright, youthful glow.

2. Light Hydrating Moisturiser

Poko's Light Hydrating Moisturiser is the answer to all your dry facial skin woes. It can retain moisture for up to 72 hours. This makes the Light Hydrating Moisturiser ideal for locking in much-needed moisture and quenching your dry and dehydrated skin, without clogging pores.

3. Luxury Facial Oil

Poko’s Luxury Facial Oil is brimming with oleic acid-rich plant oils like crambe seed oil, baobab oil and moringa oil, which promote supple, soft skin. This cocktail of nourishing botanical oils and omega fatty acids helps condition dry and rough facial skin. Moreover, the Luxury Facial Oil helps strengthen and repair the skin’s natural barrier, effectively preventing free radical damage.

You can pat a few drops of the Poko Luxury Facial Oil onto the face after moisturising with either the Regenerating Collagen Moisturiser or Light Hydrating Moisturiser.

Dry skin on face: Key takeaways

There are several effective ways of how to treat dry skin on face. The most important thing is to moisturise. While there are many natural home remedies that can provide you with much-needed relief, there are several excellent moisturisers on the market that can do the trick. However, you need to check the ingredients before buying any store-bought moisturiser or cleanser, taking care to avoid products that have harsh chemicals and other irritants.

You should also try and drink plenty of water to keep hydrated and regularly exfoliate your skin. Avoiding long hot showers and washing your face with lukewarm water can also help in preventing dry skin on face. Remember, dry and tight skin is quite common but following all the tips in this guide can help you get that long-lasting relief from it!