5 Mistakes You Are Making With Your Dry Skin Routine

Each skin type has its own issues, and when it comes to dry skin, inflammation and rough skin happen to be the biggest. Your dry skin needs extensive care and a thoughtfully designed skincare routine.

But even after that if the issues persist, check if you are making any of these 5 mistakes

1. Harsh exfoliation

Using physical scrubs is a big mistake that people with dry skin make. Often feeding into the belief that one can scrub away the dead dry skin, it ends up creating micro tears in the skin, which not only makes the skin drier but also increases the chances of infections.

Instead of physical, opt for chemical exfoliation. Start with a very light concentration of AHA BHAs or glycolic acid.

2. Drying skin before moisturizing

The way moisturizers work is by locking moisture or humectants in the skin. If you already have dry skin, wipe off all water post washing your face to apply moisturizer, it won’t have any moisture to lock in. This will make you feel greasy for a few minutes but thereafter the skin will still feel dry.

Instead, apply moisturizer when the skin is still a little damp, and seal in the moisture for a plump look.

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3. Taking extremely hot showers

Hot water is known to dry and dehydrate the skin, and if you have dry skin, it is possibly the worst kind of shower you can take. It can also cause inflammation, leading to other skin problems.

Instead, opt for a mild warm shower with foamy cleansers to keep the skin supple.

4. Overusing active ingredients

Active ingredients like vitamin C and retinol are all the rage right now in skincare products and for a reason. That said, they are highly reactive and may not suit everybody. Some products are also known to dry the skin, making them a bad choice.

We suggest you discuss the skin issues with a certified dermatologist and use only the prescribed products.

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5. Using alcohol-based products

Just like active ingredients, alcohol-based products, especially toners are known to dry the skin. If used on dry skin regularly, they can lead to skin issues, apart from dullness. Alcohol as a base has been traditionally used in skincare products because it stabilizes the products quite well and retains the properties of the potent ingredients used, but if you have dry skin, we suggest skipping alcohol-based products entirely.