How to Prevent Dry Skin on Your Face

You know this much: genetics, poor diet, or an underlying health condition may cause dry skin on your face. However, seemingly innocuous activities like hanging out in the sun or spending too long in an air-conditioned office can lead to the same effect.

If your skin suddenly feels tight and flaky, your environment or lifestyle may be to blame. Read on for more about this skin type and condition and what you can do about it.

Having dry skin on your face means your oil glands are not making enough sebum to moisturize your skin. This can lead to roughness, tightness, itching, and in some cases, flaking. Dehydrated skin – which lacks water on the surface – can also have the same symptoms.

One way to test for dehydration is by pinching the skin on the back of your hand. If your skin doesn’t snap back at once, you need to drink more water. While all skin types can experience dryness from dehydration, only dry skin types are consistently lacking moisture from oil.

In some cases, dry skin on the face could be a symptom of another condition, such as an allergy or eczema. Consult your dermatologist if your skin is flaking and itching more than usual to rule these out.

Meanwhile, you can try tweaking your skincare regimen and daily routine to alleviate your symptoms. Here are some tips:

Cleansers that contain fragrances, colors, and other chemicals can irritate the skin and result in dryness. Choose a mild, moisturizing cleanser like Dove Facial Cleansing Mousse Moisture Care. It has 40% Active-boost Serum and hyaluronic acid that leaves your skin radiant and moisturized for up to 24 hours, so dry skin on the face can be a thing of the past.

Make sure you don’t wash your face too often to avoid stripping your skin of natural oils. Cleansing your face twice a day is ideal, especially at the end of the day to remove any makeup, dirt, bacteria, or debris.

Think of humectants as a refreshing glass of water for your parched, dry skin. They have particles that act like magnets, drawing moisture from the air to rehydrate your skin. Some examples of humectants include glycerol, glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and AHAs like glycolic, mandelic, and lactic acid.

One caveat: humectants also draw water from the deeper layers of the skin, especially if there is no moisture in the air. So, if you’re in a dry climate (or just a dry hotel room), using skincare with humectants can cause more dryness.

To combat this, apply your skincare with humectants right after cleansing while your skin is still damp, and layer it with a moisturizer to lock hydration in.

The first step to quenching the dry skin on your face is to moisturize consistently. A good moisturizer or face cream will help improve the skin barrier and protect it from environmental stressors that may cause dryness.

Choose a moisturizer with SPF for your daytime routine. POND'S UV Bright Sunscreen is a broad-spectrum sunscreen that helps protect skin from sun damage (a recipe for dryness!). It also contains brightening ingredients that even out the skin tone and fade dark spots, giving you soft, smooth, and glowing skin.

In addition, use a night cream before hitting the hay to protect and renew your skin while you sleep. POND'S Age Miracle Ultimate Youth Night Cream replenishes your skin barrier and locks in moisture while you catch some Zs.

If you love a hot soak in a tub, your skin might be suffering in silence. Shower with lukewarm water instead, and keep it short to avoid drying your skin. According to the American Dermatological Association, limiting your bath time to 10 minutes can help alleviate symptoms and help your skin recover from dryness.

Asians in tropical climates share an unmatched love for artificial cooling, a.k.a. air conditioning. But while it keeps sweat at bay, it also makes the air extra dry. If you sleep with the AC on, you could wake up to dry skin on the face, scalp, and the rest of your body.

Consider investing in a humidifier, a device that releases vapor or steam to increase moisture in the air. Need a low-cost but effective alternative? Keep a bowl of water in your air-conditioned room to regulate moisture levels. You can also add a few drops of your favorite essential oils for a spa-like experience at home.

There’s no denying that getting your fill of H20 can do wonders for your skin health. While drinking water is not a cure-all for dry skin on your face, it’s better than the alternative, which is not drinking enough. One study found that extremely dehydrated individuals lose skin elasticity. Water intake also improves skin thickness and density, offsets water loss, and boosts skin hydration.

Aside from being uncomfortable, having dry skin on your face can be a blow to your self-esteem. With so many factors to consider, dealing with dryness is unpredictable and frustrating. But alas, all is not lost. With a healthy lifestyle, the right products, and a consistent routine, you can keep your skin moisturized and hydrated, whatever the season.