Let's face it--when we hear about "dry skin," the first parts of our bodies that we think about are, well, our faces. And why not? The face is the most exposed patch of skin on our bodies, and many of our emotions, thoughts and feelings are conveyed through facial expressions. Therefore, it's no surprise for many of us to be much more worried about dry facial skin than on dry skin that's located elsewhere on our bodies.
Dry skin and wrinkles affect certain parts of the face more commonly, such as around the mouth, nose and eyes. Certain special treatments for these areas are available for perusal all over the Net, and will be covered in future articles in this website as well--this article will only give some insight to the nature of dry facial skin and some general methods of treating it.
\"dry Skin\"
If you are plagued with dry skin on the face, it is important to first know your skin type before applying any sort of treatment. Using the wrong treatment on your skin may either have barely any effect on your skin and waste a lot of your money, or do the exact opposite and actually worsen your dry skin condition.
There are three basic skin types: dry, oily, and combination. There's a chance that your skin does not actually fall into any of the three types and may instead be a combination of two. The following test will give you a good idea of your skin type, and consequently a treatment for your dry skin.
First, wash your face and pat it dry--don't wipe it! Then take a few pieces of rice paper or lens-cleaning tissue paper and place them on different spots on your face. See if the pieces of paper stick to the skin and become translucent, or if they don't stick and pick up oily spots. If the pieces fall off, it means you have the dry skin type. If they stick all over, then you have the oily skin type. If they only stick in certain spots--such as around your T-zone--then congratulations. You have combination skin type, and it's quite normal and easiest to treat.
Treatment of dry skin on the face involves four steps. The first one is nightly cleansing. First wet your face with warm water and apply an oil-based cleanser. Now, normally cleansers are made of water, surfactants, and oil. Try to choose a cleanser that has an amount of oil that is suited for your skin type. Too much oil may clog your pores, and too little will cause dry skin. Also, too much oil can cause acne, which at times can be worse than dry skin.
The second step is exfoliation. This can be done on a weekly basis, such as by microdermabrasion and retinoids, but if you can afford it, the monthly chemical peel is also a good choice. Microdermabrasion involves scrubbing off the layer of dry skin that tends to dull your complexion. Microdermabrasion kits are commercially available, and a weekly routine helps keep your skin glowing all year round--just make sure that the scrubs have small fine grains, as large rough grains can crack your skin and worsen its condition. Retinoids also remove the top layer of skin, but also generates collagen in the skin. Collagen is the structural fiber of the skin, and needs to be replenished regularly since it breaks down over time and causes large pores and lines. Chemical peels can be expensive, but there are over-the-counter peels that can tide you over for the month.
Thirdly: moisturize. Unless you have acne, moisturizing will always benefit your skin. Choose a moisturizer that provides the right amount of moisturizing--and it should smell good, feel good, and doesn't feel greasy at all. If your skin feels tight even after moisturizing, it's a sign of dry skin--and it should tell you to find a more effective moisturizer. As always, be sure to mist or dampen your skin before applying the moisturizer, otherwise there won't be any moisture to lock in.
Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, use a sunscreen. Sun damage is the leading cause for wrinkles. During the day, a good idea is to use a moisturizer with UV protection; however, make sure to use a different moisturizer after dark as these moisturizers can irritate skin when used all the time. Always remember that winter sun and overcast days are just as bad as summer sun. Using a sunscreen daily is probably the simplest thing you can do to avoid dry skin on your face.
Dry Facial Skin
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