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Are you struggling with rough, dry skin? Try these tips to have soft, moisturized, skin all day long:
- Use oils high in oleic acids
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Oils are great for moisturizing and for locking moisture into your skin. However, some are more occlusive than others. Oils high in oleic acid are more moisturizing but have a harder time absorbing into your skin, potentially causing acne and breakouts. Oils with more linoleic acid are thinner and absorb better into the skin, but might not be as moisturizing.
Some oils that are well-balanced but higher in oleic acid are jojoba oil, tamanu oil, or flaxseed oil. Other oils that are lower in oleic acid and higher in linoleic acid that may be better for acne-prone skin are rosehip oil and grape seed oil.
You can add a few drops to your moisturizer or use it all over your face. A good rule is to use it depending on how dry your face feels. Definitely cleanse your face before using oil to avoid locking in dirt and bacteria that could cause acne.
- Wash your face with an oil cleanser
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Oil cleansers are great at removing makeup and debris on your face while moisturizing your face at the same time. Sometimes regular cleansers can feel drying, but oil cleansers can leave your face feeling smooth and soft. Cleansing your face is essential to remove irritating bacteria, but most water-based cleansers can strip away your skin’s natural oils. Using an oil-based cleanser can help prevent that dry, tight feeling after washing your face with water. Cleansing your face at night is very beneficial for removing everything your face was exposed to throughout the day. Clinique’s Take The Day Off™ Cleansing Oil or Burt’s Bees Cleansing Oil are two good options to keep your skin soft and smooth.
- Exfoliate with AHA or BHA two to three times a week.
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It is important to exfoliate a few times a week to remove dead skin so that oil can be more easily absorbed. Usually, these are applied at night after cleansing. Only use them as needed and find products that work well for you! Some popular exfoliants are Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant or The Ordinary’s AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution Mask.
- Moisturize twice daily after cleansing
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This may seem simple but it is so important for avoiding tight and dry skin throughout the day. Finding a moisturizer can be difficult, but a simple one for normal or dry skin should be fine, especially if you are adding oil to it. A heavy moisturizer that would be effective for dry skin is First Aid Beauty’s Ultra Repair Cream Intense Hydration or Pond’s Dry Skin Cream.
- Don’t forget to moisturize your lips throughout the day too
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If your skin gets really dry, your lips likely do too. Keep your favorite lip balms on you to re-moisturize them throughout the day, and to avoid uncomfortable peeling and cracks. Castor oil, shea butter, petroleum jelly, vitamin E, lanolin, and zinc oxide are some of the best ingredients to have in a lip balm, according to Insider.
Now you are ready to face the cold and dry winter with these tips!
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