Ingredients Good for Dry Skin: What You Should Look Out For

You might think dry skin is from a lack of moisture, but it’s actually due to a lack of oil production! If your skin lacks oil production, then it’s more likely to become dehydrated. This means that the main issue your skin is facing is with oil, not moisture. Still confused? We’re here to help highlight the causes of dry skin, and to give you some tips to improve it. Look out for our recommendations for ingredients good for dry skin at the end of the article!

The reasons behind dry skin

• Genetics: Similar to oily skin, this skin type can come from your family. Some people have less active sebum glands, meaning less production of oil. This is what causes some people to have drier skin types.
• Age: As we grow older, the chances of producing more oil decreases, meaning that you’re more likely to develop drier skin.
• Cold weather: Notice that your skin is drier during the winter? This is because when in dry and cold weather, our oil glands produce less oil and create drier skin.
• Heat: Heat from a fireplace or in-door heaters can dehydrate your skin. This is due to the reduction of humidity in the air!
• Harsh soaps and detergents: Be careful of soaps and detergent that can strip away moisture and your skin’s natural oil. This is what causes an extra tight and dry feeling after you wash your face.

Signs that you have dry skin

Dry skin can be temporary, especially if you’re using the right skincare products for your skin type, but it can also be a lifelong condition. You may have to keep adjusting the products you use based on different conditions from time to time. Here are some signs that you may have dry skin:

• Skin feels tight, especially after you wash your face
• Dry patches of skin, flaking, scaling or peeling
• Itchiness 
• Redness and irritation
• A small scratch may mark your skin (or even cause it to bleed)

Skincare tips

• Use a gentle cleanser 

Pick a cleanser with a gentle surfactant. Milk and gel cleansers tend to be friendlier for dry skin. Gentle cleansers will help remove excess dirt and sebum without stripping off too much of your skin’s natural oils. 

• Moisturize your skin 

This is a must! Pick a moisturizer with a good mix of humectants, emollients and occlusives. Apply them as soon as you’re out of the shower to get the most out of your moisturizer. Don’t wait too long, or your skin will be dry before you’ve had a chance to apply moisturizer.

• Other tips

• Avoid using water that’s too hot when taking a bath or shower
• Use a humidifier at night 
• Pat, don’t rub your skin
• Drink a lot of water

Ingredients for dry skin

Here are some ingredients that are great for dry skin! You can use the Picky app look for skincare products with these ingredients, so that your skin stays hydrated and moisturized all day long!

Ceramide

Ceramides are natural lipids for our skin’s barrier and helps it to retain moisture. Ceramide also helps protect the skin from any external irritants and pollution. Adding ceramide-based products to your skincare routine can help alleviate the dryness and irritation from your skin.

Tocopherol

Tocopherol, more commonly known as vitamin E, is a natural component of the skin. A vitamin E oil is commonly used to relieve chapped, dry lips and even dry skin. The thick and oily consistency of tocopherol also makes it a great ingredient to protect the skin and prevent water loss.

Hyaluronic Acid

Hyaluronic acid absorbs water like a sponge. It helps restore dry skin and replenishes the water content needed for healthy skin. While hyaluronic acid can be beneficial for any skin type, it is tremendously beneficial for drier skin types. It helps to alleviate dryness and improves the appearance of fine lines on the skin.

AHA

Alpha hydroxyl acids are composed of several ingredients, such as lactic acid, glycolic acid, mandelic acid, etc. These AHAs not only work as a chemical exfoliator to help remove dead skin cells, but also work great as humectants. AHA helps the skin retain water and keep it hydrated. 

Did you know that Picky can help filter products with ingredients that are great based on your skin type? Log into Picky and use our Mega Ingredient Filter to get started. Don’t forget to also follow us on Instagram and more on our blog for more skincare science content!