Lack of moisture that leads to dry skin on your face can make your skin parched, itchy and flaky.

For many, dry skin is not a sign of a skin condition or disease, but merely is caused by the products that you are using, such as harsh soaps, misusing moisturizer, and long, hot showers.

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Also, the medications you take, and the medical conditions you have like diabetes, hypothyroidism, and psoriasis can also cause dry skin face.

Normal, healthy skin is coated with a thin layer of natural lipids. This natural lipid helps your skin retain moisture, leaving the skin soft and supple.

If not treated, it can lead to dermatitis or inflammation, swelling, and infection. Understand the cause and how to treat your dry skin here.

Symptoms of Dry Skin

Symptoms of dry skin include:

  • Flaking or itching
  • Feel tight to touch (sometimes hurt)
  • Scaling
  • Peeling
  • Redness
  • Rough skin

Causes of Dry Skin

Dry skin occurs when there’s not enough moisture or natural oil. This condition can affect anyone at any age. Most people have this kind of skin condition during the cold winter months when the air is dry.

Other causes of dry skin may include:

  • Genetics
  • Soap
  • Hard water
  • Acne medications
  • Medical conditions
  • Contact with chlorine in a swimming pool
  • Excessive sun exposure

Dry Skin Treatments

Here are some simple and basic treatments you can try if you have dry skin.

1. Warmer and quicker showers

When showering, use lukewarm water. Hot water can dry your skin by removing naturally occurring oils. Take shorter showers will reduce the issue. Try limiting your shower to once a day.

2. Wash your face with a gentle cleanser

Choose a low pH gentle cleanser that doesn’t contain harsh ingredients like sodium sulfate, alcohol, and fragrance. These unnecessary ingredients may dry your skin and even cause irritation or inflammation.

It is essential to use a low pH cleaner to keep our skin’s natural state, which is at around pH 4-5.6. The goal is to keep it at that pH level. If you wash your face with a high pH facial cleanser, the skin pH gets disrupted, and it can become dry. If your face wash is leaving your skin tight and dry after washing, it’s a sign that your face wash is too alkaline.

It would help if you also were gentle as you apply the cleanser to your face. Use your fingertips and gently rub your face instead of using a washcloth. It is also best to wash your face once a day at night if you are dealing with dry skin.

3. Use moisturizer

Find a moisturizer that is gentle and works for your skin. Use it regularly, especially after you shower, day and night. Applying moisturizer can help your skin retain moisture.

Just like your cleanser, your facial moisturizer should be free of fragrance and alcohol, as they can cause unnecessary irritation and dry your skin even more.

Look for ingredients that help retain water in the skin like hyaluronic acid. You can also use an oil-based moisturizer that is heavier fora severe dry skin. It is very effective at preventing water from evaporating from your skin.

4. Use a humidifier

Try using a humidifier in rooms where you spend much time. Adding moisture to the air may prevent your skin from drying.

While dry skin can be a sign of a more severe health issue, it’s usually nothing too serious.

However, if it bothers you, you need to seek medical advice. You can contact and book your dermatologist appointment with the Okadoc app here to help you identify the causes of your dry skin and get the treatment you need.

Doctors can also recommend medications if you need, which usually include antihistamines for itchiness or prescription creams.