Further Exploring How to Deal with Dry Facial Skin

acne specialist keizer

Welcome back to the second part on our series covering what you can do about dry facial skin. At our skin care clinic in Lincoln City, our dermatologists see patients all the time that experience dry skin for different reasons. Treating his common issue typically requires that patients understand the cause of their dry skin, and then use the tips we provided in these two posts to combat their problem.

Fortunately, as dermatological problems go, dry facial skin is fairly easy to treat. Let’s take a look at a few of the ways you can help to revitalize your skin.

Exfoliate to Remove Dry Skin Cells

As part of the natural healing and recovery process, our skin continuously makes new cells before shedding the old. This process usually occurs on a monthly basis.

When dead cells refuse to leave and become stuck to the surface of our face, you may notice pores starting to clog and dry patches beginning to form.

Exfoliating works to remove dead skin cells, which can also then reduce dry patches to improve the overall texture of our skin.

Typically, exfoliators are either chemical or mechanical.

Chemical Exfoliators

While the word “chemical” makes these types of exfoliators sound harsh, they are actually the gentle alternative to mechanical exfoliators.

Chemical exfoliators include beta-hydroxy acids (BHAs) and alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs).

BHAs penetrate to the deeper layers of our skin to remove dead cells from pores, while AHAs work to eliminate dead cells from the surface of our skin.

Both BHAs and AHAs accelerate cellular turnover, which helps to keep skin feeling supple and soft.

Mechanical Exfoliators

More abrasive than their chemical counterparts, mechanical exfoliators include:

  • Facial scrubs
  • Exfoliating washcloths
  • Cleansing brushes

Unlike chemical exfoliators that strip away dead skin cells, this form of exfoliation works through physically removing dead cells from the surface of the skin.

Sleep with a Humidifier

Whether running the AC or heater, the dry air that comes out of our vents removes the moisture from both the air and our skin.

If you experience dry facial skin, especially during the winter months, you may want to consider sleeping with a humidifier near the bed. This will help to offset the dry air coming out of the vents in your bedroom, while also keeping you warm.

Medication

At our skin care clinic in Lincoln City, our dermatologists may choose to prescribe a topical cream or ointment for patients who have skin conditions or for those who have dehydrated skin that hasn’t responded to conventional treatment options.

Tips for Preventing Dry Skin

As often the case, many patients get farther by trying to prevent dry skin rather than trying to treat the condition. If you frequently experience dry facial skin, try following the tips below:

  • Use a humidifier
  • Avoid artificial tanning
  • Limit direct sun exposure
  • Limit caffeine intake
  • Drink plenty of water each day
  • Use warm, not hot, water when bathing
  • Apply a moisturizer directly after getting out of the shower
  • Wear sunscreen daily
  • Wash your face with a gentle cleanser

Dealing with dry facial skin can feel like quite the hassle. Fortunately, by following the tips we laid out in our last two blog posts, you can enjoy healthy, radiant skin once again.