July 21, 2022 Laura Lenihan

How to Prevent Dry Skin

If you have dry skin, it might be rough to the touch, flaky, irritated, or even sore. And it’s not only uncomfortable - it can make you feel self-conscious, too. So, how do you prevent it?

There are many external factors that can contribute to dry skin. For example, dryness can be caused by washing your face too often and stripping away the skin’s natural oils, using too many harsh chemicals on your face (such as ones found in some soaps), dry air, or even cold temperatures. Your dry skin may also be caused by a health or skin condition.

This is something that Dr Laura regularly sees in clinic, as people often use too many active ingredients at once - leaving the skin drier than it should be. Simplifying your skincare routine can be a great first step to preventing dryness.

Once you’ve pinpointed the likely cause of your dry skin, you can take action to help to heal it, and to prevent it from reoccurring in the future.

Cleanser

For cleansing, we’d recommend that you try an ultra-nourishing, hydrating cleanser. Make sure to choose one with a formula that’s gentle, and which doesn’t include any harsh chemicals - as this could strip your skin, and lead to dryness.

However, even when using a gentle cleanser, it’s important not to cleanse too often! Unless you’ve been vigorously exercising or have visible grime on your skin, you should only need to wash your face in the morning and in the evening. To help prevent further dryness, try to avoid using hot water when cleansing your skin; use lukewarm or cool water instead.

We’d recommend;

Obagi Gentle Cleanser, €68.00

iS Clinical Honey Warming Cleanser, €44.00

Moisturiser

Moisturiser is an essential part of any skincare routine - particularly if you suffer from dry skin.

A gentle, ultra-hydrating formula is a the most suitable for preventing dry skin, as this will help to boost your skin’s hydration levels and seal in moisture - keeping any dryness at bay. Moisturisers which feature hyaluronic acid or squalane in their list of ingredients are perfect for this!

We’d recommend:

SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore 242, €145. 00

SkinBetter Science Trio Rebalancing Moisture Treatment, €155.00

Gentle Exfoliation

Exfoliating helps to remove dead skin cells from the surface of your skin, which can be helpful for preventing dry patches. The right exfoliant will slough dead skin away, helping your skin texture to remain smooth and supple.

While physical exfoliants, such as facial scrubs or cleansing tools, remain popular, chemical exfoliants may actually be a better choice for dry skin. These are applied topically, and help to gently remove dead skin cells with minimal irritation - unlike physical exfoliants, which can irritate the skin.

We’d recommend:

Medik8 Press and Glow, €28.00

Obagi C Exfoliating Day Lotion, €85.00

Obagi Exfoderm, €125.00

SPF

We’re all familiar with slathering on sunscreen on a clear, hot day. However, even on cloudier, cooler days, UV levels can still be high - so SPF is an everyday essential if you’re keen to prevent dry skin.

Unprotected exposure to UV rays causes damages to your skin cells and reduces the rate of skin cell turnover, which can leave your skin dehydrated and dull. To help to prevent this, and other signs of sun damage, we recommend using an SPF on a daily basis - and, particularly on days when the UV index is high, topping up regularly for the highest level of protection.

Luckily, there are a wide range of SPF skincare products available which are suitable for everyday use - from lotion to sticks to sprays.

We'd recommend:

Skingredients Skin Shield SPF 50, €57.00