Dry facial skin is a common problem for people who live in dry climates, have sensitive skin or are experiencing hormonal changes. It can be frustrating to deal with cracked skin on the face that leads to painful itchiness and feeling tight all day long. If you are struggling with dry facial skin, it’s important to know what causes it so you can avoid these problems in the future. In this blog post, we will discuss some of the most common causes of dry facial skin as well as how to treat cracked face symptoms naturally!
What is dry facial skin?
Your skin is the largest organ on your body and it works hard to protect you from germs, temperature changes and irritants. You may not be able to tell but every day your skin is working overtime as it keeps everything in balance and fights off any harmful invaders. When this delicate work environment gets out of whack due to low humidity or hormonal fluctuations then it can lead to dry facial skin.
Dry skin in the face or body, can present itself in several different ways. Some people experience itchy skin that leaves red marks when scratched, while others have white patches where no moisture seems to get in. Here are some common characteristics of dry facial skin:
- Patches of dryness that won’t go away no matter how many times you apply moisturizer
- Itchy red bumps that appear when your skin is scratched
- Tight and uncomfortable feeling all day long
The most common types of dry facial skin come from weather conditions, hormonal changes and genetics.
- Weather Conditions: The most common cause of dry facial skin is weather conditions that are too low in humidity or hot with lots of sun exposure. This can happen if you live in a place where the temperature fluctuates between cold to hot during certain times throughout the year. If you have ever flown over a desert, you will notice how dry the air is and that’s because there isn’t enough humidity to keep a healthy balance. This causes your skin to lose moisture at a very rapid rate which can lead to cracking facial skin problems.
- Hormonal Changes: Dry facial skin can also result from hormonal fluctuations during puberty, menopause or even changing birth control medication. This is because the fluctuation in hormones causes your oil glands to stop producing moisture at their normal rates.
- Genetics: Dry skin doesn’t always mean itchy or flaky patches all over the face; sometimes it just means the skin is more sensitive than normal. If your parents or grandparents have dry facial skin, there’s a good chance you will too! This doesn’t mean it can’t be treated but genetics do play a role in how dry and cracked your face may get.
We will explain these problems in more detail below!
The causes of facial dryness
As said before, there are different causes to dry skin, but its most common triggers come from weather conditions, genetic predisposition and hormonal changes.
Weather conditions
When speaking about dry skin, cold weather is often the first thing that comes to mind. The cold winter air causes your skin’s moisture barrier to work overtime as it tries to keep in heat and insulate you from coldness at the same time! Because of this, cold temperatures are a very common cause of dry facial skin.
Hot climates can have similar effects on the skin because of how dry they are. In hot weather, your body sweats to cool you down but this also means that it’s expelling a lot more moisture from inside its cells! This is why many people notice dry skin patches on their face when going back home after spending time in a desert-like climate.
The dry air in homes and offices is also a common cause of dry skin. Most cold air heating systems suck the humidity out of the room so you end up with cold, uncomfortable and itchy skin symptoms that won’t go away no matter how much lotion or cream you apply!
Genetic predisposition
One of the most important factors when explaining the causes of facial skin dryness is their skin type, which is dictated by genetics. People with sensitive skin that is naturally dry have a thinner barrier between the skin and the environment which makes it harder for moisture to stay inside skin cells! This means they will experience more skin irritation, itchiness and flakiness than those with normal or oily skin types.
Another factor that is determined by your genetics is your skin’s tendency to retain moisture. Usually, people with oily skin types have very active glands that produce a lot of oil throughout the day which keeps their skin moist enough not to get dried out. On the other hand, those who are born with dry skin will require more moisturizer in order for it work optimally because these skin cells aren’t able to produce enough oil.
Hormonal changes
Another cause of dry skin is hormonal fluctuations throughout the body. During puberty, skin tends to be oilier than usual as the body is still maturing and growing which can lead to skin outbreaks such as acne. However, by your mid-twenties most people’s skin starts becoming drier because of hormonal changes that occur during this important phase in life! This dryness can lead to skin conditions like eczema.
Menopause and post-menopause in women also cause skin problems because of how hormonal changes affect their oil glands and skin barrier. At that point, less estrogen is produced by the body which leads to a reduction in sebum production meaning skin gets dryer than before!
This skin type change can be very uncomfortable for menopausal or post-menopausal women so it’s important to use skin care products that will keep skin moisturized.
Hormonal changes caused by contraceptives are also common causes of dry skin because many medications have strong effects on the oil glands and how they work, which can lead to increased skin flaking in some cases! If you know you’re taking a certain contraceptive or medication for other reasons, it’s important to check with your doctor if skin dryness is one of the side effects it may cause!
If you want to know more about how your skin matures through the different stages of life read my blog post on the topic here
How to treat your dry skin with natural skincare
Now that we know what causes this skin condition we can explain the skincare routine that will allow you to keep moisturized and healthy skin.
Step 1: Oil Cleansing
Usually, cleansers are water based, which means that are made of water and cleansing agents that could be irritants to the skin. If you have dry skin, it’s important to treat your face with oil cleansing instead because water and soap-based cleansers strip the natural oils that keep your facial skin moisturized.
Oil cleansers are usually applied in dry skin, using circular motions in order to lift out dirt and other impurities, and then, wash off with warm or cold water. Hot water should be avoided by this type of skin.
Step 2: Hydrating Serum
The skin becomes dry because is not retaining enough water to keep itself moisturized. That is why a hydrating serum is a MUST have product in your skincare routine. Serums are usually made of:
- Water and humectant agents like glycerin, which have the ability to attract and bind with water, so they temporarily plump the skin
- Fatty oils which act as occlusive agent, which means that they lock moisture within the skin, coating it with a protective shield
- Active ingredients which should not irritate but provide the skin with vitamins and moisture
Step 3: Emollient Moisturizer
A moisturizer is any substance which helps to retain moisture in the epidermis, or outer layer of the skin by forming a protective layer over the skin’s surface. This protective layer helps to prevent water from evaporating, thus helps to avoid dryness.
Moisturizers are usually composed by emollients which act by replacing the skin’s lipids and filling the gaps between skin cells and are often used to help manage dry, itchy or scaly skin. Although, like hydrating serums, these are usually composed by water and humectants, active ingredients and occlusive agents, emollients purpose treat dryness by adding oil to your facial skin cells.
Step 4: Sunscreen (For AM Routine)
Dry skin should be specially careful with sun exposure because it can dehydrate the skin even more besides causing free-radical damage. That is why it’s important to use a sunscreen with at least SPF 30 (sun protection factor) every morning before applying makeup, going out into the sun or even sit in front of your computer. If you want to learn more about the precautions you have to take against the sun, check out my blog on spring skin care.
Step 5: Facial Oil (For PM Routine)
One of the most effective natural skincare treatments when it comes to very dry skin is using natural oils for closing your skincare routine at nights. Oils are very mild natural ingredients full of active compounds that will nourish skin cells, feed them and act as occlusive agents that will lock moisture within your skin..
Most popular oils for dry skin are jojoba oil, argan oil, avocado oil or almond oil for face, and butters like shea or tamanu of body.
Step 6: Hydrating masks (once or twice a week)
Another natural skincare treatment that works like magic on very dry skin are natural masks. These are a great way to treat your face or other body parts for restoring moisture and keeping skin supple. You can easily make these with natural ingredients you have at home such as cucumber, honey, aloe vera gel and more!
It is important to avoid clay or charcoal masks are these are intended to use to absorb oil, which could lead to skin irritation.
Dry facial skin can be frustrating to deal with. It looks and feels bad, plus it’s uncomfortable! But if you follow a correct skin routine, and avoid irritant cleansing agents, you will see how much of a difference it makes. We hope that these tips will help you on your journey of getting healthy and beautiful natural skincare products and living a healthier lifestyle overall! If you liked this post check out my other blogs on natural skin care or leave me any questions in the comments below.
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About Me
Beatriz Morales
Dry facial skin is a common problem for people who live in dry climates, have sensitive skin or are experiencing hormonal changes. It can be frustrating to deal with cracked skin on the face that leads to painful itchiness and feeling tight all day long. If you are struggling with dry facial skin, it’s important to know what causes it so you can avoid these problems in the future. In this blog post, we will discuss some of the most common causes of dry facial skin as well as how to treat cracked face symptoms naturally!
What is dry facial skin?
Your skin is the largest organ on your body and it works hard to protect you from germs, temperature changes and irritants. You may not be able to tell but every day your skin is working overtime as it keeps everything in balance and fights off any harmful invaders. When this delicate work environment gets out of whack due to low humidity or hormonal fluctuations then it can lead to dry facial skin.
Dry skin in the face or body, can present itself in several different ways. Some people experience itchy skin that leaves red marks when scratched, while others have white patches where no moisture seems to get in. Here are some common characteristics of dry facial skin:
- Patches of dryness that won’t go away no matter how many times you apply moisturizer
- Itchy red bumps that appear when your skin is scratched
- Tight and uncomfortable feeling all day long
The most common types of dry facial skin come from weather conditions, hormonal changes and genetics.
- Weather Conditions: The most common cause of dry facial skin is weather conditions that are too low in humidity or hot with lots of sun exposure. This can happen if you live in a place where the temperature fluctuates between cold to hot during certain times throughout the year. If you have ever flown over a desert, you will notice how dry the air is and that’s because there isn’t enough humidity to keep a healthy balance. This causes your skin to lose moisture at a very rapid rate which can lead to cracking facial skin problems.
- Hormonal Changes: Dry facial skin can also result from hormonal fluctuations during puberty, menopause or even changing birth control medication. This is because the fluctuation in hormones causes your oil glands to stop producing moisture at their normal rates.
- Genetics: Dry skin doesn’t always mean itchy or flaky patches all over the face; sometimes it just means the skin is more sensitive than normal. If your parents or grandparents have dry facial skin, there’s a good chance you will too! This doesn’t mean it can’t be treated but genetics do play a role in how dry and cracked your face may get.
We will explain these problems in more detail below!
The causes of facial dryness
As said before, there are different causes to dry skin, but its most common triggers come from weather conditions, genetic predisposition and hormonal changes.
Weather conditions
When speaking about dry skin, cold weather is often the first thing that comes to mind. The cold winter air causes your skin’s moisture barrier to work overtime as it tries to keep in heat and insulate you from coldness at the same time! Because of this, cold temperatures are a very common cause of dry facial skin.
Hot climates can have similar effects on the skin because of how dry they are. In hot weather, your body sweats to cool you down but this also means that it’s expelling a lot more moisture from inside its cells! This is why many people notice dry skin patches on their face when going back home after spending time in a desert-like climate.
The dry air in homes and offices is also a common cause of dry skin. Most cold air heating systems suck the humidity out of the room so you end up with cold, uncomfortable and itchy skin symptoms that won’t go away no matter how much lotion or cream you apply!
Genetic predisposition
One of the most important factors when explaining the causes of facial skin dryness is their skin type, which is dictated by genetics. People with sensitive skin that is naturally dry have a thinner barrier between the skin and the environment which makes it harder for moisture to stay inside skin cells! This means they will experience more skin irritation, itchiness and flakiness than those with normal or oily skin types.
Another factor that is determined by your genetics is your skin’s tendency to retain moisture. Usually, people with oily skin types have very active glands that produce a lot of oil throughout the day which keeps their skin moist enough not to get dried out. On the other hand, those who are born with dry skin will require more moisturizer in order for it work optimally because these skin cells aren’t able to produce enough oil.
Hormonal changes
Another cause of dry skin is hormonal fluctuations throughout the body. During puberty, skin tends to be oilier than usual as the body is still maturing and growing which can lead to skin outbreaks such as acne. However, by your mid-twenties most people’s skin starts becoming drier because of hormonal changes that occur during this important phase in life! This dryness can lead to skin conditions like eczema.
Menopause and post-menopause in women also cause skin problems because of how hormonal changes affect their oil glands and skin barrier. At that point, less estrogen is produced by the body which leads to a reduction in sebum production meaning skin gets dryer than before!
This skin type change can be very uncomfortable for menopausal or post-menopausal women so it’s important to use skin care products that will keep skin moisturized.
Hormonal changes caused by contraceptives are also common causes of dry skin because many medications have strong effects on the oil glands and how they work, which can lead to increased skin flaking in some cases! If you know you’re taking a certain contraceptive or medication for other reasons, it’s important to check with your doctor if skin dryness is one of the side effects it may cause!
If you want to know more about how your skin matures through the different stages of life read my blog post on the topic here
How to treat your dry skin with natural skincare
Now that we know what causes this skin condition we can explain the skincare routine that will allow you to keep moisturized and healthy skin.
Step 1: Oil Cleansing
Usually, cleansers are water based, which means that are made of water and cleansing agents that could be irritants to the skin. If you have dry skin, it’s important to treat your face with oil cleansing instead because water and soap-based cleansers strip the natural oils that keep your facial skin moisturized.
Oil cleansers are usually applied in dry skin, using circular motions in order to lift out dirt and other impurities, and then, wash off with warm or cold water. Hot water should be avoided by this type of skin.
Step 2: Hydrating Serum
The skin becomes dry because is not retaining enough water to keep itself moisturized. That is why a hydrating serum is a MUST have product in your skincare routine. Serums are usually made of:
- Water and humectant agents like glycerin, which have the ability to attract and bind with water, so they temporarily plump the skin
- Fatty oils which act as occlusive agent, which means that they lock moisture within the skin, coating it with a protective shield
- Active ingredients which should not irritate but provide the skin with vitamins and moisture
Step 3: Emollient Moisturizer
A moisturizer is any substance which helps to retain moisture in the epidermis, or outer layer of the skin by forming a protective layer over the skin’s surface. This protective layer helps to prevent water from evaporating, thus helps to avoid dryness.
Moisturizers are usually composed by emollients which act by replacing the skin’s lipids and filling the gaps between skin cells and are often used to help manage dry, itchy or scaly skin. Although, like hydrating serums, these are usually composed by water and humectants, active ingredients and occlusive agents, emollients purpose treat dryness by adding oil to your facial skin cells.
Step 4: Sunscreen (For AM Routine)
Dry skin should be specially careful with sun exposure because it can dehydrate the skin even more besides causing free-radical damage. That is why it’s important to use a sunscreen with at least SPF 30 (sun protection factor) every morning before applying makeup, going out into the sun or even sit in front of your computer. If you want to learn more about the precautions you have to take against the sun, check out my blog on spring skin care.
Step 5: Facial Oil (For PM Routine)
One of the most effective natural skincare treatments when it comes to very dry skin is using natural oils for closing your skincare routine at nights. Oils are very mild natural ingredients full of active compounds that will nourish skin cells, feed them and act as occlusive agents that will lock moisture within your skin..
Most popular oils for dry skin are jojoba oil, argan oil, avocado oil or almond oil for face, and butters like shea or tamanu of body.
Step 6: Hydrating masks (once or twice a week)
Another natural skincare treatment that works like magic on very dry skin are natural masks. These are a great way to treat your face or other body parts for restoring moisture and keeping skin supple. You can easily make these with natural ingredients you have at home such as cucumber, honey, aloe vera gel and more!
It is important to avoid clay or charcoal masks are these are intended to use to absorb oil, which could lead to skin irritation.
Dry facial skin can be frustrating to deal with. It looks and feels bad, plus it’s uncomfortable! But if you follow a correct skin routine, and avoid irritant cleansing agents, you will see how much of a difference it makes. We hope that these tips will help you on your journey of getting healthy and beautiful natural skincare products and living a healthier lifestyle overall! If you liked this post check out my other blogs on natural skin care or leave me any questions in the comments below.
Subscribe to Our Blog!
About Me
