7 Mistakes That Are Giving You Dry Skin

If your skin feels parched through out the day, and looks flaky and lifeless, then you haven’t been maintaining the right hydration level for your skin. Dry skin can be due to a number of issues. Dr Sachin Dhawan , Senior Consultant, Department of Dermatology, Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurugram, says, “Dry skin can be genetic in some cases. Other reasons include lack of  enough water intake, allergic/atopic skin, use of inappropriate products, thyroid abnormalities, environmental pollutants and crash dieting.”

Apart from these there are common skin care mistakes that can dry out your skin. Here are a few things that you shouldn’t do, read on and find out if you are guilty. 

1. Cleansing your skin too much
Too much cleansing can lead to dry skin. Dr Sachin advises you use a gentle soap-free cleanser at night to remove makeup and dirt. In the morning, splash your face with water, you don’t have to use a cleanser. 

2. You use hot water to wash your face
Hot water can strip your skin of its natural moisturiser. Use lukewarm water to wash your face. 

3. You use a toner daily
If you have dry skin, avoid using a toner every day. Many toners contain alcohol and propylene glycol that dries out the skin. Dr Sachin recommends an alcohol-free toner. Alternatively, spray rose water on your face.

4. You use a lightweight moisturiser
Skin changes with age, so a formula you used in your 20s will not work in your 30s. Get a moisturiser with ceramides that forms a barrier on your skin and prevents moisture loss and hyaluronic acid, which draws moisture to the skin. “Oil-based moisturisers are a good option,” says Dr Sachin. 

5. You use a regular sunscreen
Dr Sachin says dry skin needs hydrating sunscreens containing hyaluronic acid, essential oils and Vitamin C. Pick one accordingly.

6. You don’t drink enough water
Your skin needs to be nourished and hydrated from within. Drink plenty of water and eat fruits and vegetables with high water content such as cucumber, tomatoes, water melon, etc. “You can also take Vitamin E and Omega 3 supplements to treat dry skin,” says Dr Sachin. 

7. You exfoliate frequently
A face scrub may seem like a good idea to slough off the dead skin cells, but in reality exfoliating more than once a week may cause dry skin. So avoid exfoliating every day.