Dry skin on the face feels tight and itchy, often appears dull and tired, and in extreme cases can even flake and become chapped. Are you experiencing this right now? Do you literally feel uncomfortable in your own skin because of it? Then we'll give you some useful tips on how the right skincare can help you regain your glow. Read more here!
Symptoms – how dry skin manifests
It sounds quite simple at first: dry skin on the face is simply dry. What seems logical at first, is actually a bit more complicated. Because not everyone shows the same signs. Typical symptoms include:
- Tightness
- Itching
- Flaking
- Chapping
- Sensitivity
These signs can manifest with varying intensity. For most people, it's quite normal for skin to feel a little tight and slightly rough in winter. With the right care, this can usually be quickly remedied. Very dry skin on the face, however, manifests as a truly uncomfortable pulling sensation, slight flaking, and even cracks in the surface. Here, you should act quickly. Because without appropriate treatment, this phenomenon promotes skin aging and thus wrinkle formation.
Attention! If you react sensitively to various creams or see no improvement, it is best to consult a dermatologist. Other causes may be underlying. For example, conditions such as neurodermatitis or psoriasis, as well as metabolic problems and various medications, can be possible reasons for dry skin on the face.
Causes of dry skin on the face
With skin, it's like with so many things in life: not just one cause leads to changes. Rather, it is an individual process. Inner factors and external influences, as well as genetics, all play a role. We have compiled here what could be causing dry skin on your face.
Genetics – Inherited dry skin
Some inherit blue eyes, others black hair. We all learned the basics of how genetics work in school. But in addition to the most obvious characteristics, we often inherit our skin texture from our parents. This affects pigments, but also the moisture level.
In dermatology, a basic distinction is made between four variants: normal, oily, dry, and combination skin. Are you not quite sure which one you belong to? Then read our article on skin types. Here we have explained how they differ and how you can classify yourself.
Here, however, we want to really focus on dry skin. This tends to appear a little reddish, brittle and rough. You may also suffer from a feeling of tightness or even flaking. External and internal factors, which we will look at shortly, often even worsen these symptoms.
Internal Influences – Focus on Diet and Psyche
You are certainly familiar with the saying that the skin is the mirror of the soul. Indeed, as so often, there is a grain of truth in it. Observe yourself: Are you feeling good right now, do you have energy and are you looking forward to everyday life? Then your skin probably looks rosy and plump. If, on the other hand, you are going through a bad phase, feeling down and drained, this will also show on your face.
However, the effects of our mental state are always dependent on genetics. While some tend to have dry skin on their face during stressful phases, for others the phenomenon manifests as skin blemishes. In addition, one's own epidermis can change over time. In younger years, sebum production is in full swing for most people. Later, however, it is weakened by hormonal changes and the natural aging process.
To maintain moisture, many rely on water. And rightly so, because drinking is essential to nourish our skin. But diet also plays an important role. Alcohol dehydrates, as do very salty foods. Fruits and vegetables, on the other hand, provide moisture. In addition, our largest organ naturally needs a lot of nutrients, vitamins, and the like. A deficiency, however, can lead to the symptoms described above.
External Influences – when the weather affects the skin
Most people know that the weather can affect our mood. But did you know that it can also change our outward appearance? For example, extreme heat or cold causes the skin to lose too much moisture. It begins to feel tight and itchy. In addition, sudden temperature changes, as we often experience between seasons, can have this effect.
Do you like to spend time in the sun in summer, love swimming and tanning? This can result in even the deeper layers of the epidermis being deprived of fats and moisture. To counteract this, you should protect yourself against UV rays – especially when caring for your eyes. In another article, we explained how to find the best sunscreen for this purpose.
In general, of course, it's important to properly care for dry skin on your face. This requires the right products. But remember: less is more. Focus on using high-quality creams, serums, and the like that are tailored to your individual needs. You should avoid irritating additives like alcohol and parabens. What is welcome, however, and how you can extensively pamper rough skin, we'll tell you next!
Dry skin on the face – care is key!
The optimal way to combat dry skin on the face would, of course, be to eliminate the causes. But it's not always easy to change your diet, avoid the sun, and certainly not possible to change your own genetics. However, you don't have to despair, because the right care can work almost miracles.
Cleansing inspired by Korean tradition
We rely on the 10 Steps Korean Skincare Routine. And you can adapt this to your needs at any time with the right products. This starts with the first step, cleansing. Oils are an important, preparatory measure for removing makeup on dry facial skin. They also provide rich ingredients. Our recommendation: KLAIRS Gentle Black Deep Cleansing Oil.
Since we follow the Korean model of two cleansing steps, the cleanser is next. Here it is particularly important that you choose a gentle product that is pH-neutral. An example would be the KLAIRS Rich Moist Foaming Cleanser. It also has moisturizing properties. You should, however, avoid irritating cleansers with alcohol, fragrances, and the like.
Afterward, it's the toner's turn. It forms the transition from cleansing to care and provides the dry skin on the face with much-needed moisture. It can also have a soothing effect and give you a certain glow. Here too, be sure to use products that are tailored to your needs. For example, the PYUNKANG YUL Mist Toner 200ml or the KLAIRS Supple Preparation Facial Unscented Toner.
Do you need an extra dose of care? Then apply products with snail mucin after cleansing!
The extra dose of care for dry skin on the face
Unfortunately, thorough cleansing and a good moisturizer are usually not enough to adequately care for dry skin on the face. Instead, you need a few more steps in between. The first should be the Essence. It brings important ingredients that provide moisture and can contribute to cell renewal. We recommend, for example, the COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence or the COSRX Galactomyces 95 Tone Balancing Essence.
Once the essence has absorbed, it's time for the serum. You should also tailor this ampoule very precisely to your skin. If you tend to have dry skin, it can help reduce or prevent wrinkles. In general, however, its task is to improve the complexion. For this, we recommend, for example, the KLAIRS Rich Moist Soothing Serum or the iUnik Beta-Glucan Power Moisture Serum.
In addition to daily care, you can also give your dry facial skin an extra boost of moisture twice a week. This comes from masks, more precisely sleeping masks or sheet masks. You simply apply such products and leave them on for several hours, or even better, overnight, to hydrate the affected areas.
Proven care from creams
We all know them: the classic moisturizers. And you've probably noticed that manufacturers provide information here that distinguishes different products for oily, dry, and very dry skin. You should definitely follow these guidelines. Because depending on the type, the composition is different and can thus produce the best possible results.
Such creams for dry facial skin can feel a bit heavy. This is the case, for example, with particularly rich variants like the KLAIRS Rich Moist Soothing Cream. If you don't like that, you can also opt for a lighter option. We recommend, among others, the PYUNKANG YUL Nutrition Cream.
All steps completed? Then you're almost ready to start your day. But before you go, it's best to protect yourself from the sun. Creams like the Missha All-around Sun Milk with a high SPF contain an extra portion of care. At the same time, they protect against harmful UV rays – even on rainy days!
More tips for dry facial skin
Once you've adjusted your skincare routine, you can also support it with some additional measures. We have already emphasized that diet plays a big role and can significantly influence your complexion. Therefore, we would like to give you some final tips on what you should pay attention to:
- Water: Skin is our largest organ and it also has a corresponding need for moisture – mainly H₂O. So drink enough; for the average adult, we are talking about two to three liters daily.
- Biotin: This vitamin ensures that moisture is stored better and the skin itself becomes more resistant. You can get it from oats, salmon, spinach, and milk, for example.
- Zinc: If your skin is itchy and tight, a zinc deficiency could be the cause. Supplement it or simply snack on some pumpkin and sunflower seeds or oat bars. Meat also contains this trace element.
- Antioxidants: They prevent skin aging and simultaneously prevent dehydration. You can find them mainly in reddish fruits like apricots, carrots, and bell peppers.
- Omega 3: Typically obtained from fish, but also found in e.g. flaxseed oil, it can help make your skin more resilient.
You should, in turn, avoid too much alcohol and coffee. Seasoning with too much salt is also counterproductive, as are trans fats. Reach for fresh foods rather than grabbing something from the fast food store next door. And finally: get enough sleep. Because during this time, your skin can recover!
Further links
www.apotheken-umschau.de/.../trockene-haut-ursachen-und-tipps
www.stern.de/.../trockene-gesichtshaut--die-pflegetipps-helfen
www.eatbetter.de/ernaehrung-bei-trockener-haut-diese-lebensmittel-helfen-wirklich
