Dry skin on the face is one of the most common skin problems – after all, it affects an estimated 10 million people in Germany every year. Here you can find out what the exact causes can be and helpful tips on how to best treat dry skin.
Dry Skin on Your Face
You can recognize dry skin (medically: xerosis cutis) by flaky and rough areas. Often the skin feels tight or even hurts. Dry skin on the face can have various causes – many people tend to have increased dryness with increasing age, but there are both internal and external influences that cause dry skin.
Fortunately, in most cases, dry skin can be managed easily and quickly with the right care and suitable ingredients. Only in individual cases and with certain symptoms should you talk to a dermatologist about it.
What Is Dry Skin on The Face?
It is completely normal for the skin to lose fat and moisture throughout the day. The body releases fluid and lipids (fats) to the epidermis, so that the balance is maintained. With dry skin, there is an imbalance, so the skin can no longer regulate itself and can store less moisture and produce fewer fats.
Signs of Dry Skin
- Feeling of tightness
- Flaking
- Redness
- Rough skin texture
- Fine cracks
- Itching
- Dryness lines and fine lines
- Pain
In addition to the face, the hands, forearms (especially elbows), shins, and feet are particularly prone to dryness.
Difference Between Dry and Dehydrated Skin
Dry skin primarily lacks fat and lipids, while dehydrated skin is characterized by a lack of water. The latter can occur with any skin type (even oily skin!) – the skin looks dull and feels tight after cleansing. Dry skin, on the other hand, is a skin type that is often genetically determined and constantly feels rough, often accompanied by itching.
Both skin conditions also require different ingredients: Dry skin relies on lipids (fats) and oils, while dehydrated skin needs more water and moisture-binding active ingredients.
Dry or Dehydrated? The Test
Apply a water-based hydrating serum: Does the skin relax or does the feeling of tightness remain? 1. Then your skin is dehydrated. 2. Then your skin is dry.
Causes of Dry Facial Skin
External Factors
- Weather: Both cold and heat stress the skin, causing it to lose more moisture. In low humidity (e.g. due to dry heating air or dry heat), the skin also dries out more quickly. But increased sweating can also dehydrate the skin, as it releases more moisture.
- Sun: Sunlight also has positive effects, as it is the only way to produce vitamin D. However, too much sun damages the skin. Not only because of potential skin damage and sunburn, but also because the barrier is weakened and the skin is dehydrated.
- Irritating ingredients: Certain ingredients or the wrong combination of active ingredients can dry out the skin.
- Chemicals: With a lot of contact with chemicals, the skin can also become irritated and dried out.
- Frequent contact with water/swimming: Long showers or baths extract moisture from the skin and can dry it out long-term. Frequent swimming, especially in chlorinated water, can often cause skin problems and promote dryness.
Internal Factors
- Genetics: Some people are genetically more predisposed to dry skin.
- Hormonal fluctuations: Various hormones influence the skin's condition: for example, the skin can change during pregnancy or menopause and tend to be drier.
- Stress: It's not without reason that there's a saying that the skin is the mirror of the soul. Stress can also negatively affect the skin and lead to more impurities or dryness.
- Medication: Dry facial skin can also occur as a side effect of certain medications. Be sure to talk to your doctor or pharmacist about this.
- Other diseases such as thyroid diseases or diabetes: Certain diseases such as an underactive thyroid can be a cause of dry skin. The thyroid is also responsible for hormone production – a disorder can affect the skin, hair and nails.
- Vitamin deficiency: An unbalanced diet and a lack of important vitamins and nutrients can also significantly affect the skin and dryness.
- Dehydration: Drinking plenty of water is not only generally important for our body, but also for our skin. The body can only supply the skin with fluid if it has enough available.
- Nicotine and alcohol: Nicotine and alcohol consumption damages organs and nerves and also affects the skin and can lead to dryness.
But various skin diseases can also be the cause of severe dryness. Neurodermatitis, eczema, psoriasis and others can be accompanied by dryness.
What Helps against Dry Skin on the Face?
The Right Skincare Routine
For your skincare routine, you should choose mild products. Especially the cleansing should be very gentle to your skin and protect the skin barrier. You should definitely avoid irritating ingredients and fragrances.
Instead, moisturizing products and natural oils are ideal to support and balance your skin's moisture balance.
Important Ingredients
For dry skin, you should pay attention to the following ingredients and definitely include them in your routine:
- Hyaluronic acid binds large amounts of water in the skin and, depending on the molecular size, provides intensive moisture both superficially and in deeper layers.
- Glycerin draws moisture from the environment into the skin and helps keep it supple and hydrated long-term.
- Urea has a strong moisturizing effect at low concentrations and simultaneously supports the natural skin barrier.
- Aloe Vera provides light moisture, has a cooling effect, and immediately soothes irritated or dry skin.
- Sodium PCA is a natural component of the skin and helps to bind moisture and keep the water balance stable.
- Ceramides are essential lipids that strengthen the skin barrier and prevent moisture loss.
- Niacinamide strengthens the skin barrier, improves moisture balance, and can also reduce redness.
- Panthenol soothes the skin, promotes regeneration, and improves moisture supply.
- Squalane is a skin-identical lipid that softens the skin without making it greasy and locks in moisture.
- Shea butter has an intensely replenishing effect, protects the skin from drying out, and makes it supple.
- Plant oils (such as jojoba, almond, etc.) supply the skin with lipids, strengthen the barrier, and help retain moisture in the skin.
- Vaseline forms a protective film on the skin that effectively prevents moisture loss.
- Allantoin soothes the skin, supports regeneration, and makes it smoother and softer.
- Bisabolol has anti-inflammatory properties and helps to alleviate redness and irritation.
- Centella Asiatica promotes skin healing, strengthens the barrier, and has a soothing effect on sensitive skin.
- Oat extract soothes irritated skin, relieves itching, and supports the restoration of the skin barrier.
The Best Products for Dry Facial Skin
Transparent Lab – Oil-based Cleanser
18,90 €
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SKIN1004 – Madagascar Centella Light Cleansing Oil
ab 8,90 €
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Skintegra – Nectar
17,90 €
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facetheory – CeraNight Rejuvenating Night Oil
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Transparent Lab – Barrier Restoring Hydrating Cream
17,90 €
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Cosrx – Ultimate Nourishing Rice Overnight Spa Mask
24,90 €
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Beauty of Joseon – Relief Sun: Rice + Probiotics
25,90 €
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Dry Skin on The Face in Winter: Special Tips
Especially in winter, many people tend to have rather dry skin. It is therefore worthwhile to adjust your skincare routine in winter and focus on more moisture.
It also helps to set up humidifiers at home to counteract the dry heating air.
When Should You See a Doctor?
You should see a doctor if your skin continues to dry out despite consistent care measures or if its condition even worsens. Also, if a skin rash occurs or symptoms such as hair loss and brittle nails are added, this can indicate an underlying cause.
Warning signs also include severe itching, pain, as well as inflamed, weeping areas or non-healing crusts. If general symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, weight loss, unusually severe thirst, frequent urination or fever occur, you should definitely have this medically clarified. The same applies if the skin problems are related to taking medication.
I hope you enjoyed this post and found it helpful! Please let me know if you have any comments or questions.
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