Are you worried that “even if I apply plenty of lotion, my skin feels dry by the evening”?
Sometimes your foundation flakes and your makeup doesn’t sit well, right?
Many cases of dry skin can be improved by reviewing the order and method of your skincare routine.
In this article, we will introduce the causes of dry skin, a 5-step skincare routine you can do even with affordable products, and common bad habits.
Try incorporating what you can starting from tonight’s care.
Why does skin become dry? Let’s understand the causes
Dry skin occurs when the “barrier function” that protects the skin’s moisture weakens.
The barrier function is mainly supported by the following three elements:
・Sebum that prevents moisture evaporation
・Natural moisturizing factors that hold moisture within the skin
・Ceramides that fill the gaps between cells to keep moisture in
When these decrease, the barrier function weakens, making it easier for moisture to escape and for itching or redness to occur.
So, why does the barrier function weaken?
Here, we will introduce three main causes for a weakened barrier function.
Dry air and air conditioning
From autumn to winter, humidity drops, making it easier for skin moisture to be stripped away.
Since indoor air can easily become dry due to air conditioning in the summer as well, caution is needed regardless of the season.
When dry air persists, the skin’s surface becomes parched, and the barrier function easily weakens.
You can easily increase humidity just by drying laundry indoors or hanging up a wet towel.
When going out, it is also effective to protect your skin from cold wind with a mask or scarf.
Decrease in sebum and ceramides due to aging
The amounts of sebum and ceramides tend to decrease with age.
Because the components that support the barrier function decrease, it becomes easier for skin to dry out than before.
Many people start to suddenly notice dryness once they reach their 30s or 40s.
Since these levels decrease even more after 50, you should aim for more careful moisturizing.
Be aware that skin condition is also prone to instability after childbirth or during seasonal changes.
Incorrect skincare and lifestyle habits
Casual daily habits may also be weakening your barrier function.
・Washing too much with facial cleanser, removing necessary sebum
・Scrubbing the skin hard, damaging the surface
・Lack of sleep, disrupting skin turnover
・Unbalanced diet, leading to a lack of nutrients to build skin
For meals, consume a good balance of protein, which is the building block of skin, and vitamins that regulate skin condition.
Check if there are any habits leading to dryness hidden in your usual care or lifestyle.
5 recommended skincare steps for dry skin
From here, we will introduce 5 steps for daily dry skin care.
All of these can be practiced with items available at drugstores, so please feel free to try them.
Step 1: Cleanse gently and quickly
For those with dry skin, it is important to choose a cleanser that is gentle on the skin.
Choosing a gentle milk or cream type will make it harder to strip away moisture.
When using it, be conscious of the following points:
・Use the soft parts of your fingers, not your fingertips, to blend it in as if stroking the skin
・Once it blends with your makeup, rinse it off without taking too much time
Be careful, as leaving it on your skin for a long time can easily remove necessary moisture along with your makeup.
On days when you wear waterproof makeup, using a point makeup remover can reduce the burden on your skin.
Since some cleansers can be used with wet hands and others cannot, it is safe to check before purchasing.
Step 2: Wash with plenty of foam and lukewarm water
Lather your facial cleanser well, and wash by stroking the skin using the foam as a cushion.
For rinsing, water around 32–36°C is recommended.
Avoid hot water, as it removes necessary sebum.
When wiping your face, do not rub with a towel; just press it lightly.
If you are not good at lathering, using a facial cleanser that comes out as foam is easy.
Try choosing a low-irritation cleanser that contains moisturizing ingredients.
Step 3: Replenish moisture with lotion immediately after washing
After washing, your skin will continue to dry out if you do nothing.
Once you have wiped off the water with a towel, apply lotion as soon as possible.
Here are three tips for applying lotion:
・Use hand-pressing to wrap your entire face with your palms
・Apply in several portions, using the amount written on the product as a guide
・Layer on areas where you are concerned about dryness, such as the cheeks and around the eyes
Applying with your hands rather than rubbing with a cotton pad can reduce the burden on your skin.
For lotion, it is best to choose a “moist type” that has less alcohol and contains moisturizing ingredients.
Step 4: Add moisturizing ingredients with serum
Recently, there are more affordable serums that contain moisturizing ingredients like ceramides.
They are easy to find at drugstores, so try incorporating one after your lotion.
When choosing, try to focus on the following moisturizing ingredients:
・Ceramides
・Hyaluronic acid
・Amino acids
Among these, ceramides are important components that support the skin’s barrier function.
Hyaluronic acid is excellent at holding moisture and makes the skin feel supple.
Amino acids are similar to the moisturizing components originally in the skin, so they are characterized by being easily absorbed.
Apply the serum while your skin is still moist after the lotion.
Step 5: Seal it in with milky lotion or cream
The moisture provided by lotions and serums will evaporate if left as is.
Finally, seal in the moisture with an oil-based product like milk or cream.
For areas that are particularly dry, it is safe to apply an extra layer of cream.
On busy mornings, you can use an all-in-one gel instead of milk.
It is also recommended to use different products, such as a richer cream at night and a lighter milk in the morning.
Once you have finished caring for your face, be sure to moisturize your entire body, including your arms, shins, and heels.
It is easier to maintain the habit if you apply body lotion or cream after drying off and before getting dressed.
3 Bad Habits People with Dry Skin Should Avoid
Even if you continue with the 5 steps, minor habits can prolong dryness.
Here, we have summarized three points to be careful about, separate from your daily care.
Please check to see if any of these apply to you.
NG #1: Scratching itchy skin caused by dryness
Dry skin is prone to itching, and you might find yourself scratching it with your hands.
Scratching damages the skin’s surface and causes the barrier function to weaken further.
As a result, this can lead to a vicious cycle where the itching intensifies, causing you to scratch even more.
When you feel itchy, try to manage it by applying moisturizer or gently pressing a cold towel against the area.
NG #2: Trying to manage concerning symptoms only with self-care
While there is much you can do for dry skin on your own, caution is required depending on the condition of your skin.
In the following cases, do not just rely on self-care; consult a dermatologist as soon as possible:
・You have intense itching, redness, or pain
・You have cracks or bleeding
・Dryness persists even after reviewing your skincare routine
Even if you think it is just dry skin, other skin problems may be hidden underneath.
Since they can advise you on care and medication suited to your skin condition, please consult a professional instead of worrying alone.
NG #3: Over-exfoliating the skin surface with scrubs or wipe-off products
When you are concerned about roughness or stiffness, you might want to use a scrub cleanser or peeling product.
However, if people with dry skin use these frequently, they will strip away the moisture barrier on the skin’s surface.
Since stiffness is often a sign of dryness, first try reviewing your moisturizing routine.
If you want to use them, it is recommended to do so sparingly when your skin is in good condition.
Summary | Aim for Moist Skin with Proper Skincare Habits
Dry skin occurs when the skin’s barrier function weakens due to factors like dry air, aging, and daily habits.
To protect moisture, it is important to continue the following 5 steps every day:
・Cleanse gently and quickly
・Wash your face with plenty of foam and lukewarm water
・Replenish moisture with lotion immediately after washing
・Add moisturizing ingredients with a serum
・Seal it in with milk or cream
Additionally, be careful not to scratch itchy areas or over-exfoliate the skin surface.
You don’t need to use expensive items; you can care for your skin sufficiently with affordable cosmetics from the drugstore.
Just by slightly reviewing your daily skincare, your skin will respond little by little.
Aiming for moist skin, let’s start what you can from tonight’s care.
