what is dry skin?
Dry skin appears flaky, ashy and dull and is a result of the disturbed skin barrier. It produces less sebum (our skin’s natural oil) and needs a lot of hydration because the skin barrier does not keep water inside. Dry skin can be sensitive that is it is not able to keep allergenic ingredients out.
In simple words, dry sensitive skin is unprotected. Ingredients in different products might cause irritation, redness, itchiness, or more dryness in your skin.
So the goal here is to use products that hydrate your skin, decrease skin sensitivity, and fight acne.
Some people might confuse dry skin with dehydrated so it is important to know the difference between the two. Look for these specific signs to determine which one you have.
difference between dry and dehydrated skin
Dry skin
Although it is a skin type dry skin can also be a temporary skin condition.
Dry skin has small pores the skin feels tight, the skin may be flaky, milia, blackheads and spots may be present, and the skin looks dull skin and is not plump. it doesn’t absorb products easily, dry skin is easily irritated, and more likely to suffer reactions to products.
For dry skin look for products using words like nourishing, Bioderma Atoderm Crème is a good moisturizer for dry skin.
Dehydrated skin
It is a skin condition that can affect any skin type which means even oily skin types can have dehydrated skin. It is caused by a lack of water in the skin.
If you have dehydrated skin your skin will feel tight and dry (if you have oily skin your skin can still look shiny and have breakouts). Pores on the skin can be large or small. blackheads and spots are still visible.
The skin has an ashy appearance. Dehydrated skin absorbs moisturizers really quickly in fact if you apply makeup you will notice makeup disappears and goes patchy throughout the day as the skin absorbs any water in your foundation.
For dehydrated skin look for products using words like hydrating like Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Water Gel
It is very common for people to have both dry as well as dehydrated skin Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream for Dry & Sensitive Skin is a great moisturizer for dry sensitive and dehydrated skin
How to treat your acne?
Salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide are the best over-the-counter options available for treating acne however they can be drying and irritating for dry skin types in that case you should visit your dermatologist who gives you some topical or oral medicines for acne which won’t irritate your skin.
If there are a few pimples you can apply salicylic acid on those spots, this is what I do for a few pimples I get here and there on my skin. It works for me.
Skincare routine for folks with dry sensitive skin
So the first step in your routine is going to be cleansing. Use a gentle cleanser like Cetaphil gentle skin cleanser to wash your face or you can also use a cold cream like Ponds cold cream as cold creams are less drying compared to a cleanser.
The next step should be for the treatment of the skin is to treat other concerns your skin is facing like post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH), acne scars, dark spots, age spots, etc.
To treat hyperpigmentation and dark spots you need products that are powerful brightening agents because the skin has darkened itself in that area to protect itself so to reverse that damage we need ingredients that can lighten that area by lifting the pigment and make your skin even toned.
There are many brightening agents available in the market and they all have different levels of strength. So if you are just starting out I recommend you use a product that is gentle and slowly builds up your strength depending on how your skin responds.
If you do not notice any difference with the gentle products then you should level up the strength.
What skincare ingredients are good for treating hyperpigmentation, dark spots, acne scars, etc?
I listed below some of the best ingredients and serums to treat PIH, acne scars, and dark spots. These ingredients also help in reducing acne. use any one of the products listed below
- Tranexamic acid – it helps in brightening the discoloration on our skin, fading dark spots, and hyperpigmentation, is well tolerated by all skin types, and works well with other ingredients. Minimalist 3% Tranexamic Acid Face Serum is a great serum for acne scars and dark spots.
- Niacinamide – niacinamide reduces sensitivity and irritation on the skin, it’s also a very good brightening agent plus it is gentle, it works well with other ingredients, and is well tolerated by most people’s skin. You can use a niacinamide product alone like the ordinary niacinamide or you can use it as a product with other helpful ingredients as well.
- Retinol – apart from reducing wrinkles, and reversing sun damage it also helps in fading hyperpigmentation and dark spots.
- Alpha arbutin – it’s a very powerful brightening agent, you should try it if the above ingredients are not working for you. It is very good at stubborn fading dark spots and hyperpigmentation. Minimalist 2% Alpha Arbutin Serum for Pigmentation & Dark Spots Removal is a good affordable option for alpha Arbutin.
After this next step should be moisturizing the skin, I have recommended some good affordable options in the above section and if budget is not your concern then you can try these which are some of the best in the market.
- rovectin Clean Lotus Water Cream (dry sensitive skin)
- Aveeno Calm+Restore Oat Gel Moisturizer (dry/oily/combination)
- Versed Dew Point Moisturizing Gel-Cream (dry)
- Skinfix Barrier + Lipid-Peptide Cream (dry)
Best sunscreens for dry sensitive acne prone skin
The final step in the routine should be sunscreen unless it’s nighttime because sun rays are very harmful to our skin and the number one cause of aging skin. Some of the best sunscreens out there in the market are La Shield SPF 40 & PA+++ Mineral Based Sunscreen Gel.
