Skin dryness, itchiness and discomfort can be an issue even if you keep it well-moisturised.
How’s that possible? Well, chances are you’re making a few common yet easily avoidable skincare mistakes that lead to dehydration!
By eliminating these mistakes from your daily beauty routine, you’ll enjoy beautiful, nourished, radiant skin in no time.
Here are 11 dry skincare mistakes to avoid.
Mistake #1 Your face wash is too harsh
Many traditional face wash products are too harsh and dehydrate the skin. Of course, you want to enjoy squeaky clean skin, but to keep it healthy and moisturised, you should eliminate products that harm the skin barrier and strip away the skin’s natural oils.
Such products often include harmful and harsh ingredients like alcohol, benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, preservatives etc., that dry out the skin and leave it with that awful feeling of tightness!
Choose organic, vegan, plant-based, cruelty-free and non-toxic natural skin care products instead, as they work for any skin type and are as effective as mainstream face washes.
Mistake #2 You wash your face too often
Many people don’t know that we don’t need to wash our faces twice or more times a day! We actually shouldn’t, as it can strip the skin of its natural oils. Skip cleansers in the mornings and reserve them only for the evenings. A little bit of water will be more than enough in the AM.
Mistake #3 You go to bed with a face full of makeup
This mistake is the opposite of #2! Don’t ever go to bed without washing your face, especially if you wear makeup. It sounds unbelievable, but not just teenagers sometimes skip removing makeup and go to bed with a face full of foundation.
This clogs the pores and may cause breakouts, but it also dehydrates and irritates the skin leaving it dry and patchy. Always take the makeup off no matter how late it is or how tired you are.
Mistake #4 Your toner is too harsh
If you’re experiencing dry skin, your face toner is likely too harsh. We use toner to make our pores smaller and our faces less shiny, but if the product contains alcohol or glycol, it will cause the skin to dehydrate and look dry and patchy.
Avoid products with such ingredients and maybe skip toner altogether if your skin is very dry or use flower waters (e.g. rosewater) as an alternative.
Mistake #5 You exfoliate too much
Most skin care specialists will recommend exfoliation as a way to remove dead skin cells and keep the complexion fresh and glowing. However, if you exfoliate too often or use a harsh scrub, you can injure and irritate the skin. That leads to a dry and uneven complexion.
It’s enough to exfoliate 1-2 times a week to achieve glowing skin, and always choose just gentle exfoliators.
Mistake #6 You use essential oils on your face
Most essential oils smell diving; however, you should never apply them directly to your face as they could cause allergies and dry skin. Don’t add them to your moisturisers or oils yourself, either.
Many people experience dryness, flakiness and redness as essential oils are very concentrated and are simply too harsh to use directly on your skin.
Mistake #7 You’re using unsuitable moisturiser
Our skin changes as we grow and age, so choosing the right moisturiser and knowing when to change our once staple products for something more suitable is crucial.
At a younger age, we usually use something lighter, like an emulsion or gel, but as we get older and start developing wrinkles and fine lines, we should switch to anti-ageing products to achieve results.
Besides that, some people don’t know their skin type at any age! So to get the best benefits from your moisturiser, try to identify your actual skin type and consult with a dermatologist if in doubt.
Once you do, we recommend choosing natural and certified organic Australian skincare brands for the best results.
Lastly, don’t moisturise the skin obsessively as over moisturising can also cause dry skin as your skin produces less moisture on its own.
Mistake #8 You’re applying the moisturisers and serums wrong
Even when you have the right moisturiser, you might be applying it wrong! Most people use their creams and emulsions on dry skin, but you should keep the skin damp to increase the product’s effects and benefits by locking the moisture in the skin.
So don’t grab that towel straight out of the shower and first take care of your face with your favourite products.
Mistake #9 You’re not using sunscreen
We shouldn’t even be telling this, but using sunscreen is an absolute must and skipping it may cause dry skin and many other issues.
SPF protects your skin from sun and pollution damage, premature ageing, fine lines, rough texture and age spots and, of course, could help prevent skin cancer.
Apply skincare every day before leaving the house and reapply as needed during the day.
Mistake #10 You’re skipping serums and oils
If you’re noticing that your skin has gotten dryer and yet still not adding any serums or oils to your skincare routine, you’re making a big mistake!
Serums are enriched with potent ingredients like hyaluronic acid or peptides that deliver much more hydration than a moisturiser. These products offer significant benefits as they can simultaneously target issues like poor texture or premature ageing.
Oils are an excellent addition to the routine, as they lock the moisture in and protect the skin barrier. You can use the oils directly on your face or blend them into your favourite moisturiser. The best oils to try are jojoba, rosehip, argan, and grapeseed.
Mistake #11 You’re taking too hot showers & baths
Who doesn’t love a hot shower, especially on a cold winter’s night? And while it may be pleasant and relaxing, scalding hot water is an enemy of the skin. It can dehydrate and dry out the skin, cause redness and even flakiness and harm your skin barrier leading to premature ageing and other issues.
So keep your showers and baths warm instead of boiling hot!
