No one likes having dry skin. It can be itchy, flaky, and ashy, and it can even affect your confidence. Having chronic dry skin can also be a sign of certain health conditions. These factors can create a stigma around having dry skin. No wonder you seemingly see everyone going to great lengths to keep their skin moisturized.
What you might be surprised to learn is that it can also be bad for your skin to keep it over-moisturized. Here, we will look at strategies to keep your skin from drying out. You can accomplish this without over-moisturizing by using a hydrating facial cleanser. If you are reaching for the moisturizer several times a day to treat dry skin, you may be over-moisturizing. This could lead to any of the following reactions.
Unexplained Small Bumps All Over Your Skin
If you notice small bumps on spots you have been moisturizing, that could be a sign you’re overdoing it. These kinds of bumps often occur when something in your skin care routine changes and your skin reacts. There could be several causes of the small bumps, such as using a new product. If the only recent change is the amount you are moisturizing, it could be worth cutting down to see if the bumps go away.
Skin Has Somehow Gotten Drier
If your skin actually gets drier the more you moisturize, this is an indicator that your skin’s barrier is breaking down. This makes it more vulnerable to drying out, nullifying the efforts you are putting in to help your dry skin in the first place.
Breakouts
Acne, pimples, and breakouts are a normal part of life. Genetics and other factors can play their part. That said, your skin regimen does also play an important role. If you are suddenly experiencing breakouts after increasing your moisturizer, it may be worth scaling back a bit.
Clogged Pores
Some people increase their moisturizing efforts and notice that they get more clogged pores as a result. This could be a sign that your skin is losing its natural protection. Your skin naturally produces sebum, which helps protect it. Reduced sebum production can lead to increased clogged pores.
Alternative Methods of Treating Dry Skin
We’ve gone over the various signs that you might be over-moisturizing your skin. Given the reactions noted above, let’s now look at some top tips for treating dryness.
1. Properly Hydrate
One of the most important things you can do to keep your skin from drying out is something that you likely already know to do for your body. Yes, we are telling you to make sure to drink enough water. Keeping your skin healthy is just one of the many benefits of drinking plenty of water.
2. Using the Right Moisturizer
One reason you might feel the need to over-moisturize is that you are using the wrong type of moisturizer. For example, you really want to be treating your skin with a moisturizer for dry skin. When a moisturizer is formulated specifically for dry skin, you are less likely to need to slather it on to relieve dryness. You can also maximize its effectiveness by applying it to your skin when it is damp, to lock in moisture.
3. Avoid Harsh Facial Cleansers and Soaps
One of the major culprits in drying out your skin is how you cleanse it. To help keep your skin from drying out, avoid overly harsh facial cleansers and soaps. Stick to a gentle hydrating facial cleanser and a mild body soap. Doing so will reduce the stripping of your skin barrier and the loss of naturally occurring healthy oils. This will help treat it.
4. Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring substance produced by the human body, and it is particularly found in the skin, eyes, and joints. It helps keep joints working and prevents negative reactions by keeping bones from hitting each other. It also keeps skin stretchy and flexible, helping keep your eyes from drying out.
There are products on the market that contain hyaluronic acid. Research has shown that this ingredient can provide numerous benefits for your skin, including reducing dryness. Serums or moisturizers that contain hyaluronic acid help keep skin hydrated, plump, and supple. This is because hyaluronic acid acts as a humectant, attracting and retaining water molecules. In addition to hydrating your skin, it is also known to strengthen your skin barrier. This increases the skin’s ability to heal more quickly and effectively.
Using moisturizers or serums with this ingredient can also help reduce trans-epidermal water loss. This is the process by which water evaporates from your skin through the epidermis, its outermost layer.
5. Avoid Over-Exfoliating or Over-Washing
Try not to over-exfoliate or over-bathe. Doing so can negatively affect your skin barrier. This can leave your skin feeling dry and itchy. It can also limit your skin’s natural ability to protect you from the elements.
Keeping Your Skin Feeling Healthy
Hopefully, these tips for keeping your skin from drying out have been helpful. However, too much of anything is rarely a good thing, even when it comes to moisturizing. Finding the right balance is key to keeping your skin feeling healthy.