Photo: @alessyafarrugiaa

Dry skin on the face and other body parts can be a struggle, especially when it comes with additional stressors like patchy spots and flakiness. For people with dry skin, it is essential to choose moisturizers that provide an all-round hydrating and moisturizing effect to tackle dryness. This article discusses how to choose and use the best moisturizer for dry skin. 

What causes dry skin?

It is only normal to want to know the cause of something before proceeding to treatment. So, questions like “What causes dry skin?” tend to abound in search queries.  Dry skin occurs due to the body's inability to produce natural sebum or oil to hydrate the skin. However, years of endless research have yet to produce the exact cause, as dry skin has only been theorized to be a result of several contributing factors. These factors range from old age, environmental factors, harsh skin products and treatments, existing skin conditions, and genetics.

Choosing the best face moisturizer for your dry skin 

This section explains how to choose and use a face moisturizer for people with dry skin:

What ingredients does a good moisturizer for dry skin have?

Many commercial dry skin treatments single out certain components that promise to hydrate your skin for as long as possible. These components either belong to the category of occlusives (creates an invisible layer on the skin to retain skin moisture and prevent dehydration), humectants (attracts water and moisture from the environment and traps them to the skin surface), or emollients (fills in cracks in dry skin to soften, hydrate, and smoothen the surface.)

Top face moisturizers for dry skin should contain one or more of these components in greater percentage to fully hydrate your skin. Common component to watch out for include Squalene, Hyaluronic acid, Glycerin, Ceramics, Natural Oils like Coconut and Olive Oil, Shea Butter, and more.

For people with sensitive, dry skin, especially dry acne-prone skin, certain moisturizing components can clog your pores and worsen acne breakouts if found in your face moisturizer. Always opt for moisturizing products with humectants such as Dermaclara Hyaluronic acid moisturizer as most emollients and occlusives are comedogenic and oily. 

Should a moisturizer for dry skin include SPF?

A good body or face moisturizer for dry skin should include an SPF of 30 and above to protect the skin against wrinkles, sunburns, and premature aging during hot days. 

When should you apply a moisturizer for dry skin? 

Many people only moisturize when they have to go outdoors or if someone points out the dryness of their skin. The most important times to moisturize your skin are after having a bath, a particularly hot shower, shaving, waxing, and exfoliating. These grooming activities strip moisture and natural oils off the skin and cause dryness. Hence, it is essential to moisturize to replenish the lost hydration. 

How to apply a moisturizer for dry skin? 

Perhaps you recently purchased the best moisturizer for dry sensitive skin, and you need help using or incorporating it into your pre-existing skin routine. Moisturizing goes beyond slathering the product into your skin. It should be appropriately applied if you seek great results. 

Here's the right way to apply the best facial moisturizer;

• Face Wash/Clean your face before applying: A key rule to using your face moisturizer is never to apply it on your dirty face. Regardless of how dry your skin may feel at that moment, endeavor to wash yours with a good hydrating face wash like Dermaclara Claraprep Face Wash before you use your moisturizer. After washing, pat dry your wet face until it becomes damp (wet but not dripping with water), and scoop the right amount of moisturizer. Dermatologists recommend you use a nickel-sized amount of moisturizer. This may vary depending on your moisturizer's consistency and face size. Massage the moisturizer into your skin gently and ensure you apply a little to your ears, neck, and decolletage. 
• Apply it at the end if you have a skincare routine: For people with an existing skincare routine with dry skin, incorporating a new moisturizer into your routine might be tricky, considering you have a list of serums, spot treatments, and skin products to use. A basic rule for applying all your skin products is, to begin with the treatment product with the lightest consistency before advancing to heavy ones. This simple skin layering tip ensures the proper absorption of your treatments. Finish your routine with your best face moisturizer by tapping it into the skin gently. 
• Body: Hydrating dry skin on other parts of the body is hardly mentioned as the emphasis is usually placed on the face. Depending on the severity of dryness on your skin, it takes one or a combination of different moisturizers for dry skin to achieve healthy skin. If you've chosen the right body moisturizer for your skin, here's how to apply it:
• Wash up before applying your moisturizer and pat your body dry to remove excess water.
• Take a handful of your moisturizer and massage it onto your damp skin. Pay attention to extremely dry areas like your knuckles, knees, and elbows. 
• Lock in moisturize with a moisturizing body oil
• Finally, apply your SPF sunscreen. 

How often should you use a moisturizer for dry skin?

People with dry skin are advised to moisturize twice a day, especially in the morning and evening. While this works for the majority, some people experience extreme skin dryness that may require constant moisturizer throughout the day. 

The simple answer is to moisturize your skin whenever you experience sudden dryness, or you feel you need to. Hence, we advise you to carry around a mini or portable moisturizer container, especially during the cold, windy weather to keep your skin silky and healthy.

Should a moisturizer for dry skin include SPF?