No one likes having dry skin. It can be itchy, flaky, ashy and can even affect your confidence level. 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 for keeping your skin from getting dry. You can accomplish this without over-moisturizing, such as utilizing a hydrating facial cleanser. If you are reaching for the moisturizer several times a day in order to treat dry skin, you could 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 your skin on spots that you have been moisturizing, that could be a sign that you’re overdoing it. These kinds of bumps often happen when something in your skin care routine has changed and your skin is reacting to it. There could be a number of causes of the small bumps, like 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 appears to actually be getting drier the more that 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 experiencing breakouts all of a sudden after an increase in moisturizing, 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 offers protection. Reduced sebum can lead to an increase in 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 only one of several benefits of drinking plenty of water.
2. Using the Right Moisturizer
One reason that could leave you feeling 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 eliminate symptoms of dryness. You can also maximize its effectiveness by applying it to your skin when it is damp in order to lock in moisture.
3. Avoid Harsh Facial Cleansers and Soaps
One of the major culprits for drying out your skin is how you choose to cleanse it. To help keep your skin from drying out, you’ll want to avoid excessively harsh facial cleansers and soaps. Stick to a gentle hydrating facial cleanser and a mild body soap. Doing so will reduce the stripping away of your skin barrier and 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 to keep joints working as well as stopping negative reactions by keeping bones from hitting against each other. It also keeps skin stretchy and flexible and helps 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. Along with hydrating your skin, it is also known to act as a strengthener for your skin barrier. This increases the skin’s ability to heal faster and better.
Using moisturizers or serums with this ingredient can also help reduce trans-epidermal water loss. This is the process where water evaporates from your skin through the epidermis, which is 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 wind up leaving 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.
