The No-No Ingredient for Dry Skin
Do you find yourself constantly lotioning up your arms, legs, and face in hopes of replacing your dry, dehydrated skin for utter smoothness?
It’s especially common in the winter months with indoor heating and drastic temperature changes sucking out all the moisture from your skin.
So what can you do about it? Well, you don’t need tons of fancy lotions, we can tell you that. But it is worth investing some time into identifying which ingredients help moisturize your skin – and which to avoid.
There’s one specific ingredient that you’ll definitely want to shun if you suffer from dry skin.
WHAT’S CAUSING YOUR DRY SKIN?
The list goes on.
According to dermatologist Jeanine Downie, “Lack of hydration in skin makes your complexion dull and accentuates wrinkles, and it’s more likely to occur in winter.”
She also points out that “Cold and windy conditions may dehydrate your face due to lack of humidity in the environment, and dryness can also be caused by irritating products that can strip natural oils, like those with alcohol, astringents and harsh acids.”
For that reason, you’ll want to use gentle skincare products that replenish moisture rather than strip it away. Even ingredients that might be great at treating acne or wrinkles may be too harsh for dry-skinned people. It’s worth paying attention to what you’re putting on your face to avoid drying it out more.
In fact, even a simple switch of your daily cleanser may be enough to keep dryness at bay. Let’s take a look at what ingredient to avoid if you have dry skin.
Avoid: Salicylic Acid
Salicylic acid is the gold standard for treating acne. It also boasts exfoliating properties, meaning it can smooth and soften rough skin. While it’s typically 100% safe in treating and preventing breakouts, it’s a no-no ingredient for dry skin.
This beta-hydroxy acid works by sloughing away dead skin cells, unclogging pores, and clearing away blemishes. As awesome as it is as an acne treatment, it can be too harsh for people with dry or sensitive skin.
“The primary negative side effect of salicylic acid is its ability to irritate and dry skin in those that are very sensitive or those who overuse it,” says dermatologist Rachel Nazarian.
Cosmetic chemist Randy Scheuller adds, “Depending on the concentration and the number of applications, some people may experience dryness, peeling, redness, and some skin irritation.”
So if you already have dry or sensitive skin, consider avoiding salicylic acid altogether to prevent worsening your symptoms.
Some people may even find that once they stop using their daily SA cleanser, their dryness improves. It could actually be your SA products that are to blame for drying out your skin.
WHAT TRULY PRODUCTS TO SWAP OUT IF YOU HAVE DRY SKIN?
At Truly, we offer a variety of salicylic acid-formulated skincare products to help banish breakouts. Swap these for a non-drying formula (see below). Swap CBD Jelly Anti-Blemish Facial Cleanser for Super Matcha Facial Cleanser.
Retinoids can also be too harsh on dry skin, so it might be worth keeping that out of your skincare regimen until your dry phase has passed. Swap: Purple Rain Facial Oil for Flower Child Face Cream.
Go for: Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic acid is one of those buzzy skincare ingredients you’ve probably heard about, but do you know what it is and what it can do for the skin?
“Hyaluronic acid is a complex sugar normally found in between the collagen bundles in the skin, providing hydration and plumpness,” explains dermatologist Ava Shamban, M.D.
It occurs naturally in the body and decreases as we age (much like collagen), making our skin more prone to dryness and sagging with each passing year. The idea is that applying a topical hyaluronic acid formula can counteract the loss of volume in your skin.
This stuff is particularly effective at curing dry skin.
As dermatologist Dr. Sam Bunting explains: “It’s a water-holding gel with the ability to hold 1000 times its own weight in moisture. When it’s applied topically, skin acts as a highly-effective barrier and those hyaluronic acid molecules are too big to squeeze through the dermis (the layer of skin beneath the epidermis), which is where it needs to be to help plump lines and wrinkles.”
By acting as a moisturizer, hyaluronic acid keeps the skin hydrated and supple – and maintains healthy skin barrier function.
For best results, apply the ingredient to damp skin to help seal it into your skin and form as a barrier against moisture loss.
To get your daily dose of hyaluronic hydration, try Truly’s Flawless Skincare Bundle. Inside, you’ll find three moisture-boosting products: a face cream, face serum, and eye cream, all formulated with hyaluronic acid to keep the skin young, soft, and plump.
OTHER GREAT INGREDIENTS FOR DRY SKIN
There are certain ingredients that work wonderfully for dry skin. Look out for these in your cleansers, serums, and lotions.
- Lactic Acid
It’s actually an exfoliating ingredient, but it works for tackling dryness.
“Some form of exfoliation is important because if you’re not addressing that, you’re essentially trying to hydrate skin that’s dead,” says Rhea Souhleris Grous, founder of La Suite Skincare.
- Cermamides
The building block of your skin barrier, ceramides keep the outermost layer of your skin protected. With a stronger skin barrier comes enhanced hydration, as you’re protecting your water and oil balance in the top layer of your skin.
- Natural Oils
If you have dry skin, try nourishing it with plant-based oils like avocado, olive oil, argan oil, and coconut oil. They lock in moisture and keep your skin feeling soft and dewy.
While numerous factors can cause dry skin, many people overlook the products they’re using. They could be drying you out without even realizing! Try shunning SA from your skincare routine for a while and swap it for gentler products that nourish and moisturize the skin. Your skin should be back to its hydrated, glowing self in no time!
