10 Reasons You Have Dry Skin Even After Moisturizing

Are you experiencing dry skin even after daily moisturizing? Stop worrying as this is a common problem.

Here are the top 10 reasons why your skin is dry despite daily moisturizing, and what you can do about it.

Why Is Your Skin Dry Even After Daily Moisturization?

Xerosis, commonly known as dry skin, is categorized as cracked, flaky and dehydrated skin. Many people often experience skin dryness despite moisturizing it regularly.

A study was conducted to determine the prevalence of dry skin in the general population. According to it, dry skin is a frequent condition often associated with skin irritation, itching and discomfort. Data found in this study showed that almost 24.9% of the subjects suffered from dry skin conditions. Furthermore, the researcher noticed that the issue increases with age.

When it comes to skin issues, one thing that always comes to mind is the skincare routine. Each person has a different skincare routine to tackle the dry skin condition and there are a few typical skincare mistakes that can lead to persistent skin dryness. Also, there are certain health factors that can contribute to your current skin condition as well.

1. Over-Cleansing

Washing your skin is necessary to remove the dirt, dust and bacteria. But over-cleansing or excessive washing can cause skin damage. The surface of your skin is made of oil and certain molecules that contribute to your skin’s natural moisturizing factor. [1] Excessive washing will interfere with the natural moisturizing factor by removing the oil and molecules.

2. Using Harsh Cleansers

Most over-the-counter skin cleansing products are harsh on the skin. They contain ingredients like benzyl alcohol, sulfates and artificial fragrances. These ingredients remove the natural oil from your skin and make it dry. Sometimes, the harsh chemicals of cleansers irritate the skin and reduce the natural pH balance of your skin, which should be around 4.7 to 5. [2] Most traditional soaps and cleansers are not suitable to maintain the natural pH level of your skin.

3. Using Water That’s Too Hot

Many people use warm water to wash their face. But as your facial skin is softer than other parts of your body, using hot water can affect the natural barrier of your skin. If your skin barrier is damaged, it creates a pathway for all the germs, bacteria and other outside threats to enter your skin. Your skin suffers from dryness, acne breakout and other serious issues.

4. Over-Exfoliating

While exfoliating is a crucial and unavoidable step in skincare, over-exfoliating can trigger skin irritation and discomfort. When you over-exfoliate your skin, it takes down the natural oil from your skin making it super dry. In this situation, your skin may show signs of severe dryness, despite your attempt to moisturize it.

5. Dead Skin Cell Build-Up

Just like over-exfoliating creates issues for your skin, not exfoliating at all is as bad. Regular washes only clean off the dirt and dust from your skin, it does not work on the dead skin cells. Over time, the dead skin cells build up on your skin’s surface and clog your skin pores. It gives your skin a flaky and dry texture.

6. Not Drinking Enough Water

Dehydration is a major cause of skin dryness. The outer layer of your skin is made of almost 15 to 20% of water. [3] Your regular water intake plays an important role in your skin’s hydration. In fact, studies have shown that an increased amount of water intake can improve the hydration of your stratum corneum.

7. Malnutrition

Other than dehydration, malnutrition can be another huge reason behind your dry skin. Iron and zinc deficiency, lack of Vitamin A and D can lead to skin dryness.

8. Certain Skin Conditions & Medication

A few skin conditions cause dry and flaky skin patches. Atopic dermatitis, contact dermatitis, psoriasis are some skin conditions that cause skin dryness and irritation. Also, medications like retinoids, topical steroids, benzoyl peroxide and birth control pills can trigger dry skin. Flaky skin can happen due to treatments like chemotherapy and radiation therapy as well.

9. Underlying Health Conditions

Your skin reflects your all-over health. If you are not healthy from the inside, your skin will look pale and dry. There are a few underlying health conditions that are known to cause skin dryness. Diabetes, thyroid and HIV are such health conditions that mess with your skin hydration. In fact, dry skin is pretty common among pregnant women and women who are going through menopause.

10. Genetics & Ethnicity

Your skin type depends a lot on your genetics. Few people naturally have dry skin while others are more prone to oily skin type. Black people are more likely to lose moisture from their skin than white people.[4] Few studies suggest that Asian people lose the most amount of skin moisture among all.

How To Moisturize The Right Way If You Have Dry Skin?

1. Choose The Right Moisturizer

The first step of any healthy skincare routine is understanding your skin type. Once you do that, you can easily choose the right moisturizer for your skin type. When you are dealing with severe skin dryness, use products that are designed to treat such skin conditions. Look for ingredients like shea butter, petroleum, lactic acid, glycerin and hyaluronic acid in your moisturizer. These ingredients are highly potent in moisturizing your skin.

2. The Right Time For Skin Moisturization

Moisturizing your skin does not always give you the desired results. The timing of your application also matters a lot. Moisturizing twice a day is the best way to deal with dry skin. Right in the morning and just before going to bed is the perfect time for you to moisturize your skin. Also, experts suggest moisturizing your skin right after bathing. That’s when your skin is damp and capable of absorbing the maximum benefits from the moisturizer. [5]

3. Use Toner

Dry skin is a long-term skin condition. It does not go away in one night. Especially when your moisturizer is not sufficient enough to hydrate your skin, you should definitely opt for a hydrating toner. Applying a toner after washing your face will keep your skin hydrated and healthy.

4. Go For A Serum

Typically, serums are made with active ingredients to treat certain skin issues. Go for a serum that is particularly made for skin hydration. You can use the serum after cleansing your face or you can use it after the toner.

Wrapping Up

Skin dryness can occur even after regular skin moisturization. It can happen due to some unintentional skincare mistake of yours or due to factors like health condition, certain medication and genetics. However, following the right moisturizing techniques can solve your skin problems and provide you with glowing skin!

Begin By Knowing Your Skin