8 Ways to Relieve Dry Skin 

by: Esthetician Noelle Janda

Many of us suffer from dry skin, especially coming out of another winter season. Lower humidity levels combined with heating our homes can exacerbate this problem. There are some easy steps you can take to lessen these effects.

But first, let’s talk about our skin’s moisture barrier. Other terms include lipid barrier or simply skin barrier. This is the outermost layer of our skin.  It’s made of tough skin cells bound together by lipids and proteins. Our skin barrier is designed to protect us from harmful irritants like free radicals, pathogens, and other environmental pollutants. Think of it as the body’s first line of defense. Not only does it help protect us from foreign toxins, it also preserves hydration levels by preventing water evaporation. Maintaining a healthy skin barrier is crucial to keep your skin looking and feeling its best. Read on to learn how!

1.Keep your skin care routine simple. Sometimes, too many products and or exfoliants can disrupt our barrier. Exfoliation can be great in moderation: Aim for 2-3 times per week max. If your skin tends to be on the sensitive side, 1-2 times per week is better. Not sure where to start? Check out our article on how to build a skin care routine as well as different product recommendations. 

2.When in the shower: Avoid hot water. Hot water can strip the skin of naturally occurring oils. Even turning the temperature down slightly can make a difference. 

Limit your shower time: between 5-10 minutes is ideal.

Use a gentle face & body cleanser. Traditional bar soap tends to have a drying effect. Reach for a mild body wash instead. Aveda’s Cherry Almond hand and body wash is a great choice: Powered by nature, babassu-nut derived surfactant cleanses skin, while cherry blossom and sweet almond oil nourish and condition.

3.Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize! Don’t skimp on this step. Apply moisturizer right after you get out of the shower/wash your face while your skin is still slightly damp to lock in hydration. Look for ingredients like hyaluronic acid, ceramides, glycerin, and plant oils.  

4.Proper Sun protection. Excessive sun exposure can lead to a host of problems, including a damaged skin barrier. Use a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher before you start your day. This can be applied on top of moisturizer and underneath makeup. Keep in mind that we still get some UVA exposure on cloudy days. 

5.Add a humidifier to your bedroom. Low humidity can also contribute to dryness, especially when the heat is running in our homes. This simple fix can add moisture back into the air and back into your skin.

6.Try layering a hydrating serum underneath your moisturizer. After washing your face, apply a few drops to the face and pat into the skin. We love the Aveda’s Botanical Kinetics Intense Hydrator Serum because of its lightweight texture and many water-loving ingredients like cactus fruit and hyaluronic acid.

7.Skin still feeling dry? Consider adding an occlusive balm/ointment. This seals in hydration levels as well as other moisturizing products applied to the skin. A little goes a long way! Gently pat a thin layer on top of your moisturizer before bed. We recommend our Image Post Treatment Recovery Balm because it is specifically formulated to reduce water loss in the skin, as well as soothe redness and irritation. It also contains many hydrating ingredients like glycerine, fatty acids, and various botanical extracts. This product is available for purchase in our spa.

8.Try to set time aside for yourself to relax. High stress levels can also disrupt our skin barrier. Booking a facial with our esthetics team is a great way to unwind and treat your skin. We hope to see you soon!