Skin Care 101: Dry Skin

Note: All week this week I'll be featuring tips on how to deal with different skin types. Info from Allure and many other sources. If you have anything to add--a favorite product or great hint--please be sure to leave a comment!

Dry skin sucks. Even though I would say that I mostly have combination skin, I do get patches of dry skin on my face and body and I hate it. It feels tight, it's all flaky, and it's makes makeup application interesting. Here are some ways to combat dreaded flaky dry skin:

1. Wash your face twice daily, but with care. Avoid bar soaps (they only seem to suck the moisture out of your skin along with the dirt and makeup) and opt instead for a creamy cleanser that contains moisturizing agents like Vitamin E.
   
2. Exfoliate at least once a week. There are plenty of products on the market designed to gently exfoliate your skin while cleansing. Just don't be too aggressive with your exfoliation. You want to slough off some of the dead flaky skin, not rub til you're raw!
3. Try a weekly peel. Using a peel with lactic acid once a week will help keep your dry skin from looking dull. Be careful to avoid glycolic acid and salicylic acid--both of which may only aggravate your dry skin.
   
4. Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize! If your skin feels really tight, try a thicker cream. To better lock in moisture, apply your moisturizer when your skin is slightly damp. And be sure to look for products like dimethicone, shea butter, glycerine, or hyaluronic acid. If you want to keep wrinkles at bay while moisturizing, try a product with retinol, but only use it a few times a week (retinol can make drying worse if you use it ever day). If retinols give you a hard time, go for a cream with kinetin or Matrixyl.
5. For all skin types (and yes, I am going to say this each and every day this week): be sure to wear sunscreen and be sun safe.

Here are some products to consider:

• Yes to Carrots Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser, $10.50 (contains lactic acid)
• Kinerase Photofacials Sun Damage Reversal System Introductory Kit, $100 (contains a cleanser, day cream with SPF 50, and night cream with Matrixyl)
• Regenerist Night Recovery Cream by Olay, $20 (contains peptides and other good for you products!)

Tomorrow: Oily Skin