By Ghozye Nelson
Hello, Safaya beauty!
A while ago, we wrote on how to identify your skin type and promised to get back to you with skin care routine for dry skin.
If you’ve already identified your skin type, then worry no more because we have kept our word. Safaya promises, and Safaya delivers. Here we are with the recipe for glowing skin, especially for the sisters with dry skin.
Do You Have Dry Skin???
If your skin is naturally dry, you tend to experience itchiness especially after taking a shower and your skin looks white and dusty if you do not apply any cream after a shower.
In keeping your skin hydrated, it is important to maintain a good level of water intake so drink water, drink water and then drink some more water. All jokes apart, regular water intake helps to keep your skin hydrated and improve its appearance.
However, beyond regular water consumption below are some useful measures which need to be adhered to if you are to achieve the smooth and supple skin you want.
Skin Care Routine for Dry Skin
1. Avoid skin care products with harsh ingredients
It’s better to use mild soaps, cleansers and body/face wash than products with alcohol, mint, eucalyptus and citrus. Also, most medicated beauty products are not dry-skin-friendly and may strip the skin of its natural moisture.
Try using a goat milk body wash as products with milk have been shown to be great for dry skin;and watch your flaky skin transform into baby smooth skin. Also, stay away from hard sponges; find one which is hard enough to wash off dirt and soft enough to not tear your skin.
2. Lock the moisture in
After taking a shower, don’t towel yourself completely dry, you only need to gently pat your skin with a towel to clean off the excess water and apply a moisturizer immediately after.
Moisturizers help to lock moisture into your skin, that’s why it’s important to apply some immediately after taking a shower or washing your hands/face.
Don’t be tempted to bathe with very hot water even in the coldest harmattan because it can dry the natural oils and make your skin even flakier. Use warm water instead as it will make way for your cream to penetrate the skin more easily.
3. Use more of creams and ointments instead of lotions
Ointments and creams are usually much more effective in moisturizing dry skin than lotions. Experts have advised that people with dry skin use a cream or ointment which contains essential oils like olive oil, coconut oil, argan oil or jojoba oil.
Other ingredients like glycerine, lactic acid, petrolatum, lanolin, Dimethicone, and mineral oil help to soothe dry skin. You may also decide to go the more natural and economical way, by using Shea butter.
Shea butter (ori or okpoma) works wonders on the skin and you can be sure it would help nourish your flaky skin and give it some much-needed sheen.
4. Exfoliate
Exfoliating twice a week will help to leave your skin looking all fresh and smooth. It’s important to remove dead skin cells from all skin types, and it is just as important for dry skin. However, refuse the temptation to scrub too hard.
5. Your lips are important too
Never leave your lips naked, if you’re not using any lip make-up apply lip balm and make sure to reapply when they begin to feel dry because you don’t want to go about with cracked lips even when it’s not harmattan.
Bonus Skin Care Routine
It is important to note that some measures are important for all skin type. No matter your skin type, your skin care routine should include moisturizing regularly. We are in the tropical zone hence the need for sunscreen cannot be overemphasized.
Also, cleansing the skin regularly is important, so endeavour to use a cleanser every day. However, when using beauty products, the ingredients need to be compatible with your skin type. Do not use an oil-based moisturizer on your oily skin; leave that to the dry skin folks.
And remember, drink more water and eat more fruits: it’s the oldest trick in the book. You could add some flavour to your water to make it taste better, cut some slices of cucumber or lemon or ginger (or all) and allow the flavour to come off in the water.
Sharing is caring…know someone struggling with dry skin? Help us rid them of the itchiness and flaky skin by sharing this skin care routine with them.
