13 Most Common Skincare Mistakes That Cause Dry Skin

So you do everything you're told to get your dry skin moisturised, hydrated and healthy, but still feel itchiness, discomfort and dryness? That's always a bummer!

But don't panic yet. It's possible that you're making some of the common skincare mistakes for dry skin that give you these opposite results. We've all been there, and the good thing is that it's never too late to change your routine!

So what are dry skin causes? What to avoid for dry skin? And...can moisturising cause dry skin?

Let's look at 13 most common skincare mistakes that cause dry skin.

#1 You wash your face in the morning and evening

We've been taught for a while to wash our face twice a day, but cleansing too frequently can actually strip the skin of the oils and cause dry patches and irritation.

So if you have dry skin, overwashing is a definite no-no. In the evening, remove your makeup and the built-up dirt with a gentle face cleanser and in the morning, only use a little bit of water. 

#2 Your face cleanser is too harsh

Everybody likes some bubbles in the shower, but when it comes to face cleanser, use something simpler and creamier. Why? Because the ingredients used to create bubbles are too harsh and can strip away skin's natural oils. 

According to Healthline.com, the main ingredients to avoid for dry skin are benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid. We also recommend avoiding fragrances and preservatives, alcohol and retinoids. Make sure your cleanser doesn't have any of those!

One way to know if your cleanser is no good for you is if it leaves your skin tight or itchy after washing. If so, it's a sign that you should switch to something gentler. 

#3 You exfoliate too often 

While exfoliating is an integral part of skincare, if you scrub too often or daily, you're creating microtears in your skin that leaves it irritated, dry and itchy. 

Exfoliate once or twice a week, and you'll enjoy a beautiful, bright complexion, just avoid exfoliators with abrasive elements as they're bad for you and the environment.

Shop Natural & Toxic-free Cleansers

#4 You're using the wrong toner (or too much of it)

Toners are one of the most common dry skin causes that can be solved with a simple elimination or switch. 

Yes, toners can help the skin look fresher and the pores smaller, but you should either entirely skip this step or pick your toner very carefully if you have dry skin. Avoid toners with alcohol and glycol as they have a drying effect and strip your skin of necessary oils.

If you feel like you still want to use something, we recommend, e.g. natural rose water. 

#5 You're using the wrong moisturiser 

This one's a common one. Many people often use the same moisturiser for years, even though their skin has changed. Often, we tend to use something lightweight at a younger age, which doesn't work anymore once our skin ages and gets drier.

If you're not in your twenties anymore, switch to an emollient formula with hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid to keep moisture locked in.  

If you're using a product that's designed for your skin type or age but still not seeing any relief for dry skin, it means you need to do some research and find better one. 

Lastly, people often ask, can over moisturising cause dry skin, and the answer is yes. There can be too much of a good thing. As wellandgood.com explains, when you use too much moisturiser, your skin produces less moisture on its own.

#6 You use essential oils

While we love essential oils, using them directly on your face (or adding to your products at home) might bring the opposite effect. Even such oils like chamomile or lavender can lead to developing allergies, cause redness, flakiness, and dryness. Be very cautious, even if you might feel that "natural" or "organic" oils shouldn't be dangerous. 

#7 You're taking long, hot showers

Oh no! Who doesn't love a good hot shower! We surely do. Unfortunately, if you have dry skin, a hot shower can dry it out even more, causing itchiness, redness, flakiness and eventually leading to premature wrinkles and fine lines. 

While taking a hot shower once in a while won't harm (especially in the winter), try to use warm or lukewarm water whenever possible. 

#8 You're not taking your makeup off at night

You might be shocked to hear how many people go to bed at night with a full face of makeup! Most of us probably did it at least once in our teenage years, but please stop doing it now. 

Makeup doesn't allow the skin to breathe, clogs pores, can cause acne and irritate already dry skin. Use gentle cleansers to remove makeup no matter how tired you are! 

#9 You're not using SPF 

It's a biggie! Skipping SPF is one of the common dry skin causes. Yes, everyone should be wearing sunscreen, but you may feel even worse immediate effects without it if you have dry skin. 

Sunscreen protects your skin from various external factors like sun damage and pollution, so you should wear it all year long! 

Even worse, dry skin is naturally more prone to wrinkles, and fine lines, age spots, and sun exposure accelerates this process. 

In addition to wrinkling and sagging, this can lead to more severe consequences over time, such as skin cancer.

So, did we convince you that SPF is extremely important?

#10 You're mixing too many ingredients

When debating how to treat dry skin on the face, it can be tempting to put on as many different products as possible, but this strategy can backfire if not executed properly. 

If you're using the wrong products and they cause some unexpected reaction, your skin can get irritated and dry out even more. 

For example, using retinol and alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) together can lead to stinging, redness, flaking, and peeling as the combination is damaging. But separately, they have great effects on dry skin, helping brighten, plump, and smooth it.

#11 You're applying moisturiser to dry skin

People usually dry their skin after washing it or coming out of the shower and only then apply lotions and creams. However, this actually lessens the positive effect of those products.

So the best way to get the most of your moisturisers and other products is to apply them while your skin is still damp! This way, you'll lock the moisture in your skin.

The same advice goes for serums, moisturisers, oils and lotions. 

Shop Natural & Toxic-free Moisturisers

 

#12 You're not using face oils

People are often afraid of oils, worrying that they will break them out or make them look greasy. However, oils can be incredibly beneficial for dry skin. They lock in moisture, protect the skin and make it smooth and glowy.

Of course, it might take time to find which oils work best for you. And if you're wary of applying the oil directly to your face, you can start mixing it into your moisturiser. 

Here are some oils we recommend to try: rosehip oil, argan oil, coconut oil, marula oil, grapeseed oil, jojoba oil. 

#13 You're not using serums 

A serum is a topical, liquid product that contains highly concentrated amounts of different active ingredients that penetrate the skin relatively easily and provide shigh efficiency. 

Adding a serum with such ingredients as hyaluronic acid and other humectants like glycerin, betaine, and panthenol is very beneficial because they draw moisture from the air and infuse it into the skin.

Serums with peptides are also an incredibly valuable product that stimulates the production of collagen (the decrease of collagen production also leads to dehydration).

So yes, a serum is a definite must-have! 

Shop Cell Renewal Peptide Serum with Green Tea, Ginseng and Fig

SCOUT'S Cell Renewal Peptide Serum

Here at SCOUT, we know firsthand that many people suffer from dry skin and have made it our mission to offer natural products that provide care and relief. 

One of these products is our potent and luxurious Cell Renewal Peptide Serum with Green Tea, Ginseng and Fig. 

The serum hydrates and plumps the skin, fights the first signs of ageing, prevents fine lines, wrinkles, pigmentation and strengthens the skin's defence barrier. 

The serum contains potent peptides such as Perfection Peptide 7 and Matrixyl Sinthe'6, which boost collagen production, smooth deep wrinkles, and replenish the skin's lipid layer for an overall perfected and refined skin texture. 

We believe in the synergy between nature and science. That's why the antioxidant-rich fusion between the peptides, Vitamin B3, Green Tea, and Ginseng work together to neutralise free radicals that cause fine lines, wrinkles, and pigmentation by strengthening the skin's defence barrier. 

To add this serum to your daily routine, just press a few drops into cleansed face, neck and décolletage until absorbed and add your favourite moisturiser.

Order your SCOUT'S Cell Renewal Peptide Serum NOW.