7 Beauty Products That Mess With Dry Skin

For people with dry skin, the cold winter months can be a beauty nightmare. Even though staying moisturized is a year-round battle, now's the time to be extra careful. There are several beauty products to avoid if you have dry skin, especially this time of year.

As far as seasons go, winter's got some amazing perks — snow, holiday music, and peppermint hot chocolate among them. But flaky, itchy skin can put a real damper on the festivities, and unfortunately, not literally. Even when our skin is begging for a little hydration, trying to lock in moisture feels like an uphill battle with products and weather conditions that'll take it away faster than we can apply it.

The cruel truth of having super dry skin is that it tends to be sensitive, too, giving us another reason to be cautious with what we put on it. That's not to say that all the products people with dry skin should avoid are inherently evil — in fact, some of them can work wonders on oily skin. But it's important to tailor your skin care and makeup routine to your skin type.

There a few things that people with dry skin should steer clear of, especially when the climate's not doing you any favors. Here are seven products to avoid:

Hardcore Scrubs

Clarisonic Mia Sonic Skin Cleansing System, $129, Amazon

Gentle exfoliation helps slough away dry, dead skin to allow moisture to penetrate the skin, but intense exfoliation doesn't do dry or sensitive skin any favors. According to Glamour, a skin brush or a wash cloth with a gentle cleanser works well because it's "easier for you to control the level of exfoliation than it would be with an enzyme- or acid-based product."

Bonus: Dry skin types can get away with exfoliating less often — maybe even just once a month. Lazy girls, rejoice.

Alcohol-Based Toners

Neutrogena Alcohol Free Toner, $6, Amazon

Many toners contain alcohol, which tend to dry out your skin quicker than you can reach for your go-to moisturizer, according to ReneeRouleau.com. Alcohol-based toners can actually be pretty beneficial for oily skin types, so if you find yours is too drying, re-gift it to your oil-prone bestie and invest in an alcohol-free formula (or ditch it altogether).

Scented Lotions And Oils

Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream, $27.50, Nordstrom

Fragrances are a major culprit behind irritated skin, which can cause serious dryness, according to Women's Health. If your moisturizer smells too good to be true, it probably is. Opt for something simple and scent-free to make sure your moisturizer or face oil isn't doing more harm than good.

Acne-Fighting Formulas

Renee Rouleau Anti-Cyst Treatment, $45.50, Renee Rouleau

What's a girl to do when her skin is dry and acne prone? The struggle is real, considering two major acne-fighting ingredients are extremely drying. While benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid can be pretty effective on blemishes, they can also wreak havoc on the rest of your skin — think peeling, itching, and redness, according to Women's Health.

If you don't need really one, skip the all-over acne-fighting cleansers and face lotions and focus on spot treating. Experiment with alternate ingredients, too — I've had great luck with tea tree oil and Renee Rouleau's Anti-Cyst Treatment, personally.

Cleansers With Sulfates

Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser, $14, Ulta

You've probably heard the buzz about damaging, drying sulfates in your shampoo, but they could be lurking in your face cleanser, too. A quick way to tell? If your face wash foams, it's probably got 'em. And there's a reason your skin feels so squeaky clean after using it — sulfates are too good at getting rid of your skin's natural oils, leaving your skin super dry. Watch out for sodium sulfate or ammonium lauryl sulfate on the label, according to ReneeRouleau.com.

Retinoids

Olay Regenerist Intensive Repair Treatment, $20, Target

Retinoids aren't just anti-aging superstars — they work well on acne and reducing the scars and marks they leave behind. But, again, they can be seriously irritating to skin, which is bad news for anyone who already has dryness, according to Women's Health. If you love the benefits but hate the side effects, try using it after applying moisturizer, and skip it at least every other night.

Powder Foundation

Urban Decay Naked Skin Beauty Balm, $36, Sephora

Powder foundation won't necessarily make a huge difference in how dry your skin actually is, but as you've probably noticed, powders tend to draw attention to any flaky dryness on your face. You're better off using a creamy foundation or BB cream to keep skin hydrated.

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