9 Things Not To Do If You Have Dry Skin

If you're anything like me and have been cursed with dry skin, you probably already know the struggle. It's hard enough finding makeup and skincare products to combat flakes and patches, but it turns out there are everyday mistakes that could be drying your skin out as well. Believe it or not, simple things like how you wash your face could be the reason why your skin won't hold moisture.

With all the conflicting skincare advice out there, it can be hard to figure out how to treat your skin. Everyone's skin need a little bit of love in different ways, but there are a few staple tips that my fellow dry-skinned peeps should keep in mind. Keeping skin under control has less to do with what products you use than it does how you use them. It's all about listening to what your skin needs and not just jumping on the trendy skincare bandwagon.

Of course, you should follow the basics — moisturizing, washing, and exfoliating — but there's a certain way to do it to prevent a skin mishap. Here are the everyday mistakes that you might already be making when it comes to your dry skin. Some of them might even surprise you.

1. Over Exfoliating

Philosophy The Microdelivery Exfoliating Wash, $15, ulta.com

According to Glamour, exfoliating can be bad for your skin. They recommend that people with normal skin should only do so three times a week, which means dry skin could do with just once or twice a week.

2. Skipping Moisturizer

First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream, $30, sephora.com

It's no secret that moisturizing is great for dry skin. If you have dry skin, it's important not to get lazy and skip a day of added moisture.

3. Using Too Hot Of Water

Turning down the temperature of you water could be key to getting your dry skin back on track. The hotter the water, the less natural oil is left in your skin.

4. Choosing The Wrong Face Masks

GlamGlow Thirstymud Hydrating Treatment, $22, sephora.com

Trendy face masks are always fun to use, but people with dry skin should always opt for hydrating masks, according to Style Caster. Anything else could be hurting your skin more than helping.

5. Avoid Powder Makeup

No7 Stay Perfect Foundation, $16, walgreens.com

Of course, makeup is for experimenting. But if you have dry skin, sometimes powder foundation can make you skin look even drier.

6. Using Products With High Amounts Of Alcohol

Burt's Bees Sensative Facial Cleanser, $7.56, pharmapacks.com

Alcohol is the one ingredient to avoid in your skincare products. It can dry your skin out even more.

7. Washing Too Many Times

Philosophy Purity Made Simple One Step Facial Cleanser, $24, ulta.com

According to Marie Claire, if you have dry skin, you should stick to washing your face once a day. That way your not washing away all the natural oils and drying it out.

8. Forgetting To Drink Water

Smart Water, $1.79, googleexpress.com

Drinking water helps hydrate skin. It's that simple, people!

9. Packing On The Fragrance

Kiss My Face Fragrance Free Moisturizer, $5.63, jet.com

This one blew my mind. Fragrances in your skincare routine could be drying out your skin even more. Try opting for a fragrance-free formula instead.

Who knew better skin could be so simple!

Images: Courtesy Brands (8), Dan Watson/Unsplash.com (1)