Cleansing your skin may sound like a simple no-brainer. Lather, rinse and you are done. But what to do if your skin gets overly dry?

If you have dry skin and lack the desired luster, you would want to take a close look at the cleansing methods you are using. As it may turn out, some seemingly harmless cleansing habits may cause big skin problems. Here we have pointed out some increasingly common mistakes when cleansing dry skin.

Using the wrong products

Your skin is unique and should thus be treated individually. The cleanser you use must suit your skin's needs. Cleansers that may be effective for other skin types may be very harsh for dry skin. This is because these formulations may cause an imbalance in the moisture levels of your already dry skin causing it to dry further. Thus, one of the cleansing mistakes to avoid is using the wrong products. 

If you feel like your skin is getting flakier and tighter after every wash, take it as a symbol to switch your cleansing product. This comprises wiping makeup and dirt to restore pH balance. You may want to opt for products that are alcohol, paraben, and fragrance-free and that remove makeup without drying your skin. 

Some people also use soap bars to wash their face without understanding how harsh it may be on your skin. rather horrifying but true, that some women also use their body wash on their face deeming it appropriate. However, it messes up your moisture barrier and proves harsh on your skin rendering it super dry. 

Ingredients like ceramides, lactic acid, oat milk, almond oil, and polyphenols are suggested as the best facial cleansers for dry skin. Going for natural products cleanses your skin without overpowering it with any needless chemicals that damage your skin. 

Hot water

One of the common mistakes while washing your face is using hot water. Although it is rather tempting to use hot water in the winter to wash your face, you must know that it depletes your skin's moisture supply. The skin on your face is very delicate and thin and hot water can damage the capillaries and cause red marks to form. This causes the glands beneath your skin surface to overproduce oil to combat the dryness, therefore damaging the skin barrier function. Hence it is suggested you use lukewarm water to rinse your face. 

No consistency in cleansing

Do you have your makeup wipes and face wash reserved for only Friday nights? A common misconception that you tend to have is that cleansing every day would make your skin drier. However, you must know that your skin needs to be thoroughly cleaned regularly so your pores don’t get clogged and it functions properly. 

Even if your skin does not feel oily or dirty, you must wash it as you need to remove the natural oils that are accumulated on the surface layers overnight. So, you must approach your skincare like you are gearing up for a marathon. If you are not committed to consistent training you might never make it to the finish line. 

Over-exfoliation

Exfoliation can do wonders for your skin. it sloughs off the dead cells that build up on your skin and interfere with the effective absorption of products. However, certain rough scrubs and frequent exfoliation may cause your skin to become overly sensitive. A scrub with jagged edges and harsh particles can result in microscopic tears forming on your skin leading to infections. 

So, among dry skincare mistakes to avoid is the overuse of exfoliants. It is suggested to use exfoliants only twice a week so your skin is fresh and not prone to any wear and tear. 

Using face wipes

Face wipes may be helpful while traveling but it should not be ignored that these also contain fragrance, alcohol along with other preservatives that may irritate your skin. A major misunderstanding is that some of you think that these wipes are enough to cleanse your face adequately. 

But these leave harmful chemicals on your skin along with oil that further aggravates dryness. When you wipe your face, there is a lot of pulling and tugging involved as you attempt to get rid of the makeup and debris. Therefore, one of the Cleansing Mistakes to Avoid is the use of face wipes, or in case you need to use a face wipe, you may want to dab some oil before. 

Excessive rubbing

If you think rubbing your skin very hard will deeply clean it, you are wrong! Rubbing too hard can damage the delicate skin on your face. It may cause premature aging giving way to fine lines and wrinkles. In worse conditions, some blood vessels under your skin may get broken causing red lines to form. 

Some women also tend to use cleansing devices on their faces. They clear up your skin, cleansing the congested pores, breakouts, and blockades. But they often overlook the fact that these devices may trap bacteria in their bristles causing the same irritating impact as harsh scrubs. So just like you have to make sure your hands are clean as you wash your face, you must ensure the device you rub on the skin is also super clean. 

Final Verdict

For all those women with dry skin, if you continue to face issues like flakiness and tightness post-cleansing, it means you are doing something wrong! But fret not since we have sorted a guide for the common skincare mistakes that you may be making while cleansing. Using harsh products, hot water, excessive rubbing, face wipes, over-exfoliation, and maintaining zero consistency in cleansing are all dry skincare mistakes to avoid getting smooth silky skin.