Dry skin on your face can be a total buzz kill, especially when it is coupled with sensitivities. Luckily, those of us who experience this on the regular are not without options. One of the best things you can do for dry skin – and sensitive skin, for that matter – is to keep it moisturized. When both conditions collide, you bet that delivering increased moisture to your skin should be on the top of your to-do list. Have questions about how to go about that and what to use? We are here for you!
IN A NUTSHELL
Main Takeaways: Having dry sensitive skin requires some extra loving care, mostly in the form of increased, protective moisture from a properly formulated, nutrient-rich moisturizer.
Good to Know: Dry sensitive skin is probably one of the more difficult skin types to shop for, as some more intensive moisturizers can be irritating to sensitive skin. Consequently, try to stick to botanically based products, which can often be both gentle and effective.
Recommended Products: H2 Oh Yeah Hydrating Moisturizer.
Signs of Dry Sensitive Skin
We all like to think we know our skin. But sometimes certain conditions can be sorely mistaken for others and vise-versa. What may be one of the hardest to peg skin types is dry sensitive skin. This is because sensitive skin is often irritated, and dry skin can easily become irritated, which can create confusion. But if you are experiencing the following symptoms, you could have dry, sensitive skin, and it might be time to revise your regimen accordingly.
Your skin struggles to absorb and retain moisture.
A lack of moisture is the primary symptom of dry skin. Without enough moisture, skin can often feel tight and sore and experience things like cracking and breakage. This happens because without enough moisture to ensure the integrity of your skin and its lipid barrier, outer cells dehydrate and separate like salt flats, making your complexion susceptible to things like long term damage, premature aging, and even infection. Dryness is often worsened by cold air, wind, and arid conditions.
Your skin is reactive.
One of the tell-tale signs of sensitive skin is reactivity. If your complexion often fails to tolerate things like different soaps, cosmetics, skincare products, perfumes, laundry detergents, or even environmental factors… perhaps certain air fresheners or smoke, you likely have sensitive skin. People with sensitive skin tend to experience an array of symptoms in response to these triggers and more, many of which are outlined below.
You experience redness, roughness, and recurrent rashes.
Redness and visible signs of irritation in the form of rashes, can be a chronic problem for those with dry and sensitive skin. Bumps, breakouts, flaking, feelings of itching and burning, or visibly red and dilated blood vessels may be seen, but will often subside either when an irritant is dispelled or optimum moisture is achieved.
You experience UV sensitivity.
Dry sensitive skin tends to be more reactive to UV rays and is prone to burning. This is especially true if one is in the midst of any sort of flare up or experiencing irritation or extreme dryness at the time of exposure. Everyone should wear sunscreen outdoors, but this is especially beyond necessary for those with dry sensitive skin. But it is important to note that some sunscreens can be irritating, so look for sunscreens that are mineral based. These work by providing a physical barrier between you and the sun, rather than a chemical product, which can be triggering. And don’t skimp on that SPF factor. Didn’t you hear? SPF 30+ is totally the new 15.
Ingredients to Avoid for Dry Sensitive Skin
On the topic of avoiding chemicals, it’s important to know which skincare ingredients can be problematic, especially for dry sensitive skin. In addition to chemical sunscreens, certain ingredients such as artificial fragrances and alcohol, which can often be found in antiquated toners, are absolute nightmares for this temperamental skin type. (However, note there is a difference between alcohol as an ingredient and cetearyl alcohol, which is completely safe to use on sensitive skin.) The same goes for sulfates, which are notorious for stripping the skin, and can make it super easy for your dryness to rear its angry head.
Parabens, another additive sometimes found in skincare, can actually increase one’s propensity for sensitivities and even elevate UV damage. And while exfoliating is important for all skin types, some iterations can be increasingly dangerous for dry sensitive skin. This is especially true when they are formulated with granular abrasives that literally tear up the skin.
Certain deeply penetrating acids can be equally problematic, as they too may aggressively erode the outer layers of your complexion. Lastly, you will want to be selective about the kind of cosmetics you use, as these may also aggravate dry sensitive skin. Opt for mineral-based makeup to be on the safe side.
Best Ingredients for Dry Sensitive Skin
For Dry sensitive skin, you will want to invest in skincare that includes high quality, skin soothing moisturizers. It is also wise to stick with products that are naturally-derived from a bounty of mild botanicals that you can trust. Some of our favorite ingredients for dry sensitive skin include:
Aloe Vera
This drought tolerant plant is an incredibly effective moisturizer that simultaneously offers a calming & soothing effect. It is also a wiz at relieving redness and helping to manage any visible effects of irritation.
Squalane
The vegan alternative to squalene, this olive-derived moisturizer has skin revivifying effects for a plump, youthful appearance.
Vitamin B5
Keep your complexion soft, smooth, & hydrated with this skin-loving vitamin.
Vitamin B3
Another B vitamin, this antioxidant helps to restore balance to dry or temperamental skin while protecting it from irritants and environmental stressors. But B is for bonus!! Vitamin B3 also brightens. And who could say no to some added glow!?
Vitamin E
Very few skincare ingredients have vitamin E beat. With a propensity to restore a youthful appearance, we’re already sold. But those with dry and sensitive skin will love this antioxidant for its soothing, protective, and healing properties.
Horsetail Plant
This uniquely named botanical is an antioxidant powerhouse that will help protect your skin from stressors that can trigger your dry sensitive skin, while simultaneously imparting calming effects.
Hyaluronic Acid
This water magnet is a humectant that delivers deep hydration to dry skin, with an ability to bind up to 1000 times its weight in water!
Jojoba Oil
Lock in all that humectant goodness with a nourishing emollient that preserves hydration and keeps your skin moisturized.
Best Moisturizer for Dry Sensitive Skin
So, you wanna to preserve, protect, and calm your dry sensitive skin? You’re gonna need a kickin’ moisturizer for that. And where can you find all these amazing ingredients in one action packed product? Well, lemme hear you say “Can we get an H2 OH YEAH!?”
We’re so glad you asked - you most certainly can!
Our intensely hydrating H2 Oh Yeah provides deep soothing hydration with all day stay, making it the perfect companion for your dry, sensitive skin. Packed With 21 nourishing actives, like hyaluronic acid, jojoba oil, and a complex of B and E vitamins, H2 Oh Yeah is supercharged with all our favorite botanical ingredients to offer the special support your dry, sensitive skin needs to thrive.
Listen, we know it’s been rough (see what we did there), but it’s time for your dry sensitive skin to live its best life. So, give H2 Oh Yeah a go, yeah?…What can we say- we’re suckers for a good rhyme.
