5 tips for fixing dry skin in the spring

Spring is here, promising respite for your dry skin. The warmer weather and increased humidity help your skin to retain moisture and alleviate some of the tightness and irritation that winter brings. However if you really want your dry skin to love the spring, there are some extra steps you can take to boost hydration and reduce redness and inflammation as the seasons change. 

1. Improve your shower routine

You might love nothing more than a long, hot shower, but dry skin won’t thank you for it. The hot water strips essential oils from your skin, damaging its moisture barrier and leaving it dry and peeling. Try to keep the water lukewarm, and limit your time under the spray to avoid drying your skin.

If you can’t resist the occasional soak, there are still steps you can take to prevent your skin from drying out. Always pat your skin, don’t rub it with a towel, as this will just strip the top layer and cause irritation. While your skin is still a little damp, lock in hydration with a moisturizer. This will help lock water in your skin and prevent it from drying out.

Finally, check if you’re in a hard water area. Most people in the US are. Hard water is defined as water high in minerals, particularly calcium and magnesium. These minerals often leave a film behind on your skin, which can prevent your skincare products from working properly. It also damages the protective moisture barrier, causing skin to dry out. It even has the same effect on your hair.

USA hard water map. Source: https://homewater101.com/articles/hard-water-across-us

To counteract hard water, look for skincare products designed for use in high mineral areas. Calcium tends to neutralize soap, so try soap-free formulations. You can also get water filters for your shower head and bathroom faucets, or even for your whole home. These filter out the minerals found in hard water, preventing them from getting onto your skin.

2. Exfoliate gently

Don’t be afraid to exfoliate dry skin — but don’t scrub it raw, either. Use a gentle exfoliating formulation such as Qyral’s Accelerate Serum or a product containing salicylic acid to break down bonds holding dead skin cells together. This will help loosen and remove flaking skin, revealing the soft new cells underneath.

Try to avoid astringent ingredients that contract the skin, as they can exacerbate any tightness or tenderness. And use oil-based cleansers such as micellar water rather than foaming formulations. All that foam can dry your skin out, while oils will help lock in more moisture. For some extra dry-skin love, search for products with hyaluronic acid. This is a sugar molecule found naturally in the skin that helps to lock in moisture.

3. Avoid fragrances

Another common skincare ingredient to look out for if you suffer from dry skin is fragrance. You might love the way your moisturizer or serum smells, but fragrances are the number one cause of contact dermatitis and other inflammation. Even if you’ve used a product for years without a problem, it can still trigger a reaction. In fact, prolonged exposure can often cause a contact allergy where none existed before. Dry skin is particularly prone to being irritated by fragrances, so look for scent-free formulations in order to avoid making your skincare problems worse.

4. Moisturize

Spring might be the season of storms and showers, but you still need to use a moisturizer to help protect dry skin. Switch from rich, heavy winter creams to lighter, water-based products in the spring. They won’t feel so heavy on warm, damp days, but they’ll still provide the hydration your skin needs.

Try to use a formulation that contains antioxidants as well. In the spring, UV light increases and we all tend to be outdoors more, increasing our exposure to sunlight and pollutants. Antioxidants fight harmful free radicals right on your skin, preventing them from causing damage at a cellular level.

5. Wear sunscreen

Because UV light is on the rise, sunscreen is a must to protect all skin types. You should be using SFP 30 or higher, even on cloudy days. In fact, those big fluffy clouds that appear on bright days in the spring and summer can scatter UV light and actually increase your exposure.

Many skincare and makeup products now include SPF, but often that isn’t enough to provide enough protection.

Sunscreen should be applied in a thick layer, and most of us only apply about half of the recommended amount. When the only SPF we use is from our foundation, we probably get even less sun protection from it, even if it has a high SPF. Incorporate sunscreen into your springtime morning routine instead to make sure that you get enough protection from UV light.

Bonus: Drink more water

Is your skin dry, or just dehydrated? One way to check is to pinch your cheek. If you see wrinkles when you apply gentle pressure, you’re probably dehydrated. Dehydrated skin has many of the same symptoms as dry skin — more wrinkles, redness, tightness, and an overall dull appearance. You might also notice dark circles under your eyes. Dry skin holds its shape under pressure, and is more likely to be itchy and flaky. 

Most of us don’t drink enough water throughout the day, but upping your intake can help keep your skin more hydrated (and your whole body running more efficiently!). The U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine says we should consume 1oz of water per pound of weight, meaning a 160lb person needs about 20 cups of water per day. That seems like a lot, but we do get a lot of moisture from food, about 20 percent of our daily total. That means a 160lb person has to drink about a gallon of water per day to stay hydrated.

Love your skin in the spring

It can be hard to enjoy the change of seasons when your skin is dry, but a few simple steps can help alleviate the symptoms of dry skin and improve hydration. If you suffer from dry skin and want relief without searching high and low for the right ingredients, customized formulations from Qyral give dry skin everything it needs, without the headache. And because Qyral products are tailored just for you, they’ll adjust to changes in your lifestyle, meaning you can be sure of beautiful, hydrated skin whatever the season.

Related: Learn all about how to look after your dry skin in the summer!