Dry patches do not just show up on dry skin, it can show up on oily skin as well. Dry patches are usually a result of skin’s retaliation to the changing weather, hormonal changes, dry air, exposure to harsh sun rays, or the use of wrong skincare products. Our skin produces sebum and natural oils which help to keep the skin cells hydrated and lubricated, but when there is under-production of sebum, it can cause the skin to go dry, itchy, and flaky, leading to dry patches on the face. The good thing is that these dry patches are easy to spot treat. In this post, we have listed down a few tips to fix these dry patches on the face. So, let’s get into the details.

1. Avoid Harsh Cleansers to Clean Skin:

The products with harsh ingredients tend to strip off the moisture from your face, leaving it dry and vulnerable. This could lead to the formation of or worsen dry patches. Also, totally avoid using soap on the face. When it comes to facial cleansers, choose the products with a soap-free formula to prevent your skin from getting dry. For toner, do not swipe the toner having alcohol as a base or meant for normal to oily skin over dry patches. Overall, keep your dry patches clear of any ingredient that can dry out your skin.

2. Skip Washing the Face with Hot Water:

Nothing can beat the soothing effect of a hot and long shower. But, a hot and long shower can have negative impacts on your skin. A long and hot shower damages the topmost layer of the skin and leaves it vulnerable to moisture loss. Moreover, it can strip off the natural oil, making dry patches prominent. To avoid such situations, cut short your shower duration and soak yourself in warm water instead of hot.

3. Do Not Overtly Cleanse the Skin:

Cleansing your face more than twice a day can worsen the situation of dry patches on the face. Moreover, if you are not using a soap-free cleanser, then harsh ingredients along with over cleansing will make your skin dry, dull and patchy. It will become much harder to treat dry patches. Thus, try to cleanse your face twice a day only with a soap-free and non-drying facial cleanser.

4. Do not over Exfoliate:

Though exfoliation is important in order to treat those dry patches, do not exploit those patches. It will only lead to irritated and broken skin, which is more painful than having dry patches. Over exfoliation can lead to more dry and patchy skin along with dullness. When done under a limit, exfoliation can do wonders to the skin. Be very careful while using chemical exfoliants.

5. Pamper your Skin with Facial Oils:

Mostly dry patches need to be spot treated and facial oils are one of the best options available. Facial oils are quite effective in treating those pesky dry patches that are the result of the seasonal change. The facial oils lock in the moisture and prevent skin from getting dry or patchy. Moreover, it makes skin smoother and softer. With the regular use of facial oils, you can see those dry patches vanishing. If you have oily or acne-prone skin, then jojoba oil is a good option because it’s a non-comedogenic oil that does not cause any breakouts on sensitive and acne-prone skin types.

6. Use a Hyaluronic-Based Product or Serum:

If your skin tends to have dry patches now and then, irrespective of the weather, add a hyaluronic acid based serum or cream to your routine. Whether your dry patches are the result of seasonal change or dehydration, hyaluronic acid can fix it. It can be used all over the face to keep skin hydrated and soft. This way, your skin will start looking glowing and nourished in no time.

7. Try these Overnight Treatments:

Your skin repairs faster when you’re asleep. Anything you apply on your skin at night is directly reflected the next morning. These overnight masks create a barrier over your skin and prevent moisture loss, making skin soft and supple. Thus, a good hydrating overnight mask will be a perfect choice to treat those dry patches. Alternatively, you can apply a coat of Vaseline Petroleum Jelly over dry patches at the end of your skin care routine to lock in the moisture.

8. Aloe vera gel is for Everyone:

Aloe vera gel is a great moisturizer and it offers anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, too. It effectively helps in treating dry patches. The antioxidants, minerals and vitamins present in aloe vera gel nourish dry patches and keep them moisturized. You can use a fresh aloe leaf or organic aloe vera gel. To treat those dry patches with aloe vera, massage it over the dry patches and leave it on for as long as you desire. Rinse it off with normal water later.

9. Glycerin and Rose Water for Extremely Dry Skin:

Glycerin is an amazing emollient that locks the moisture in by creating a barrier. It effectively prevents moisture loss from the skin. Rose water soothes dry patches and hydrates the skin effectively. To use, take a teaspoon of glycerin and a tablespoon full of rose water. Mix them well and apply on the dry patches. Leave it on for a few hours and then rinse it off with normal water. If possible, follow this treatment at night for better results.

10. Papaya and watermelon face pack

The natural acids and enzymes present in these fruits exfoliate the skin effectively, sloughing off the dead skin cells. In turn, this pack makes skin smoother and treats dry patches. As a result, the skin is nourished, hydrated and moisturized enough to prevent dry patches from reappearing. For fruit face pack, take an equal amount of mashed papaya and watermelon. You can add a little milk powder as well. Apply this over dry patches and leave it on for 20 minutes. Later, rinse it off with normal water. Repeat the procedure thrice a week for maximum benefits.

11. Try Mild Glycolic-Based Products:

Glycolic acid improves the texture of the skin by exfoliating away the dead skin layer and dry patches and also stimulates collagen production, revealing new skin from beneath. Ask your dermatologist about how you can include glycolic acid into your skincare routine. Read “Why Glycolic Acid is Good for All Skin Types” here.

12. Protect Skin with a Good Sunscreen:

Never ever skip a sunscreen. It might surprise you, but dry skin can be triggered by harmful sun rays and that’s why a good sunscreen with at least SPF 30 factor and broad spectrum protection is always recommended. Here’s a list of 15 Fragrance-Free Sunscreens for all skin types.

13. Oatmeal and Honey Face Pack:

Take 2 tbsp of oatmeal powder and add 1 tbsp of honey to it. You can also mash half a banana and mix everything well. Apply this pack all over the face and neck and wipe off after 20 minutes. Oatmeal has anti-inflammatory products that soothe itchy, stretchy, and dry patches. Honey is also a soothing agent and acts as a humectant, bringing in moisture to the skin. Banana has vitamin A and E content and helps to nourish and soothe skin.

14. Dump Abrasive Towels and Switch to Soft Wash Cloth to Wipe the Face:

How many of us are still using harsh towels to vigorously wipe our face? Instead of softly dabbing, we tend to use abrasive towels to wick away the water from the face. This action will rip the natural oils from the face and cause dry patches to appear on the face because of the vigorous tugging. Invest in pure cotton cleansing mitt or muslin wash cloth to just lightly dab the water off after cleansing the facial skin.

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