All skin types require individualized TLC — but dry skin is especially sensitive to a few common beauty ingredients that you might find in your cleanser, serum, moisturizer, and even in foundation and blush.
It's important to read labels so that you can feel confident you are investing in a product that will help bring your best complexion forward and won't irritate dry skin. Here are four beauty ingredients you should avoid if you have dry skin.
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Salicylic acid
Acne-prone skin can benefit greatly from a regimen that includes salicylic acid, which is known to sap skin of excess oils and help clear up and prevent pimples fast. But it's too harsh on dry skin and can easily irritate it and cause redness and inflammation. If you have acne and dry skin, look instead for products that contain BHA exfoliant and benzoyl peroxide.
Alcohol
Whether it's listed as Isopropyl alcohol or SD Alcohol 40, all forms of alcohol found in products like toners and some cleansers will sap hydration from your skin and could leave you with a flaky mess on your hands.
Mineral oil
You may think mineral oil can help address the issue of dry skin, but it turns out this ingredient won't do any skin type any favors: it is notorious for clogging pores and causing acne like whiteheads, blackheads, and pimples. If you're in the market for a hydrating oil for dry skin, stick to jojoba oil and rose hips seed oil.
Sodium and Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate
Sulfate-free cleansers are usually the way to go, particularly if you have dry, sensitive skin that tends to react poorly to chemicals. This ingredient is one of the most sensitizing — it may not affect your skin negatively, but there's no reason to take a chance when there are no many cleansers on the market that are free of sulfates.
