If you have naturally dry skin or have noticed it has become as parched as the desert every time you wash your face, the culprit could actually be the products you’re using. Some skincare products become fast friends. They are hydrating, nourishing, and make your skin feel soft, smooth, and healthy. But one sign that you’re using a product that isn’t serving you is that it works in the short-term (in some cases), but winds up drying out your skin even more in the long term.
The cause of your drying skin could very well be specific ingredients that are commonly found in some of the most irritating skincare products, such as cleansers, toners, and even moisturizers. Here are five super-drying beauty products to leave behind in 2023 because they can actually age you.
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Soaps & Cleansers That Lather
When your facial soap or cleanser creates lather and bubbles, it can feel very satisfying. We’ve been taught to associate lather with cleanliness, as if the soapiness of it all is removing more dirt and oil. But these products often contain harsh sulfates that are responsible for that lather. And these sulfates can dry out your skin and strip it of natural oils. Don’t be fooled or seduced by the lather — choose sulfate-free cleansers.
Abrasive Scrubs
If your impulse when you see a dry patch of skin is to remedy the problem with an exfoliant — with ANY exfoliant — you’re missing a key component of the problem. Exfoliating may be just the thing you need to slough away dry, dead skin, but there’s a big difference between using an abrasive scrub with large crystals that can irritate your skin and cause damage and relying on a gentle chemical exfoliant that uses ingredients like glycolic acid.
Toners With Alcohol
Toner is one of those skincare steps that some swear by, and others never follow. There’s nothing wrong with toning your skin between cleansing and moisturizing it, but it is important to avoid toners that contain alcohol and propylene glycol, both of which can dry out your skin and make dry skin much, much worse.
You Use “Natural” Oils
Just because a skincare product contains natural ingredients like essential oils doesn’t mean it’s better for your skin. In fact, you could very well be allergic to lavender or tea tree oil and using these ingredients may result in your breaking out or drying out your skin.
Moisturizers That Don’t Actually Moisturize
All moisturizers are not created equal. Just because yours is designed to provide moisture and hydration to your skin doesn’t mean it’s rich enough to do its job well, especially if you suffer from especially dry skin. Read the ingredients list of your moisturizer. If it doesn’t contain ceramides, vitamin E, hyaluronic acid, shea butter, or some combination of these hydrating ingredients, it may not be the one for you.
