How To Treat Dry Skin

Why skin gets dry

Dry skin makes less of its own oil, so the outer layer struggles to hold on to water. It shows up as tightness after washing, rough or flaky patches, and make-up that catches on dry areas. Hot showers, foaming cleansers, air-conditioning, dry Highveld winters and scrubbing too often all make it worse.

Dry skin is not the same as dehydrated skin. Dehydration is a lack of water rather than oil, and it can affect oily skin too. If your skin feels tight but still gets shiny, you may be dehydrated rather than dry.

A simple routine that helps

• Cleanse gently. Use a cream or milk cleanser and lukewarm water, not hot water.
• Moisturise on damp skin. Apply moisturiser within a minute or two of cleansing so it seals in water. Richer creams suit dry skin better than light gels.
• Use sunscreen every day. Sun damage weakens the skin barrier over time.
• Exfoliate lightly. Once a week is usually enough for dry skin.

Habits that make dry skin worse

• Washing more than twice a day, or using the same strong cleanser you use on your body.
• Layering several active products at once, such as retinol and acids, without building up slowly.
• Skipping moisturiser because your skin "feels fine" after a shower.

When a professional facial is worth it

If your skin stays tight or flaky after a few weeks of a gentler routine, a professional treatment can help. At Galeo Beauty, Hydraderm cleanses, extracts and hydrates in one appointment, and the Dermalogica Pro Skin Treatment is customised to how your skin looks on the day. The QMS Collagen Facial is another option if you also want to focus on firmness.

Your therapist will look at your skin before choosing products and can suggest a home routine that suits it. If you have very itchy, cracked or painful skin, see a doctor first, as that can be a skin condition rather than simple dryness.