Skincare Tip – Caring for Dry Patches

Hi all, recently I had a little problem with dry patches. As you know, it was a difficult period for my family when my mom was hospitalised. I’m so glad she is discharged and could be treated at home. Now I can find some time to take care of my skin, which strangely, has gone quite dry of late despite the unusually rainy season in sunny Singapore. The dry patches are on the lower sections of my cheeks and I was quite terrified because I thought dry patches should be almost unheard of in a country where humidity is very high. So what did I do?

Cleansing

No excuses for not cleaning your face after a long day at work or outside. Grime will accumulate and we should learn to clean them off our skin with appropriate cleansers. During the period where I had dry patches (no itch), I continued to clean my skin with my foam cleansers and clarisonic. Please don’t be alarmed, I was very gentle with my clarisonic because the other sections of my face is still normal to oily. The dry patches are only cleansed with my foam cleansers. If you are experiencing itch as well, please switch to milder cleansers and stay away from clarisonic for that day and use Foreo instead. I will recommend the use of Bioderma Sensibio to clean your face or mild cleansing lotion that can be wiped away with soft cotton.

Toning

Some of the Japanese products such as Albion and Shiseido adopts different skincare philosophy and would recommend to reverse the wash-tone-moisturize process. If you are following the usual wash-tone-moisturize procedure for skin care, please use non-alcoholic toners to sooth the already sensitive dry patch.

Moisturize

Regardless of whether you are following the 3 step process or you are adopting Albion or Shiseido skincare steps, I suggest you whip out a hydrating mask like the My Beauty Diary Aloe Vera Mask and put on your face for 15 mins. Massage in the lotion from the mask and use a tissue to dab away excess before applying the following:

– For 3 Step > Apply Facial Oil (e.g. Neal’s Yard Remedies Rehydrating Rose) and/or Facial Cream that works for your skin

– For those using Albion > Apply Albion Herbal Oil Gold before applying Exage Moist Crystal Milk II and Skin Conditioner respectively

Your skin should feel a lot more hydrated the next day. I use facial oils for the next two days and it helped to keep my dry patches hydrated. In fact, I noticed that some of the dry skin flaked off when I gently massage the facial oil onto my skin. I also choose to use foundations that will increase my skin hydration (e.g. bareMinerals Ready Foundation).My skin is now smoother and more hydrated. Of course, drinking lots of water will complement your efforts to keep your skin hydrated.

Hope the above tip will help address your dry patches esp if you live in humid country like me! 🙂