Dry skin – men suffer from this too. Having dry skin might seem like a blessing during puberty since you don’t have to deal with spots or acne. Unfortunately, that’s the only time in your life when dry skin can feel like a benefit, because it also comes with several disadvantages.
Your skin often feels tight, and in severe cases, it can even crack. In addition, you are more likely to develop wrinkles if you have dry skin compared to men with normal, combination, or oily skin.
You may also experience flakes of dry skin that cling to your face. The beard area is particularly prone to this, as beard hairs tend to trap these flakes. These white flakes are also known as beard dandruff.
Caring for dry skin
Moisturising is particularly important when it comes to caring for dry skin in men. You also want to avoid facial cleansers that strip your skin of its natural oils, as you already produce very little of them. However, it’s still important to cleanse your face before applying a moisturiser so that your skin can absorb it properly.
That’s why you should take a good look at your skincare step routine and use products formulated specifically for dry skin. This way, you can achieve healthy-looking skin without the risk of worsening dryness.
Facial cleanser for dry skin in men
If you suffer from dry or tight skin, it’s essential to use a gentle facial cleanser. This allows you to cleanse your skin properly without drying it out by washing away natural oils. The more natural the formula, the better — and if a facial cleanser also contains organic ingredients, it’s absolutely ideal for dry skin.
Face scrub for dry skin to combat flakes
Do you suffer from dry skin flakes? Then it can be useful to exfoliate your skin from time to time. This removes dead skin cells — and with them, the white flakes. A good scrub helps to lift and remove all loose skin flakes from your face. It’s recommended to use a face scrub about twice a week. If you have a dry complexion, however, it’s best not to use it too often, as a scrub cleanses more deeply than a facial cleanser.
Moisturiser for men with dry skin
After cleansing dry skin, it’s extremely important to hydrate it thoroughly with a moisturiser or face cream. These creams nourish your skin and restore its moisture balance. They tend to be slightly richer and oilier, as that’s exactly what your skin needs to maintain proper hydration levels.
Dry skin or eczema?
If you have dry skin, you’re also more likely to develop eczema. If you notice that regular moisturisers don’t help with your dry patches, there’s a good chance you’re dealing with seborrhoeic eczema. This is often recognised by flaky skin and tends to worsen when you’re under stress [1].
These dry areas typically appear on your T-zone — between and around your eyebrows, nose, mouth, and chin.
If you suffer from eczema, certain additions to your moisturiser can be useful to achieve the desired effect. You can also visit a dermatologist to have your skin condition examined.
In general, seborrhoeic eczema looks a bit like dandruff — but on your face. Just like with dandruff, it’s important to keep the skin’s flora healthy to maintain good hydration.
Caring for dry skin with eczema
There are several natural ingredients that help your skin retain moisture when you have eczema, such as:
- Zinc.
- Green tea.
- Hyaluronic acid.
Research shows that zinc and green tea extract can help reduce seborrhoeic eczema. Hyaluronic acid is particularly effective at retaining moisture and can even reduce the depth of wrinkles. It’s also a great ingredient to look for in a moisturiser, so be sure to check out the facial creams mentioned above.
Beard oil for dry skin
Beard oil isn’t just good for your beard hair — it’s also beneficial for dry or eczema-prone skin. That’s why it’s important to treat the skin beneath your beard properly when applying beard oil. Take a few drops of beard oil in your palm and rub your palms together (not your fingers). Then, run your palms upwards through your beard, making sure to reach the skin underneath. Finally, smooth your beard back down.
This method ensures the beard oil is distributed evenly while hydrating the skin beneath at the same time. Combined with regular exfoliation, it helps reduce the risk of white flakes in your beard.
Caring for dry facial skin as a man is therefore about removing dead skin cells and keeping your skin nourished and hydrated.
Conclusion
Dry skin can simply be dry skin, or it can be a sign of seborrhoeic eczema. In both cases, it’s important to cleanse and hydrate the skin properly. Facial creams containing hyaluronic acid are extremely effective for keeping your skin hydrated and also provide anti-ageing benefits.
For eczema, it’s also useful to look for ingredients such as zinc, avocado oil, or green tea, as these help to soothe and reduce flare-ups.
In addition to the practical aspects of skincare, it’s equally important to minimise stress as much as possible, as this can significantly reduce the likelihood and severity of eczema.