We take dry skin for granted. Most of us feel that slight stretch in our skin and think none of it. But when it takes the form of dry, flaky (and sometimes scaly) skin, only then do we realize the damage dehydration can do. Dry, flaky skin on your face can get nasty and uncomfortable. But with daily treatment and some TLC, you CAN get rid of it.

How to Cure Dry, Flaky Skin on Your Face

We highly recommend testing this skincare routine for at least two to three months. As with treatments that are effective and safe, give this procedure some time to take full effect. 

Here’s how to care for dry, flay skin on your face!  

Skincare Routine for Dry, Flaky Skin on Face

Kiss dry, flaky skin on your face for good with this tried and tested skin care routine:

Step #1: Double cleanse at night and at least once in the morning

If you’re new to the double cleansing game, this is what you need to know: a proper double cleanse is a method that uses two types of cleansers – an oil-based cleanser and a water-based cleanser. Oil-based cleansers remove oil-based debris such as sebum and makeup. Water-based cleansers remove water-based impurities such as sweat and dirt. Do you need to double cleanse?  The short answer is YES. It’s the secret of K-beauty fans. Double cleansing is the cornerstone of a good skincare routine. In fact, it’s the most important step!  If your skin isn’t clear of debris, then other products (regardless of price and caliber) won’t work well. And yeah…your skin won’t stay clear. 

Won’t I over-cleanse my skin? Not at all. The right products won’t strip lipids and ceramides off of your skin.

Step #2: Tone about 2-3 times a week

We’d love for nothing more than a fuss-free skincare routine. But hear us out!  You’d really want to include toners two to three times a week. Here’s why: toners or chemical exfoliants actually help remove excess dirt, debris from make-up, oil, and dead skin cells that remain on the skin despite washing. Simply put, a facial toner thoroughly cleanses the skin and restores pH balance.  If your skin is exceptionally oily, toners help prevent clogged pores.

We highly recommend chemical exfoliants because it's easy to apply and it isn’t as easy to go overboard with (unlike manual exfoliants). It also brings about better results with dry, flaky skin.

Step #3: Use a hydrating mask 2-3 times a week

A hydrating mask is a must for dry, flaky skin. It might sound messy at first… but this isn’t your grandma’s mask! It’s never too early to start an anti-aging routine.  You want to keep those fine lines at bay for as long as you can. We personally prefer a light, breathable mask you can leave on for a few minutes (or overnight) simply because you could just snooze and wake up with visibly smoother skin.

Step #4: Use eye cream under your eyes, at the corners of your eyes, on your eyelids, and around your mouth

The sensitive areas around the eyes and mouth are easy to neglect. If you suffer from dry, flaky skin or if the weather is chilly in your area, you would want an eye cream that takes care of dry patches and dark circles. The skin around our eyes and mouth take a beating when it comes to weather, stress, sun-exposure, and allergies. So give those areas the TLC they need with a restorative eye cream.

Step #5: Use a serum before your moisturizer

Dry, flaky skin needs more than your usual moisturizer. For thorough hydration, add serum to your facial routine. Serums and moisturizers work great in tandem. Serums are light and thinner than moisturizers and are applied to address a variety of skin issues. There are anti-aging serums, acne-prevention serums, skin-brightening serums, and moisture-boosting serums. You’d want a moisture-boosting serum for dry, flaky skin. Moisturizers, on the other hand, are creamier and thicker. In addition to hydration, moisturizers prevent water loss. 

Serums contain active ingredients that penetrate deeply into the skin.  For this reason, you should always apply serum directly onto freshly cleansed or toned skin (before putting on moisturizer and sunscreen).

Step #6: Use a thick layer of moisturizer

Can you put too much moisturizer on your face? The short answer is YES.  Moisturizers are concentrated and provide more than enough hydration. BUT if you have dry, flaky skin, then being generous with a light moisturizer would help a whole lot. Apply one layer as you normally would.  Allow to absorb, then apply a second layer.

Step #7: Use facial oil in the evening at least 3-4 times a week

Applying a layer of facial oil in the evening, three to four times a week is a great treatment for dry, flaky skin. In addition to maximum hydration, a good facial oil delivers antioxidants and nutrients where it’s needed the most. Be generous on areas with dry patches.

Best Homemade Face Masks for Dry, Flaky Skin

We love face masks! No… we really LOVE face masks – whether in sheet form, clay, splash, or gel. It’s the perfect treatment for anyone with a fast-paced routine simply because it’s a cinch to use. And it gets you results fast!  If you struggle with dry-flaky skin, pre-made face masks and home-made DIY ones come highly recommended!  Here’s a list of the most effective masks we’ve tried.

Banana Mask

What you need:        

• 2 medium-sized bananas
• 1 tablespoon raw honey
• ¼ cup yogurt

How to make and use: Peel and mash bananas into a lumpy puree.  Add yogurt and honey. Mix well.  Use a cosmetic brush to apply and leave on for 20 minutes.  Wash off with warm water and gently dry with a soft towel

Why it’s good for dry, flaky skin: Bananas are packed with nutrition. It contains potassium, vitamin E, and C that work to replenish and hydrate. Raw honey, on the other hand, locks in moisture. Yogurt soothes itchiness.

Egg and Olive Oil Mask

What you need:        

• 1 egg yolk
• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• ½ medium banana (lumpy pureed)

How to make and use: Mix egg yolk and banana into a uniform blend. Add olive oil and mix thoroughly. Apply a thick layer onto face using circular motions. Leave for 15 minutes. Wash off with cold water. 

Why it's good for dry, flaky skin: Egg yolk contains water and fats that hydrate and lock in moisture. Olive oil moisturizes without the greasy feel. It also contains vitamin E which contributes to skin’s elasticity. Bananas lend that extra moisture that dry, flaky skin needs.

Aloe and Cucumber Mask

What you need:        

• 2 tablespoons aloe vera gel
• ½ cucumber cut in slices

How to make and use: Blend cucumber slices in a blender or food processor until watery. Add aloe vera gel and blend until smooth. Massage the paste evenly onto skin. Leave for 30 minutes and rinse off with cool water.

Why it's good for dry, flaky skin: Aloe vera is known to soothe sunburned skin. But it's also has hydrating, healing, and anti-aging properties. Cucumber has cooling and cleansing properties that work well for itchy skin patches.

Shea Butter & Coconut Oil Mask

What you need:        

• 1 tablespoon shea butter
• 1 tablespoon coconut oil
• 1 tablespoon aloe vera (optional)

How to make and use: Combine everything until thoroughly blended. Spread onto skin with a cosmetic brush and leave on for 15 minutes. Rinse with lukewarm water.

Why it’s good for dry, flaky skin:  The combination of coconut oil and shea butter softens, hydrates, and evens out skin tone. With regular use, it also restores elasticity. Aloe vera, on the other hand, contains hydrating, healing, and anti-aging properties.

Vitamin E and Avocado Mask

What you need:        

• ½ medium sized avocado (mashed)
• 1 teaspoon vitamin E oil 

How to make and use:  Mix the two ingredients well and apply with a cosmetic brush. Leave on for 20 minutes. Then wash off with lukewarm water. 

Why its good for dry, flaky skin:  Vitamin E is an anti-inflammatory known for restoring moisture to extremely dry skin. Avocado also contains moisturizing properties.

Exfoliating Coconut Oil Sugar Mask Scrub

What you need:        

• 1 teaspoon brown sugar
• 2 to 5 drops of coconut oil

How to make and use:  Mix the two ingredients. Gently rub onto clean, dry face for two minutes (to control pressure, use third and ring fingers of each hand). Leave for five minutes, then rise with tepid water.  Face will feel a little oily but your skin will eventually absorb the coconut oil.

Why its good for dry, flaky skin: Brown sugar provides gentler exfoliation compared to white sugar. Coconut oil has healing and hydrating properties.

Cream and Honey Mask

What you need:        

• 1 tablespoon heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon raw honey

How to make and use:  Mix the two ingredients very well until it forms a creamy paste. Apply mask onto face with a cosmetic brush and leave for 10 to 15 minutes.  Rinse with warm water to loosen the mask, then rinse with cold water.  

Why it's good for dry, flaky skin: The fat in heavy cream provides moisture suitable for extra dry, itchy and flaky skin. Raw honey, on the other hand, contains healing and anti-inflammatory properties.

Most Hydrating Foods to Help with Dry, Flaky Skin

Taking care of your skin from the outside is half the battle. To heal and get rid of dry, flaky skin for good, you have to be healthy from the inside as well. For hydrated and healthy skin, make sure to include these foods in your diet.

Cucumber

Cucumbers are primarily composed of water. It contains caffeic acid and vitamin C that help reduce swelling and alleviates skin irritations. This is why it’s a go-to ingredient when it comes to sunburn and swollen eyes.

Tomato Sauce

Tomatoes are rich in vitamin C, vitamin A, and lycopene. All of which promote wound healing, so eating tomato sauce when you have a breakout. 

Eggplant

Eggplants are high in fiber and water but low in calories, so they're perfect for hydrating your skin!

Apples

Apples are gut- and heart-friendly fruits. What’s good for the heart, is definitely good for the skin!

Zucchini

Zucchinis are the most hydrating vegetables you can eat. It's also an excellent source of potassium, vitamin A, vitamin C, and folate.

Cantaloupe

In addition to it being 90% water, a cup provides your daily requirement for vitamin A.

Bell Peppers

Bell peppers are rich in vitamin C, thiamine, vitamin B6, folic acid, and beta carotene, all super great nutrients for your skin!

Romaine Lettuce

Romaine lettuce may contain less water than the iceberg variety but it contains three times more folate, eight times more beta-carotene, and six times more vitamin C. 

Carrots

Carrots contain the antioxidant beta-carotene. The human body converts beta-carotene into vitamin A. Vitamin A is essential for healthy skin and a strong immune system.

Mango

Mangoes are a good source of fiber, Vitamins A, C, and B6, all great nutrients for your skin!

Yogurt

Yogurt helps replace lost electrolytes because is contains potassium and sodium. This helps hydrates your skin and prevents breakouts! 

Strawberries

Strawberries are great sources of vitamins K and C and are a great way to prevent breakouts from occurring! 

Celery

Celery contains just the right combination of salts, vitamins, and amino acids – nutrients that hydrate your body.

Conclusion

Give these tips and tidbits a try and do let us know what works for you!