Dry, flaky skin is frustrating on so many levels. The rough texture it creates can both look and feel uncomfortable. If you’re experiencing skin that is starting to feel dry, tight, and peel, you’re probably eager to find out A) what caused it and B) how to fix dry skin for good.
Continue reading to discover what causes flaky skin on the face, how to fix it, plus some tips on keeping your skin well hydrated to keep it from happening again!
What Causes Flaky Skin
Even those of us with carefully curated skin care routines can be hit with a rough patch. Some common causes of flaky skin include:
Damaged Skin Barrier: When your skin barrier is compromised, it becomes less effective at retaining moisture and may become more sensitive. Your face will start to feel dry and tight, and you’ll likely see inflammation, peeling, and even acne breakouts as the barrier serves as a protective layer against irritants.
One way many people end up damaging their skin barrier is– ironically– through their skin care routines. If your regimen isn’t tailored to your skin type, you may be using formulas that are too harsh or drying for your specific needs, damaging your skin barrier. Alcohol-based toners, highly fragranced products, and makeup or skin care with drying ingredients can all contribute to irritating the skin. Additionally, if you’re using too many exfoliants, or exfoliating too often, this is another quick way to break down that barrier.
Your Environment: If you are noticing flaky skin seasonally, your environment and the elements may have a part to play. Cold and dry weather can dehydrate your face if your skin care products aren’t picking up the slack. On the flip side, excessive sun exposure– and sunburn– can do the same and more in terms of skin damage. Even if you’re often in a climate-controlled environment, running the A/C or furnace can affect the skin over long periods of time.
Skin Conditions: Flaky skin can also indicate an underlying skin condition. People who struggle with eczema, psoriasis, and dermatitis will most likely experience flaky skin during flare-ups. It’s always a good idea to consult a dermatologist if dry and flaky skin develops into something more painful, spreading, or starts swelling and cracking.
Lifestyle Habits: Dehydrating your body means dehydrating your skin. If you’re not getting your recommended daily intake of water, that can show up on your face! Stress, poor sleep, and an unbalanced diet can also affect your skin’s health.
How to Fix Flaky Skin: The Dos and Don’ts
Identifying the cause of your flaky skin is the first step… where do you go from there? Here are some steps you can take to both fix flaky skin and keep it from recurring.
What to Avoid:
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Harsh scrubs and exfoliants: As tempting as it may be to scrub off flaky skin, you’re more likely to exacerbate the condition and make matters worse. Lay off the scrubs and exfoliating towels until your skin is in better shape.
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(Too) Hot Water: Washing your face with very hot water can strip your skin of its natural oils, over-drying it and causing irritation that can lead to flakiness. This is why it’s recommended not to cleanse your face in the shower, because we typically turn the temperature up higher when washing our bodies than what is recommended for the face.
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Fragranced makeup and skin care: Fragrance is one of the most common skin irritants, and is known for causing a contact dermatitis reaction in those with sensitive skin. But even if fragrance doesn’t normally bother you, it can aggravate already-irritated skin. Check for fragrance/parfum listed in the ingredients, and opt for fragrance-free options.
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Beauty products with drying ingredients: When your skin is prone to flakes, it’s begging for hydration. Avoid drying ingredients in makeup and skin care like clay or alcohol.
How to Heal Dry Flaky Skin
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Use gentle exfoliators: Swap strong serums for a sensitive-skin-friendly exfoliating cleanser, like the Black Rice Triple AHA Gentle Cleansing Gel. This cleanser gently exfoliates, unclogs pores, and brightens the complexion without stripping your skin. The complex of citric acid, mandelic acid, and tartaric acid leaves the skin soft, but never tight. Since this is a rinse-off product, both the formula and short time it sits on the skin make it gentle enough for daily use.
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Boost hydration: To help fix flaky skin fast, add extra layers in your skin care routine that target hydration and soothing. The Black Rice Probiotics Barrier Essence is your ultimate barrier care in a bottle. This milky essence is clinically proven to improve moisture and skin barrier health by over 20% with regular use over two weeks. The blend of ceramides, cholesterol, fatty acids, and probiotics replenish nutrients to the skin, hydrate, and prevent dryness, while also breaking down dry skin to improve texture and tone. Apply this morning and night after cleansing and before the rest of your routine. You can also add it to your foundation for a more hydrating hybrid.
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Use a barrier cream: Fortify your skin barrier with a cream that utilizes ceramides. Our Black Rice 5 Ceramide Barrier Moisturizing Cream is a rich cream that contains 1% ceramide-filled capsules structured for easy absorption and instant, deep hydration that lasts all day.
Don’t forget your hands.
Flaky skin doesn’t only happen on the face. I experience rough patches most on my hands and cuticles– especially during winter months and when I’m washing them often. Many of the above tips can be applied when dealing with dry, flaky skin on the hands, as well.
I always have a good hand moisturizer in my purse or at my desk– currently, the Black Bamboo Nourishing Calming Hand & Nail Cream. I love this hand cream because it’s super nourishing with Murumuru butter and coconut oil, and boosts the skin barrier with panthenol and vitamin E… but sinks in quickly with no residue left behind. The scent is fresh and light, and it makes my hands and cuticles instantly feel (and look) softer.
Aside from applying hand cream after washing, I also use gloves when doing the dishes and cleaning, which has made a huge difference in keeping my hands soft and smooth.
Final Takeaway
Flaky skin is common, but manageable with the right skin care routine and habits. The best way to pinpoint the cause of your particular flare-up is the process of elimination, so that you can prevent future irritation as much as possible. From there, nourishing and barrier-friendly products will help get your skin back to bouncy.
Meet the Author
Miranda has been a trusted voice in the online beauty community since 2012, sharing her reviews, tips and tutorials on social media and her blog. Her expertise has earned her recognition as a repeat judge for the Glamour Beauty Awards and features in publications like Seventeen Magazine and Allure Magazine. One of Miranda’s main missions centers around uncovering the best bang for your buck in the beauty aisle, sharing budget-friendly beauty products that perform like high end options. When she’s not elbows deep in makeup, you can find her curled up with a book and her two cats, alongside her gamer husband. Connect with her on YouTube.
Barrier Repair 101 : How to Finally Fix Dry Flaky Skin on Your Face
Dry, flaky skin is frustrating on so many levels. The rough texture it creates can both look and feel uncomfortable. If you’re experiencing skin that is starting to feel dry, tight, and peel, you’re probably eager to find out A) what caused it and B) how to fix dry skin for good.
Continue reading to discover what causes flaky skin on the face, how to fix it, plus some tips on keeping your skin well hydrated to keep it from happening again!
What Causes Flaky Skin
Even those of us with carefully curated skin care routines can be hit with a rough patch. Some common causes of flaky skin include:
Damaged Skin Barrier: When your skin barrier is compromised, it becomes less effective at retaining moisture and may become more sensitive. Your face will start to feel dry and tight, and you’ll likely see inflammation, peeling, and even acne breakouts as the barrier serves as a protective layer against irritants.
One way many people end up damaging their skin barrier is– ironically– through their skin care routines. If your regimen isn’t tailored to your skin type, you may be using formulas that are too harsh or drying for your specific needs, damaging your skin barrier. Alcohol-based toners, highly fragranced products, and makeup or skin care with drying ingredients can all contribute to irritating the skin. Additionally, if you’re using too many exfoliants, or exfoliating too often, this is another quick way to break down that barrier.
Your Environment: If you are noticing flaky skin seasonally, your environment and the elements may have a part to play. Cold and dry weather can dehydrate your face if your skin care products aren’t picking up the slack. On the flip side, excessive sun exposure– and sunburn– can do the same and more in terms of skin damage. Even if you’re often in a climate-controlled environment, running the A/C or furnace can affect the skin over long periods of time.
Skin Conditions: Flaky skin can also indicate an underlying skin condition. People who struggle with eczema, psoriasis, and dermatitis will most likely experience flaky skin during flare-ups. It’s always a good idea to consult a dermatologist if dry and flaky skin develops into something more painful, spreading, or starts swelling and cracking.
Lifestyle Habits: Dehydrating your body means dehydrating your skin. If you’re not getting your recommended daily intake of water, that can show up on your face! Stress, poor sleep, and an unbalanced diet can also affect your skin’s health.
How to Fix Flaky Skin: The Dos and Don’ts
Identifying the cause of your flaky skin is the first step… where do you go from there? Here are some steps you can take to both fix flaky skin and keep it from recurring.
What to Avoid:
How to Heal Dry Flaky Skin
Don’t forget your hands.
Flaky skin doesn’t only happen on the face. I experience rough patches most on my hands and cuticles– especially during winter months and when I’m washing them often. Many of the above tips can be applied when dealing with dry, flaky skin on the hands, as well.
I always have a good hand moisturizer in my purse or at my desk– currently, the Black Bamboo Nourishing Calming Hand & Nail Cream. I love this hand cream because it’s super nourishing with Murumuru butter and coconut oil, and boosts the skin barrier with panthenol and vitamin E… but sinks in quickly with no residue left behind. The scent is fresh and light, and it makes my hands and cuticles instantly feel (and look) softer.
Aside from applying hand cream after washing, I also use gloves when doing the dishes and cleaning, which has made a huge difference in keeping my hands soft and smooth.
Final Takeaway
Flaky skin is common, but manageable with the right skin care routine and habits. The best way to pinpoint the cause of your particular flare-up is the process of elimination, so that you can prevent future irritation as much as possible. From there, nourishing and barrier-friendly products will help get your skin back to bouncy.
Meet the Author
Miranda has been a trusted voice in the online beauty community since 2012, sharing her reviews, tips and tutorials on social media and her blog. Her expertise has earned her recognition as a repeat judge for the Glamour Beauty Awards and features in publications like Seventeen Magazine and Allure Magazine. One of Miranda’s main missions centers around uncovering the best bang for your buck in the beauty aisle, sharing budget-friendly beauty products that perform like high end options. When she’s not elbows deep in makeup, you can find her curled up with a book and her two cats, alongside her gamer husband. Connect with her on YouTube.