7 Mistakes That Might Be Making Your Dry Skin Even Drier

First, a cleansing cloth alone isn’t always enough to get rid of makeup or dirt, which, if left behind, can clog your pores and lead to breakouts.⁶ Plus, the friction from rubbing anything across your cheeks, forehead, and delicate eye area can damage your skin barrier and yep, dry it out, Dr. Hu says. (Not to mention the fact that wipes often contain those potentially problematic added fragrances we already warned you about.)

Instead, try this: Using a gentle face wash with soothing ingredients (niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and glycerin are good choices) is key to avoiding further dehydration, Dr. Papantoniou says. Ideally, your cleanser of choice should say things like “gentle,” “creamy,” or “moisturizing” on the label.

For extra-dry skin types, oil-based cleansers may be the way to go since they typically don’t contain surfactants (harsh chemical compounds often found in detergents or foaming products). However, it’s worth noting that oils can also clog your pores. So, especially if you’re acne-prone, consider keeping it simple with a mild wash—preferably one that says “noncomedogenic” on the label, Dr. Hu advises.

Finally, when a cleanser alone isn’t enough to remove persistent or waterproof makeup, Dr. Kirkorian suggests massaging your face with Vaseline, a product with only one ingredient (petrolatum), before cleansing. This method, she says, is less aggressive than using wipes. We totally get it if Vaseline is too greasy for you, though, so another great and gentle option is micellar water, which contains purified water and hydrating micelles (clusters of molecules that bind to oil).⁷

5. You’re over-cleansing your face.

Wait—before you proceed with your face wash or micellar water, just know that there is such a thing as too much cleansing when it comes to dry and itchy skin. “There’s this misconception that you need to wash your face intensely and frequently to keep it clean, and doing so too often can also remove the skin’s natural moisturizing oils,” Dr. Kirkorian says.⁸

Instead, try this: There’s no one-size-fits-all rule for how often you should wash your face. However, Dr. Hu recommends a general guideline of once a day (twice, max) and preferably in the evening. That way, you’ll take off all the oil and dirt (and makeup, perhaps) that’s likely piled up throughout the day. In the morning, if you’re feeling super dry, you can probably skip the cleanser and just rinse your face with plain old water.⁸ Assuming you thoroughly washed your face the night before, your skin probably hasn’t accumulated a ton of dirt or oil while you slept, she explains. The caveat: If you exercise in the a.m. and get sweaty, it’s smart to cleanse a second time, to avoid clogged pores, Dr. Hu says. (Same goes for a mid-day workout, by the way.)

6. You’re taking really hot showers.

Winding down with a steamy shower can be the perfect way to relax. But a scorching rinse may be making your face even more parched. Hot water can deplete the skin of its natural oils, leading to drier skin, Dr. Papantoniou says.