Shifts in seasons can cause these changes—but don't worry. They're temporary. If you experience increased dryness or oiliness concentrated in certain parts of your face, begin treating it like combination skin until it shifts back to your usual skin type.
"Your skin type can change over time due to environmental factors, age, hormones and other health-related issues," Michele Green, M.D., a New York City-based board-certified dermatologist, explains. "Yes, your skin can transform from oily to dry, combination, or sensitive, but it doesn't just happen on its own.
Can Dry Skin Heal Itself? Actually, dry skin can heal itself to some degree when you give your body what it needs to do so. Many moisturizing products feel amazing when you apply them but can sometimes be more of a short-term fix.
Many people have dry skin, and many people have oily skin. But what about a combination of the two? Although it sounds like an oxymoron, it's possible to have skin that's simultaneously dry and oily. Dermatologists may label skin with this condition as “combination skin.”
"A patient's skin type can change over time depending upon numerous factors such as water content, oil content, and sensitivity. Factors that affect these changes include hormones, aging, changes in seasons, and medications."
Living in cold, windy conditions or low-humidity climates. Too much bathing or scrubbing. Taking long, hot showers or baths or scrubbing your skin too much can dry your skin. Bathing more than once a day can remove the natural oils from your skin too.
Why can dry skin cause acne? Since the clogging of hair follicles causes acne, dry skin can cause an excess buildup of dead skin cells. This, in turn, can clog your pores. In addition, dry skin makes your pores more likely to break open, allowing acne causing bacteria deeper into the skin.
Genetically, dry skin tends to be thinner, pores are smaller, and skin appears to be smoother. But fine lines and wrinkles do appear more exaggerated. Oily skin, on the other hand, has much larger pores and is thicker. This provides extra padding or cushion to the skin.
Normal skin
The scientific term for well-balanced skin is eudermic. The T-zone (forehead, chin and nose) may be a bit oily, but overall sebum and moisture is balanced and the skin is neither too oily nor too dry. A velvety, soft and smooth texture is a sign for a healthy and radiant skin.
If the outermost layer of the epidermis doesn't contain enough water, skin will lose elasticity and feel rough. Despite this connection, however, there's a lack of research showing that drinking extra water has any impact on skin hydration or appearance.
Consuming foods that are high in vitamins A, C, D, and E, as well as foods that are good sources of zinc and selenium, may help prevent or improve dry skin. Omega-3, green tea antioxidants, and turmeric also have benefits for the skin.
Your skin may be naturally light or dark depending on how much melanin your skin produces. Changes in melanin production can be caused by changing hormone levels and medications. Although melanin pigment is brown, its appearance changes hue the deeper it rests in the skin.
Dry skin refers to skin that becomes dry and flaky due to a lack of oil and natural moisturizing factors. Dehydrated skin occurs when you don't have enough water in your skin. Dehydration can cause your skin to become less elastic and more prone to showing fine lines and wrinkles.
Gently pat a blotting paper on the different areas of your face. Hold the sheet up to the light to determine how much oil is visible. If the sheet picked up little to no oil, you most likely have dry skin. If the blotting sheet reveals oil from the forehead and nose areas, your skin is combination.
The truth behind the myth. A widely accepted myth is that dry skin causes wrinkles. The reality is that dry skin only gives off the appearance of more wrinkles compared to oily skin. Natural oils or sebum in oil-prone skin help keep skin hydrated making skin appear more plump and moist.
What Makes Skin Dry as We Age? Dermatologist Sonia Badreshia-Bansal, MD, says fewer natural oils, sun damage, and decreased cell renewal can all lead to dry, rougher skin as we get older. Loss of hormones can also lead to drier skin.
Too much can lead to clogged pores and acne breakouts. Even though oily skin and acne often go hand in hand, acne can also occur with dry skin. Anything that clogs your pores can cause breakouts.
“In terms of whether we should stop washing our faces altogether, the answer will most likely always be no,” says David Lortscher, MD, a San Diego dermatologist. “But washing your face with a cleanser can be skipped every once in awhile. Some people prefer to simply rinse their face with water and no cleanser.
You should absolutely moisturize your skin even if you have active acne. It's an absolute myth that moisturizing your face will worsen your acne. In fact, moisturizers are necessary to keep acne-prone skin as relaxed as possible.
“Aloe Vera has lots of uses,” said Kim Chang, aesthetician with the Baylor Aesthetics Studio. “It contains antioxidants, enzymes, Vitamins A and C, and it is highly anti-inflammatory. It can help treat burns, acne and dry skin.”
Vaseline is a very good moisturizer for dry skin. Applying a layer of Vaseline to dry skin helps lock in moisture. Vaseline is great for treating all the usual dry areas, such as the: heels.