Dr. Ryan's Mailbag: How Do You Fix Dry Skin Without Buying New Products? Plus More...

Oct 06, 2022
Dr. Ryan's Mailbag: How Do You Fix Dry Skin Without Buying New Products? Plus More...

 

 Hello there! My name is Dr. Ryan Shelton and it’s time for another incredible mailbag Friday! Every Friday I answer two questions from customers just like you who want to know more about the world of skincare, and this week I am super excited about the questions! My first question this Friday comes from Fiona in Chicago, IL.

Q: Hi Dr. Ryan, I’ve been suffering from a bad case of dry skin now that the weather is getting cooler, but I don’t want to spend too much money on any new skincare. Do you have any suggestions for me? 

dry skin on chin

A: Hi Fiona! I definitely do have some suggestions that could help you get your skin back into shape and keep it protected in the colder months, and you can even use these tips if you’re on a budget!

When the seasons start to get colder and there is less moisture in the air, your skin can often pay the price by becoming dry, flaky and even slightly irritated.

While there are some great ways to fix that problem without spending money, I do want to point out that having a hydrating moisturizer is key to making sure your skin is safe from the harsh environment.

You can use whichever moisturizer you already have with these tips so don’t worry - I’ll help you save some cash!

My first tip is a game changer for so many people and it costs absolutely nothing to try!

All you have to do is make sure you apply your moisturizer over slightly damp skin.

That means instead of wiping your face dry after you’re done rinsing off your cleanser, keep a little water on your face.

It might feel odd at first, but applying moisturizer to a slightly damp complexion helps to lock in all that extra moisture and gives your skin an extra hydration boost!

My second tip is to make sure you’re not washing your face with hot water.

Hot water has a habit of drying out your skin, and you don’t want to make your problem any worse than it is!

Instead, try using warm or lukewarm water in your cleansing step. Your skin will thank you for it!

These two tips are great if you don’t want to spend any extra cash on new skincare, and they can help your complexion a whole lot. Try them out and see for yourself!

My next question comes from Daisy in Hamilton, OH.

Q: Hi Dr. Ryan! Now that we’re going into fall and winter, does that mean I still have to wear SPF?

sun spots on cheeks 

A:  Hi Daisy! To answer your question in one word: Absolutely! Let me tell you why it’s still important to wear SPF, regardless of what season it is.

While the sun may feel hotter in summer and it may be easier to get a sunburn than it is in winter, there are hidden rays that can do a lot of damage to your skin without burning it.

These rays are called UVA rays.

UVA rays are well known for causing damage to the skin, and that damage can show itself in many different forms.

For example, they can cause Dark spots…

Wrinkles…

And even skin cancer…

These rays are all around us, 365 days a year - even when it’s cold and rainy and the sky is full of dark clouds!

Protecting your skin from them will not only help to preserve your complexion and keep you looking young for longer, but it can also save you from serious diseases.

So no matter what the sky looks like outside, always wear your SPF!

If that’s not enough to convince you, wearing sun protection each day and using a dark spot corrector underneath can help you fade your dark spots and create a more even complexion.

So you really have nothing to lose by wearing SPF each day - only a lot to gain!