let’s talk
Dry Skin
Flakiness, tightness, rough texture, itchy patches, dullness, redness around nose and mouth.
What Is Dry Skin, Really?
Dry skin is more complex than just dry skin. True dryness happens when your skin can’t hold onto moisture. The outer barrier layer becomes compromised, letting water escape and irritants get in. This shows up as flaking, roughness, or a constant feeling of tightness, especially after showering. This isn’t dehydration (which is a lack of water), and it won’t fix itself with lotion alone. It’s a functional issue that needs repair from within, not just surface coverage.
Dry skin is also not always seasonal. Some people have chronically dry skin due to genetics, environment, or products. While others get it later in life because the skin creates less oil. It can also show up with rosacea or other skin conditions.
Dry Skin
Common Signs & Symptoms
Skin that feels tight after washing
Not just in our crushing Canadian winters. This persists year-round if your cleanser is too harsh or your barrier is damaged.
Flaky patches on cheeks, nose, or forehead
White or silvery scales that won’t go away, even with moisturizer. Often mistaken for dandruff or acne.
Rough texture, especially in certain areas
Skin feels bumpy or sandpapery to the touch, not smooth. Common on the face, arms, legs, and elbows.
Itching that comes and goes
Mild irritation or intense itchiness, sometimes triggered by temperature changes, fabrics, or products.
Dull, lackluster appearance
Dehydrated skin reflects less light. Even if you’re not oily, your complexion can look flat or tired.
Redness or cracks around the nose and mouth
A telltale sign of compromised barrier function, often worsened by over-cleansing or using alcohol-based toners.
What Causes Dry Skin?
It’s not just about skipping moisturizer. True dryness has deeper roots. The main causes we see:
Low humidity
Cold air in winter and air conditioning in summer pull moisture from the skin.
Over-washing or harsh cleansers
Foaming washes, scrubs, and high-alcohol products strip natural oils and damage the lipid barrier.
Age-related oil decline
As we age, sebaceous glands produce less sebum, making skin more prone to dryness.
Medical conditions
Eczema, psoriasis, and thyroid issues often present with dry skin as a primary symptom.
Medications
Retinoids, acne treatments, antihistamines, and some blood pressure drugs reduce skin hydration.
Hot showers and long baths
Heat breaks down lipids and speeds up transepidermal water loss.
Indoor heating and fans
Constant airflow dries out the skin, especially overnight.
How to Treat Dry Skin
Moisturizers can help with dry skin, but they don’t fix the problem if your skin can’t hold onto water. To truly improve dry skin, you need treatments that deliver hydration deep into the layers where it’s been lost and support your skin’s ability to keep it there.
Skin Hydration Boosters
Skin boosters are injectable hydrators made with stabilized hyaluronic acid that infuse moisture directly into the skin layers. The product is delivered in a series of tiny injections across the face, neck, or hands that create hydration that lasts months.
Medical-Grade Hydrating Facials
We use clinical techniques and active ingredients to repair the barrier and lock in moisture. For mild to moderate dryness, professional facials every 4-6 weeks make a visible difference in dry skin.
Dry Skin Prevention Tips
- Use a cream-based, non-foaming cleanser – avoid sulfates and alcohol
- Limit showers to 5–10 minutes with lukewarm water.
- Apply moisturizer within 30 seconds of washing while skin is still damp
- Use a humidifier at night, especially in winter or dry climates.
- Wear SPF daily – UV damages the barrier and increases water loss.
- Avoid wool or synthetic fabrics as they can cause micro-irritation.
- Drink water consistently – Internal hydration supports external resilience.
Your Questions Answered:
Dry Skin FAQ
Q: How to know if dry skin is serious?
Most dry skin is just annoying, but if you notice cracking, bleeding, severe itchiness, or pain that doesn’t improve with basic care, it’s time to pay attention.
Q: What should I avoid if I have dry skin?
Skip harsh soaps, strong fragrances, and super-hot showers, they strip away natural oils. Alcohol-heavy toners, rough scrubs, and long soaks in chlorinated pools can also make dryness worse. Gentle cleansers and lukewarm water are your best friends.
Q: Can dry skin go away?
Yes, depending on the cause. Dryness from cold weather, hot showers, or a new product often improves once you tweak your routine and add moisture back. If it’s tied to a skin condition or health issue, you might need ongoing care to keep it under control.
Q: Is dry skin the same as dehydrated skin?
Not quite. Dry skin is a skin type, it naturally produces less oil. Dehydrated skin is a temporary state where your skin is lacking water, even if it’s oily. You can have both at once, but they’re treated a little differently.
Q: Why do I have dry patches only in certain areas?
Some spots just lose moisture faster. Areas like cheeks, elbows, or around the nose have different oil levels or are exposed to more friction and weather. Products, allergies, or skin conditions like eczema can also cause patchy dryness instead of an all-over feel.
Q: Why does dry skin burn when moisturized?
If your skin barrier is cracked or inflamed, even a gentle product can sting as it soaks in. Fragrances or strong ingredients like acids can make it worse. Lighter, bland, fragrance-free moisturizer are usually gentler on the skin, but can still burn.
The Reforme Touch
Radiant Body and Skin
All of our treatments are designed with intention: To enhance, not overpower. Whether it's your skin, facial structure, or body, we focus on creating balance and restoring what’s been lost over time. Results are soft, subtle, and completely tailored to you. You’ll leave feeling lighter, fresher, and more like yourself, not someone else.
Licensed Professionals
Medically trained team led by Clinical Educators, Registered Nurse Injectors and Skin Specialists. With a deep foundation in anatomy, safety, and precision, we specialize in advanced cosmetic injectables and non-surgical facial rejuvenation. Offering the most innovative techniques and evidence-based treatments the industry has to offer.
Safe and Tested
Reforme Lab provides Health Canada–approved, medical-grade cosmetic treatments in Toronto and Mississauga. Our team follows the highest clinical standards and adheres strictly to regulatory guidelines set by the College of Nurses and Medical Boards. We specialize in trusted injectables - including Botox®, hyaluronic acid dermal fillers, and advanced non-surgical solutions - using only the highest quality, evidence-based products to ensure safe, clinically proven outcomes.
Clean and Comfortable Facility
Medical-grade cleanliness is our baseline. Every space is sanitized, organized, and held to strict clinical standards. But we’ve also designed our clinics to feel calm and inviting, not sterile. Treatment rooms are private, quiet, and thoughtfully styled. It’s a space where you can fully relax, without ever questioning the quality of care. Clean where it matters, and cozy where it counts.
Our Locations
Toronto Location
164 Davenport Road,
Toronto, ON, M5R 1J2
Mississauga Location
1 Main Street, Mississauga
Ontario, L5M 1X4