Cracked skin on your face is a sign that you need to change your habits.

Cracked, dry, and flaky facial skin is a common problem for people with dry and sensitive skin. A damaged skin barrier is unable to retain moisture, resulting in uncomfortable symptoms like roughness, tightness, peeling, and redness.

In foreign markets, the term " Product elimination diet " is used, which means that the person stops using certain skin care products to avoid further skin irritation.

Dermatological advice points out that dry skin occurs when "the skin's hydrolipid barrier is disrupted by external factors" such as cold, dry air or harsh cosmetics.

It is important to understand the causes and take proper care of your skin to prevent symptoms from worsening.

Causes of cracked and flaky facial skin

• Dry and cracked skin is usually caused by a combination of external and internal factors:

• Exposure to cold, wind or indoor heating causes the skin to lose moisture. In winter, the air is generally drier, and central heating further dries out the environment, causing the skin to lose water and natural lipids.

• A lack of natural lipids in the stratum corneum (such as ceramides and fatty acids) weakens the barrier and increases water evaporation. When the barrier weakens, the skin cannot retain moisture, leading to cracked and rough surfaces.

• Frequent rough exfoliation, strong soaps, detergents, and hot showers easily dry out the skin. The use of aggressive anti-allergic or anti-inflammatory agents can also dry out the face. Dermatologists advise avoiding prolonged washing or showering with hot water, as this removes the natural oils that protect the skin.

• Insufficient water intake from the inside (dehydration of the body) worsens the symptoms. Without adequate fluid intake, the skin loses moisture more quickly and "sags" towards the outer layer.

• Hormonal changes (e.g. menopause) or chronic diseases (such as diabetes) can affect skin moisture, but most often the key factor is a combination of a damaged barrier and adverse external influences.

Dermatologists note that dry skin is more sensitive to mechanical and climatic influences - ice, wind, hot water, and strong detergents that quickly irritate it.

That's why understanding and eliminating the cause is key to restoring healthy skin.

Symptoms of cracked and flaky facial skin

Dry facial skin is usually rough, tight, and prone to peeling or cracking. If you experience tightness, burning, or itching, these are typical signs of dehydrated skin.

Small flakes or small cracks are often visible on the surface of the skin. Dermatologists point out that dry skin is often itchy and can become red due to the small appearance of inflammation.

If inflammation or rashes also occur, it is necessary to visit a dermatologist as this may indicate a deterioration of the barrier or a skin disease such as atopy.

In fact, cracked and flaky facial skin requires more intensive care to restore the skin's natural moisture and elasticity.

How to restore damaged skin?

Proper care for dry and sensitive facial skin

Proper care for dry facial skin includes gentle and rich products and habits that strengthen the barrier. Here's how to restore damaged skin:

Use lukewarm water and gentle detergents without harsh surfactants. Avoid soaps that can strip the skin of its natural oils. L'ADRIA Nourishing Cleanser is an example of a creamy gel that gently removes impurities while nourishing the skin without drying it out.

• Apply a generous layer of cream immediately after cleansing. Don't skip the moisturizing layer! As L'ADRIA advises, every shower or bath should end with a layer of nourishing cream that "locks" moisture into the skin. Serums with hyaluronic acid or other humectants are also recommended for additional hydration of the deep layers. For example, Instant Revitalizing Serum contains several types of hyaluronic acid and algae for an instant, intense moisturizing effect.

• Include products that replenish lipids and soothe the skin in your daily routine. Products with panthenol, ceramides, and plant oils can reduce irritation and strengthen the barrier. For example, Rejuvenating Oil with squalane nourishes the hydrolipidic layer overnight.

• Use a humidifier in the rooms you stay in, especially in the winter. Avoid exposure to extreme temperatures and dry air. Also, lightly pat your face with a towel after washing instead of rubbing it, which will help retain more moisture on your skin.

• Drink plenty of fluids - water hydrates the skin from the inside out. Eat foods rich in antioxidants and healthy fats (nuts, olive oil, fish with omega-3 fatty acids) to support skin renewal from the inside out.

The combination of these steps - gentle cleansing, rich hydration, and barrier protection - is key to repairing cracked skin.

Experts also recommend wearing sunscreen daily on days when you are outdoors to further prevent drying from UV rays and external influences.

Key ingredients in dry skin care

The following ingredients are proven to help restore and hydrate dry, cracked skin:

Hyaluronic acid

A powerful moisturizer that attracts and retains water. Thanks to its structure, it can bind up to 1000 times its own weight in water. This makes the skin firmer and more hydrated from the inside. That's why serums and creams with hyaluronic acid are a must-have step in the care of dry skin.

Squalane

A plant-based emollient similar to skin lipids. Squalane penetrates deeply and is easily absorbed without a greasy residue, restoring the hydrolipidic film. It softens the skin, stabilizes the barrier and helps the skin retain moisture. Since the amount of squalane in the skin decreases with age, topical application of squalane replaces this loss and prevents dryness.

These ingredients are the foundation of targeted care for dehydrated skin. Products containing them should be part of the daily routine of sensitive, dry skin.

Recommended L'ADRIA products for cracked facial skin

L'ADRIA offers a line of SEAcrets products specially formulated for dry, damaged skin. The following products can help with regeneration and hydration:

Creamy gel (for gentle facial cleansing)

A creamy gel for dry to normal skin that nourishes while cleansing. Contains sea lavender extract and olive squalane - a combination that helps skin retain moisture.

It is exceptionally mild: it does not dry out the skin like regular soaps, but leaves it soft and nourished. This is the ideal first step in evening facial cleansing.

Instant Revitalizing Serum

Ultra-hydrating serum for revitalizing all skin types. Rich in Adriatic algae extracts and marine collagen, which protect the skin from drying out in the salty sea environment. Contains high and low molecular weight hyaluronic acid for deeper hydration.

The result is a "pumping" of fine lines and a visible reduction in the flaking typical of dehydrated skin. The serum deeply penetrates and restores moisture, giving the skin instant softness and vitality.

Regenerative Cream

An unscented, regenerating cream that is a central part of dry skin care, and is also used as a facial peeling cream or anti-dandruff cream. Contains algae, marine collagen, betaine and hyaluronic acid for long-lasting hydration.

The formula also contains allantoin, carnosine and shea butter, which stimulate regeneration, soothe redness and restore the lipid barrier.

This rich cream strengthens skin elasticity, soothes sensitive skin and protects against further drying. It is intended for daily use - morning and evening - for optimal restoration of dry skin.

Rejuvenating oil

A regenerating night oil based on squalane and bakuchiol. Deeply nourishes and repairs the skin while you sleep. Squalane protects the barrier and retains moisture, while bakuchiol (a plant-based alternative to retinol) soothes the skin and helps reduce wrinkles without irritation. The blend of these ingredients makes the skin softer and smoother.

L'ADRIA recommends this oil as the last step of evening care - just a few drops further enhance regeneration overnight.

With the right combination of these products, you can achieve intense hydration and skin barrier restoration, which is key to reducing cracking and peeling.

Daily facial routine

For chapped skin, we recommend:

Morning skin care routine

Wash your face with lukewarm water. If necessary, use the creamy cleansing gel only if your face is extremely dirty or you have makeup on, otherwise refreshing with water is enough.

Then apply the Instant Revitalization Serum by lightly patting it onto your face.

While your skin is still damp, follow up with the rich Regenerative Cream to "lock in" hydration.

Finally, apply SPF cream if you are going outside (SPF is important in winter due to UV rays, which further damage the skin).

This way, your skin will remain supple and hydrated throughout the day.

Evening skin care routine

Remove makeup and gently wash your face ( Creamy Gentle Cleansing Gel ). According to L'ADRIA's instructions, immediately after cleansing, apply the Regenerative Cream - soothing renewal and hydration are key steps.

You can use a special cream for the area around the eyes.

As a final step, apply a thin layer of Bakuchiol Rejuvenating Oil - this will use the nighttime to deeply renew the skin.

Occasionally (e.g. once or twice a week) you can do a gentle exfoliation - but it is important that it is gentle (lactic or fruit acid) to remove dead cells without further damaging the barrier.

Tips and common mistakes

To prevent worsening dry and cracked skin, avoid the most common mistakes:

• Long, hot baths or showers and harsh soaps unnecessarily strip the skin of its natural protection. Avoid harsh cleansers and hot water as this quickly damages the barrier and dries out the skin. Instead, use lukewarm water and products with a pH adjusted for dry skin.

• Never leave your skin “naked” for too long after washing – apply cream immediately after cleansing. L'ADRIA emphasizes that renewal and hydration are only achieved with regular use – skipping cream leads to deeper dryness.

• Don't rub your face too hard with a towel. Patting (light patting rather than rubbing) helps keep moisture on the skin's surface. Also, don't scratch or pick at your skin - this can create microcracks and infections.

• Avoid prolonged exposure to extreme cold or heat. Warm environments (e.g., an overheated room) and dry air make dryness worse. Use a humidifier in the winter and ventilate your rooms in the summer.

• Overuse of acid peels or harsh anti-aging products can irritate dry skin. Choose gentle formulas tailored for dry and sensitive skin, which do not contain alcohol or perfume.

By following these guidelines and a proper care routine, you can prevent further damage to your skin and encourage its natural regeneration.

Conclusion

Cracked and flaky facial skin requires a holistic approach - eliminating the cause (aggressive factors and dehydration), constant care with rich moisturizing products, and using ingredients that restore the barrier.

With these dermatologically supported steps and appropriate L'ADRIA products, you can significantly improve the condition of your skin and restore its softness and radiance.