How to Prevent Dry Face When Going Bare-Faced?
During bare-face recovery, skin is prone to dryness, especially in dry seasons. Learn scientific moisturizing methods to effectively alleviate skin dryness without using skincare products.

Written by skin_diary
How to Prevent Dry Face When Going Bare-Faced?
"Bare-face" refers to not using any skincare products, allowing the skin to remain in a natural state. However, skin tends to dry out easily when going bare-faced, especially in dry seasons or environments. This article will provide some effective suggestions to help you prevent facial dryness when going bare-faced.
1. Understanding the Causes of Skin Dryness
🌬️ Environmental Factors
Dry climate, air-conditioned environments, etc. can all cause skin moisture loss.
🚿 Damaged Skin Barrier
Over-cleansing, using irritating products, etc. can damage the skin barrier, leading to moisture loss.
⏰ Internal Factors
As we age, the skin's natural moisturizing ability decreases.
2. Moisturizing Strategies for Bare-Face Period
💨 Maintain Environmental Humidity
Use a humidifier to maintain indoor humidity between 40%-60%.
Why is it effective?
- Increasing environmental humidity can reduce the rate of skin moisture evaporation
- Humid air can provide an external moisture source for the skin
- Particularly suitable for dry areas in the north or rooms with heating
Practical tips:
- Place water basins or wet towels in the room
- Ultrasonic humidifiers are more effective
- Regularly clean the humidifier to prevent bacterial growth
🌡️ Gentle Cleansing
Use gentle facial cleansers, avoiding soap-based or highly alkaline cleansers.
Cleansing principles:
- Water temperature should not exceed 37°C, closest to body temperature is best
- Control face washing time to within 30 seconds
- Avoid vigorous rubbing, gentle massage is sufficient
- After washing, pat dry with a towel, do not rub
🚰 Timely Rehydration
Immediately moisturize after cleansing to lock in moisture.
Golden time:
- The first 3 minutes after washing your face is the golden time for moisturizing
- At this time, the stratum corneum has the highest water content
- Immediate moisturizing can effectively lock in moisture
🧴 Choosing the Right Moisturizing Method
During the bare-face period, we need to choose the safest and gentlest moisturizing methods:
🥛 Pure Glycerin Moisturizing Method
Glycerin is a natural skin component with extremely high safety.
Usage method:
- Drop 1-3 drops of pure glycerin in the palm
- Spray some purified water or mineral water mist
- Mix evenly and pat gently onto the face
- If still feeling dry, spray water again
Precautions:
- Must use pure glycerin, without other additives
- Glycerin concentration should not exceed 10%
- More effective when used in a humid state
🧈 Petroleum Jelly Occlusive Moisturizing Method
Petroleum jelly is the safest occlusive moisturizer.
Usage method:
- Ensure the face is slightly moist
- Take a small amount of petroleum jelly (size of a grain of rice)
- Apply evenly to dry areas
- Avoid sensitive areas around the eyes
Advantages:
- 100% pure, non-irritating
- Forms a protective film to prevent moisture loss
- Inexpensive and easily available
💧 Internal Hydration
Drink plenty of water and eat foods rich in vitamins and minerals, such as fruits and vegetables.
Hydration timing:
- Drink a glass of warm water immediately after waking up
- Maintain daily water intake above 2000ml
- Sip frequently, avoid drinking large amounts at once
Beneficial foods:
- Fruits rich in vitamin C: oranges, kiwi
- Nuts rich in vitamin E: almonds, walnuts
- Vegetables with high water content: cucumber, tomatoes
🌞 Avoid Irritating Factors
Avoid prolonged exposure to dry, cold environments and reduce UV exposure.
Environmental protection:
- Use physical protection like hats and scarves
- Avoid direct exposure to air conditioning vents
- Reduce going out on windy days
3. Daily Care Recommendations
🧽 Regular Exfoliation (Use with Caution)
During bare-face recovery, exfoliation is generally not recommended. However, if the stratum corneum is indeed too thick and affects moisturizing effects, a minimal amount of gentle methods can be used.
Precautions:
- Only consider after skin is completely stable
- Choose the gentlest chemical exfoliation
- Control frequency to no more than once per month
- Strengthen moisturizing after exfoliation
🛁 Avoid Hot Water for Face Washing
Use warm water to wash your face, avoiding hot water that causes skin moisture evaporation.
Water temperature control:
- Optimal water temperature: 32-37°C
- Testing method: Feel the temperature with the inside of your wrist
- Avoid using alternating hot and cold water for face washing
😴 Maintain Good Lifestyle Habits
Ensure adequate sleep, avoid staying up late, and reduce stress.
Skin repair time:
- 11 PM to 3 AM is the golden period for skin repair
- Insufficient sleep affects skin barrier function
- Stress accelerates skin moisture loss
🏃♂️ Moderate Exercise
Moderate exercise can promote blood circulation and benefit skin health.
Recommended exercises:
- Yoga: Promotes blood circulation and stress relief
- Swimming: Exercise in a humid environment
- Walking: Gentle aerobic exercise
4. Special Situation Handling
❄️ Winter Dryness Management
Winter is the season when skin is most prone to dryness and requires special attention:
Indoor environment adjustment:
- Room humidity with heating is usually only 20-30%, far below comfortable humidity
- Use a humidifier to increase humidity to 45-60%
- Place wet towels on radiators to increase humidity
Outdoor protection:
- Wear a mask to protect facial skin
- Use a scarf to block wind and sand
- Reduce outdoor exposure time
🌞 Air-Conditioned Room Moisturizing
For people who work in air-conditioned rooms for long periods:
Office moisturizing:
- Place a small humidifier on the desk
- Regularly mist the face with a spray
- Drink more warm water to supplement internal moisture
🤧 Cold Season Care
When you have a cold, skin resistance decreases and it's more prone to dryness:
Special care:
- Increase indoor humidity to over 60%
- Reduce face washing frequency
- Get more rest and avoid overexertion
5. Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Q: Can I use face masks during bare-face period?
A: Not recommended. Ingredients in face masks may irritate skin that is in the process of recovery, and frequent use of face masks can cause excessive hydration of the stratum corneum.
❓ Q: Will glycerin make skin increasingly dry?
A: Correct usage will not. Glycerin needs to be used in a humid environment. If used alone in a very dry environment with large amounts, it may indeed absorb the skin's own moisture.
❓ Q: Will petroleum jelly clog pores?
A: Pure petroleum jelly will not clog pores. Petroleum jelly molecules are large and do not penetrate into pores, only forming a protective film on the skin surface.
❓ Q: How long after going bare-face can I resume normal use of skincare products?
A: Usually 2-3 months. The specific time varies according to individual skin condition, and should be based on the absence of sensitive symptoms.
6. Moisturizing Effect Evaluation
📊 Self-Evaluation Indicators
Subjective feelings:
- Whether the tight feeling has reduced
- Whether itching has improved
- Whether stinging sensation has disappeared
Objective observation:
- Whether flaking has reduced
- Whether the skin surface is smoother
- Whether fine lines have improved
Time node evaluation:
- 1 week: Relief of acute dryness symptoms
- 2 weeks: Skin adapts to bare-face state
- 1 month: Significant improvement in moisturizing ability
Conclusion
Preventing facial dryness when going bare-faced requires comprehensive consideration from environment, cleansing, moisturizing, diet and other aspects. Through scientific care methods, even in a bare-face state, you can maintain skin moisture and health.
Key points:
- Environmental humidity is more important than products
- Glycerin and petroleum jelly are the safest choices
- Gentle cleansing is better than strong moisturizing
- Both internal and external approaches are needed for long-term moisturizing
Remember, dryness during the bare-face period is often temporary, and skin needs time to adapt to a state without skincare products. By persisting with the correct methods, your skin will definitely regain its natural moisturizing ability!