Heal Your Skin
If you suffer from dry, flaky skin that seems impossible to manage, you’re not alone. Many people grapple with keeping their dry skin healthy, hydrated, and comfortable. The good news is that with the right skin care routine, you can dramatically improve the look and feel of dry skin. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the ultimate daily skin care routine for dry skin, step-by-step.
Understanding the Causes of Dry Skin
Before diving into the ideal skin care routine for dry skin, it’s helpful to understand what causes dry skin in the first place. This will allow you to both treat the symptoms and address the root causes for healthy, hydrated skin that lasts. Some of the key contributors to dry skin include:
Environmental Factors
Elements like cold, dry air, harsh winds, and low humidity outdoors combined with hot showers, harsh soaps, and artificial environments indoors can suck the moisture right out of your skin. These environmental triggers cause the protective outer layer of skin to lose water content, leading to dryness, flaking, cracking, irritation, itchiness, and redness.
Genetics
Some people are simply prone to dry skin genetically. You may have inherited traits like smaller oil glands that don’t produce enough of the natural oils that help skin retain moisture. A compromised skin barrier that loses water also contributes.
Medications
Certain medications like acne treatments, antihistamines, antidepressants, blood pressure medications, and more contain ingredients that cause dry skin as a side effect. Always check with your pharmacist or doctor if your skin becomes excessively dry after beginning a new medication.
Health Conditions
Medical conditions like eczema, psoriasis, diabetes, hypothyroidism, and malnutrition cause chronic dry skin in many individuals. Treating the underlying condition is key while also caring for the dryness.
Age
As we get older, our skin naturally makes less oil and becomes drier. Senior skin needs extra moisture and care.
Season and Climate
Dry skin often worsens during colder months when central heating systems blast dry air. Additionally, skin can become very dry in arid, desert environments.
Frequent Bathing
Bathing too often, especially with hot water, strips away the skin’s oily, protective barriers and depletes moisture reserves.
Now that you know what causes dry, lackluster skin, let’s explore the top products and proper techniques for bringing your dry skin back to life.
The Ultimate Daily Skin Care Routine for Dryness
Caring for your dry skin doesn’t need to be complicated, but it does require diligence. Here is a complete step-by-step routine covering the vital components your dry skin needs both morning and evening.
Daily Regimen for Dry Facial Skin
Morning Skin Care Routine for Dry Facial Skin
Starting your day off right establishes a solid foundation for healthy skin.
1. Cleanse with a Hydrating Wash
The first step is to gently cleanse your dry skin without stripping away natural oils. Using your fingertips, massage a hydrating, non-foaming cleanser onto damp skin for 30 seconds before rinsing thoroughly with lukewarm water.
Look for hydrating cleansers containing ingredients like:
- Ceramides – Skin-identical lipids that reinforce the moisture barrier
- Hyaluronic Acid – A moisture magnet that holds 1,000 times its weight in water
- Glycerin – A humectant that draws moisture from the environment into skin
- Jojoba Beads – Tiny spheres that melt to hydrate when activated by water
Some top-rated hydrating cleansers include:
- CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser
- Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser
- Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Cleansing Gel
2. Apply an Antioxidant Serum
After cleansing, pat your skin dry and apply an antioxidant serum packed with replenishing ingredients. Stimulate circulation with some gentle facial massage as you distribute the serum evenly across your face.
Antioxidant serums help counter the damage from free radicals and environmental assault. They also deliver a surge of hydration and nutrition to needy dry skin.
Look for antioxidant serums containing powerhouse ingredients like:
- Vitamin C – Brightens dullness and protects skin
- Vitamin E – Improves moisture retention
- Resveratrol – Derived from red grapes to protect skin
- Niacinamide – Repairs the moisture barrier
Some of the top antioxidant serums for dry skin include:
- SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic
- Paula’s Choice RESIST Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum
- First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair® Face Moisturizer
- The Ordinary “Buffet”
3. Mist with a Hydrating Toner
After applying your serum, give your face a boost of hydration with a misting of hydrating toner. Hydrating toners provide a surge of soothing, skin-plumping ingredients without residue or greasiness.
Look for these essential ingredients in a hydrating toner:
- Hyaluronic acid to bind moisture to the skin
- Aloe vera to calm and soothe dryness
- Witch hazel to reduce inflammation
Some beloved hydrating toners for dry skin include:
- Heritage Store Rosewater & Glycerin Hydrating Facial Toner
- Klairs Supple Preparation Unscented Toner
- Paula’s Choice RESIST Weightless Advanced Repairing Toner
Aim for hydrated skin, not soaked skin. A light mist is perfect. Avoid rubbing or wiping the toner off for maximum moisture benefits.
4. Seal it In With Face Oil
With cleansed, treated skin prepped for moisture, lock everything in with a nurturing face oil. Face oils provide the lipid barrier that dry skin desperately needs. Rather than an oily mess, they absorb beautifully to hydrate, soothe and protect.
Key ingredients to seek out in cosmetic face oils:
- Jojoba Oil – Mimics skin’s natural oil
- Rosehip Oil – Regenerative and healing
- Marula Oil – High in antioxidants
- Argan Oil – Extremely hydrating
A few star face oil picks include:
- Biossance 100% Squalane Oil
- Sunday Riley Juno Hydroactive Cellular Face Oil
- FARSÁLI Rose Gold Elixir
Take your time working a few drops into your skin until thoroughly absorbed. Oils prevent water loss while allowing your skin to breathe.
5. Moisturize AM and PM
The final step to complete both your morning and evening skincare routines for dry skin is moisturizer application. Look for rich, emollient moisturizers that hydrate without heaviness.
Key ingredients for dry skin moisturizers include:
- Ceramides to repair the moisture barrier
- Peptides to reinforce hydration
- Shea butter to deeply moisturize
- Glycerin to pull moisture into the skin
- Hyaluronic acid to retain moisture
Beloved moisturizers to combat dryness include:
- CeraVe Moisturizing Cream
- First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream
- Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion
- Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream
Using clean fingertips, gently massage your moisturizer evenly all over your face including your neck. For very dry skin, you may layer a heavier night cream over your lighter facial moisturizer before bedtime.
Evening Skin Care Routine for Dry Facial Skin
In addition to religious moisturizer application AM and PM, your evening routine requires a few additional steps to remove the day’s grime, resurface fresh skin, and intensively nourish your complexion while you sleep.
1. Remove Makeup
If wearing makeup, start your evening routine by removing all traces of cosmetics with a dedicated makeup remover. Avoid harsh rubbing and pull gently downward to prevent stretching delicate skin.
Seeking out makeup removers designed for dryness helps avoid over-stripping the skin’s natural moisture barrier.
Key ingredients for dryness-friendly makeup removers include:
- Soothing oils like mineral oil
- Nourishing butters like shea and cocoa butter
- Ceramides to reinforce the moisture barrier
Top makeup remover picks for dry skin:
- Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm
- Neutrogena Naturals Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelettes
- Garnier SkinActive Micellar Makeup Remover Wipes
2. Double Cleanse
After removing all makeup, cleanse your skin again as a second step to lift away any remaining dirt, oil and debris that could clog pores and lead to more dryness. This “double cleansing” method helps thoroughly clean without over-drying when using gentle cleansers.
Use any of the previously mentioned top rated cleansers for dry skin as your second step cleanser in the evening. Gently massage into dry skin for 30 seconds avoiding rubbing before rinsing clean.
**3. Exfoliate Strategically **
As dead cells build up, they give skin a dry, dull appearance that accentuates lines and flakes. Once or twice weekly, incorporate a hydrating exfoliant into your evening routine. Avoid harsh scrubs and instead look for polyhydroxy acids (PHAs) like gluconolactone and lactobionic acid or enzymatic exfoliators with fruit enzymes like papaya and bromelain.
Top rated exfoliators for chronically dry skin include:
- Paula’s Choice Skin Recovery Softening Cream Cleanser
- Olay Luminous Overnight Mask
- REN Clean Skincare Ready Steady Glow AHA Tonic
4. Spot Treat
If battling breakouts, blocked pores, dark spots or redness in addition to dryness, strategically treat targeted areas after cleansing and before moisturizing. Avoid abrasives, acids and alcohol which can worsen flakiness.
Seeking out spot treatments enriched with hydrators like hyaluronic acid or aloe vera allows you to combat issues without stripping moisture.
Effective spot treatments for dry yet troubled skin:
- La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo Dual Acne Treatment
- Neutrogena Rapid Clear Stubborn Acne Daily Leave-On Face Mask
- Herbivore Botanicals Emerald Deep Moisture Glow Oil
5. Apply Serum
Administer your preferred antioxidant serum packed with replenishing ingredients before moisturizer. Serums absorb deeper to better target hydration where your dry skin needs it most.
Excellent hydrating serums for dry skin include:
- SkinCeuticals Hyaluronic Acid Intensifier
- The Inkey List Hyaluronic Acid Serum
- First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair® Hydrating Serum
6. Layer a Rich Night Cream
Slather on a thick, creamy night cream before bed to intensely nourish your skin. Like charging batteries, night creams infuse skin with nourishment while you sleep to combat signs of aging accelerated by dryness. Dry skin drinks in their emolliency.
Thick, indulgent night creams include:
- Augustinus Bader The Rich Cream
- Dr. Barbara Sturm Face Cream
- Drunk Elephant Lala Retro Whipped Cream
- Tatcha The Dewy Skin Night Concentrate
Do not rinse or wipe off in the morning. Let your skin reap the lasting benefits!
Daily Regimen for Dry Body Skin
Just as your facial skin can become dry, so too can the skin all over your body. Give your body some extra attention with this head-to-toe routine.
1. Cleanse Gently
Shower in lukewarm water for 5-10 minutes max to prevent stripping skin’s natural oils. Use gentle cleansers without sulfates or soap and fragrances which can irritate dryness.
Nourishing body washes:
2. Exfoliate
Twice weekly, use an exfoliating washcloth or scrub to slough off dead skin cells. Focus on notoriously rough areas like feet, elbows and knees that particularly plagued dry skin types.
Hydrating body scrubs:
- Soap & Glory Flake Away Body Polish
- The Body Shop Cocoa Butter Body Scrub
- Josie Maran Argan Sugar Balm Body Scrub
Rinse thoroughly after exfoliating to remove all traces which could otherwise irritate delicate dry skin.
3. Shave Strategically
Give skin extra moisture before shaving and avoid repetitive swipes over the same area to prevent razor burn. Always moisturize after to soothe skin and seal in hydration.
4. Moisturize Liberally AM and PM
Apply body lotion or cream within a few minutes of showering for best absorption. Opt for rich occlusive formulas that alleviate tightness and itchiness. After towel drying skin, massage moisturizer all over paying extra attention to the driest areas like heels, elbows and knees.
Ultra-hydrating body lotions:
- Eucerin Intensive Repair Very Dry Skin Lotion
- Aveeno Restore Intensive Skin Treatment
- CeraVe Moisturizing Cream
- Vaseline Intensive Care Advanced Repair Body Lotion
Reapply body lotion as needed throughout the day. Treat extra parched patches like cuticles and lips as well.
5. Exfoliate Lips
Once weekly, slough off dead, flaky skin cells by applying a lip scrub for soft supple lips. Follow by locking in moisture with a thick lip balm or mask.
Gentle lip exfoliators:
Ultra-hydrating lip treatments:
Daily exfoliation and lip treatment transforms even the driest, flakiest lips.
Supplement Your Routine With Lifestyle Tweaks
While using the right skin care products is paramount, making a few key lifestyle adjustments can profoundly improve your dry skin as well.
Hydrate From the Inside Out
Drink at least eight 8-oz glasses of water daily to nourish skin cells and maximize moisture content. Infuse your water with lemon, fruit or cucumbers for added skin benefits.
Load Up On Healthy Fats
Incorporate more healthy fats from plant and fish sources which help reinforce the lipid moisture barrier. Avocados, olive oil, salmon and nuts do wonders for dry skin.
Eat More Vitamin E Rich Foods
Vitamin E mops up damaging free radicals while allowing skin cells to retain more moisture. Get your fill from nuts, seeds, spinach and broccoli.
Use Humidifiers
Run humidifiers during dry seasons to saturate indoor air with moisture to prevent water loss from skin.
Take Shorter Showers
Limit showers to 5 minutes max in lukewarm water to avoid stripping skin’s natural oils.
Choose Gentler Cleansers
Skip foaming cleansers and abrasive scrubs in favor of soap-free creamy cleansers that cleanse without over-drying.
Always Moisturize Damp Skin
Apply moisturizer to moist skin for enhanced absorption rather than rubbing it in completely dry.
Examine Your Wardrobe
Wear breathable natural fabrics whenever possible and choose loose clothing that doesn’t rub up against your skin.
Use Laundry Detergent for Sensitive Skin
Harsh detergents can irritate dryness. Opt for a fragrance-free sensitive skin formula.
Avoid Harsh Ingredients
Steer clear of products with excess alcohol, acids, retinol, benzoyl peroxide or fragrances which can worsen dryness. Read ingredient labels and warnings.
Beware Medication Side Effects
Talk to your pharmacist or doctor about dryness or itching after starting any new medications. Adjustments or supplementary treatments may provide relief without needing to discontinue your important medications.
Tweaking a few daily habits goes hand-in-hand with using the right moisturizing regimen for combating dry skin complaints once and for all whatever the season or climate.
When to Seek Professional Help for Extreme Dryness
While most cases of dry skin can be self-managed at home with diligent skincare and lifestyle adjustments, more severe symptoms may require professional treatment. See your dermatologist right away if your dry skin:
- Cracks, bleeds or oozes
- Becomes infected
- Spreads or worsens rapidly
- Causes swelling or intense itching/pain
- Persists despite aggressive at-home treatment
Signs of skin infection requiring urgent care include:
- Pus
- Expanding redness
- Warm to the touch
- Fever
A dermatologist has additional prescription-strength tools to treat troublesome dry skin and can get to the root cause with specialty testing if necessary.
Severe dry skin complications requiring medical intervention include:
Eczema
Eczema appears as angry red, extremely itchy rashes. Flare-ups may weep fluid and require antibiotic creams or oral medication.
Psoriasis
Thick, scaly silver plaques characterize psoriasis. The chronic autoimmune condition necessitates customized treatment plans.
Ichthyosis
Ichthyosis refers to a family of rare genetic disorders causing excessive dry scale-like skin with bigger flakes that accumulate rapidly.
During pregnancy, underlying illnesses like diabetes or thyroid disorders can also cause suddenly severe dry skin requiring immediate attention to protect maternal and infant health.
Don’t suffer endlessly with extraordinarily bothersome dry skin without seeking professional guidance. A dermatologist can help halt the symptoms and address the root cause.
Shopping Guide for the Best Dry Skin Products
Stocking your shelves with the most effective dry skin saviors can seem overwhelming. Here is a breakdown of exactly what to look for when comparing products.
Cleansers
- Hydrating, not foaming
- Free of sulfates and soap
- Enriched with skin-identical lipids like ceramides -Contains humectants like glycerin
Exfoliants
- Polyhydroxy acids like gluconolactone
- Fruit enzymes
- Hydrating base formula
- No abrasive beads
Toners & Mists
- Hyaluronic acid
- Soothing botanical ingredients
- Lightweight aqueous formulas
- No alcohol
Face Oils
- Plant-derived instead of mineral oil
- Jojoba, rosehip or marula
- High linoleic acid content
- Cold-pressed processing
Serums
- Ceramides
- Hyaluronic acid
- Peptides
- Antioxidants like niacinamide and vitamin C
Moisturizers
- Rich, creamy bases
- Ceramides
- Plant butters like shea and cocoa butter
- Glycerin, glycols, squalane or hyaluronic acid
When comparing products, thoroughly read ingredient labels seeking out research-backed ingredients your skin urgently needs while avoiding common irritants and unnecessary additives.
Invest in rich moisturizers and facial oils formulated specifically for dryness relief. Match skin care routines to the current season and climate, adjusting as humidity levels shift throughout the year.
With consistent nurturing care, dry flaky skin doesn’t stand a chance!