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The Best Skincare Routine for Dry Skin
Dry skin is more than just looking a little dull, although that can be a symptom. It can cause you to break out more easily because of the lack of hydration within your skin barrier, can be a precursor for complicated contact dermatitis, and can leave you prone to photosensitivity and sun damage.
So, girls with dry skin, it’s our time to shine! If you’ve had difficulty with dull, dry skin, or only see products geared towards our oily-skinned sisters, then don’t worry. We’re here to give you all the best products to use, when to use them, and how!
How do I treat dry skin daily?
A skincare routine for dry skin shouldn’t have to be as complicated as it sounds! With the right blend of hydrating products, you’ll be well on your way to a plump and dewy complexion and forget all about your dry skin problems in the first place. Before we get started on the perfect skincare routine for you, here are a few tips to keep in mind!
Pack hydration in all products you use
There are certain ingredients agreed upon to be ideal for dry skin, and they include hyaluronic acid, ceramides, colloidal oatmeal, green tea, and even mild exfoliants such as AHAs, namely, lactic acid, mandelic acid, and glycolic acid. These different ingredients serve as a moisturizer and as antioxidant protection too.
Wear makeup responsibly
If you’re going to be applying heavy makeup, make sure to prep beforehand. Applying sheet masks is an excellent pre-glam ritual as it locks in moisture and hydration deep into the skin before applying a bunch of beauty products that could potentially dry you out. Also, having a moisturized canvas results in your base makeup gliding on so much better.
Want to step it up a notch? Try out products that function as makeup-skin care hybrids so you can really pack in that hydration while still looking stunning. You can try a tinted moisturizer, concealer with essential oils, or a lipstick packed with multiple hydration benefits.
Avoid harsh peeling ingredients
Popular skin care products may not be ideal for dry skin. An example is retinol, an ingredient found in plenty of serums that causes skin to dry further.
What should I include in my skin care routine?
Your daytime and nighttime routine should work together to bring and lock in moisture in your skin. Luckily, plenty of dermatologist-recommended brands have come up with products catered specifically to this skin condition, and they’re all readily available on the market. We’ve added some product recommendations along with the ideal skincare routine just for you! Without further ado, let’s take a look at the best skincare routine for this skin type.
Day Routine
Having a good daytime skincare routine can do wonders for dry and damaged skin! Often, this is where the skin incurs the most damage as it’s exposed to harmful UV rays, so it’s best to start perfecting your day care regimen as soon as possible to minimize damage. Let’s take a look at this dermatologist-approved beauty routine for plump and youthful morning skin!
Non-foaming Skin Cleanser
The Cerave Hydrating Face Wash is an excellent example, as the mild cleanser formula contains hyaluronic acid as well as ceramides, which play an important role in keeping our skin barrier hydrated. Alternatively, you can try out the La Roche Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Face Cleanser that comes highly recommended by professionals. This one cleanser includes superstar ingredients like niacinamide and glycerin, apart from being non-irritating and fragrance-free.
Light Moisturizer
The second step of your dry-skin-friendly skincare routine is applying a light moisturizer. And we don’t mean light as in it doesn’t hydrate your skin. By this, we mean moisturizers that are fast absorbing and fast acting. The ideal moisturizer is a product that acts quickly to penetrate deep within your skin cells and bind water but doesn’t stay too long on the face. The Neutrogena Hydro Boost contains hyaluronic acid, perfect for keeping moisture levels high and preventing water loss.
Mild Exfoliants
When it comes to removing dead skin cells, AHAs are the way to go. They remove all the dirt sitting on your face in a much gentler way than an abrasive physical scrub would, making them ideal for someone with a dry skin type. You’ll often find them in a toner, serum, or mask form. By removing all the dirt and dust sitting on your face, you’ll be able to achieve a brighter complexion that looks young and hydrated.
A mild exfoliant is recommended once or twice a week depending on how your skin takes it. As a rule, always start with once a week if this is your first time. Gradually build the frequency every two weeks to achieve the best results.
Sunscreen
UV rays can exacerbate the already damaged skin on your face, so the golden rule holds true more than ever: always apply sunscreen! A broad spectrum SPF sunscreen, to be exact. This ensures your skin is protected against both UVA and UVB.
For this step, we suggest trying the Verdio UV Moisture Gel. It glides on super smoothly, unlike other sunblocks that eventually form cakiness or cracks on dry skin, something that has often pushed me to commit the grave sin of not putting on sunblock.
Nighttime Routine
Eye Cream
The undereyes can be an especially dry area since they’re so delicate. To avoid waking up with puffy and cracked bags, apply a hydrating eye cream every night. Make sure to look for a formula that is both mild and hydrating, and remember to look out for the ingredients we mentioned above, especially hyaluronic acid or glycerin.
Treatments
A face oil in the evening can restore moisture to your damaged cells overnight, helping them retain water while you sleep. An anti-aging mask with mild ingredients will help avoid fine lines and wrinkles. Try to look for a vitamin C serum or a hydrating essence treatment, usually a formula with a blend of different hydrating ingredients like HA or natural fruit extracts. Apart from serums, oils can also help add nutrients to damaged skin.
Bonus: Overnight Masks
Who says overnight masks are only for once-a-month “treat yourself” nights? Everyone deserves to feel great, and a sheet mask or sleep mask infused with all the right ingredients can be what restores much-needed hydration to your dry skin! Similar to serums, overnight masks are often formulated with humectants and emollients that aid in water retention and drawing in moisture from the environment. The QuickFX Dewy+ Sleep Mask is formulated to do just that!
In summary, the best daily skincare routine for dry skin is a non-foaming cleanser, a light moisturizer, and sunscreen. Once or twice a week, apply your chemical exfoliant of choice: we recommend getting an AHA one. In the evening, add eye cream and treatments or a serum to your face so you wake up feeling fresh and plump. Add an overnight mask into the mix to help your skin retain water better, and you’re good to go!
Remember, despite similarities in skin types, our genetic makeup varies. That’s what makes a beauty journey fun and exciting, but it also means that a product that works for others may not work for you.
Don’t worry, though. We’re sure this tried-and-tested routine is going to make you a pro at treating that dry skin in no time!
Want to share your own skincare journey? Perhaps there’s a serum you’d like us to review? No matter your concerns, Pretty Me has just the thing for you! Check out our blogs for all things fashion, health, and beauty!
Joey is an AB Psychology graduate of the University of St. La Salle – Bacolod. Her life’s passions include writing, film, and spending hours on end binge-watching fashion vloggers on Youtube.
