What should you use in your skincare routine to treat dry skin*?
To manage dry skin, take a holistic approach and examine not only the skincare products you use, but also the environment you live in (for example, getting a humidifier helps for dry climates), your diet, and your cleansing habits.
However, before you read on, make sure you know the differences between lotions and creams, dry versus dehydrated skin, and humectants, emollients and occlusives.
Step 1 - Perfect your cleansing routine
Make sure to avoid hot or even warm water when washing your face, as this exacerbates dry skin. Cold or lukewarm water is ok.
Try to cut down cleansing your face to only once a day, and rinse off any cleanser as soon as you can. I also find foaming cleansers too drying for dry skin, so try going for a gel cleanser instead.
I have combination skin, and personally use the Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser (vitasprings) because it’s the most effective cleanser I’ve found that does the best job at removing sebum (for all skin types) while not drying out the skin. However, it does contain parabens, so you can experiment with different cleansers to find one best suited to you.
Step 2 - Apply multiple layers of the one product
When you have dry skin, you don’t necessarily need to slap on ten different products to keep it moisturized. In fact, it’s still important to steer clear of skincare that is too occlusive, as it can be comedogenic (= something that predisposes to blackheads and clogged pores).
Instead, layer multiple layers of the skincare that you are using. I find that the following regimen works well for me:
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apply 3 layers of a toner or essence. I use the Primera Miracle Seed Essence (Althea) because it has brightened my skin while at the same time soothing and hydrating rough patches.
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apply 2 layers of a serum. For example, I use the The Ordinary "Buffet" because it has helped make my skin feel more bouncy, and the peptides in it have helped keep fine lines at bay.
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apply 1 layer of your moisturizer. The Etude House SoonJung 2x Barrier Intensive Cream (Style Korean)(Althea)(Beautynet Korean) contains sunflower seed oil, and I find this cream has helped a lot in repairing my skin barrier after a bad case of dry skin. I find that it doesn’t feel greasy on my skin.
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apply a facial oil, but only to dry patches. I find that the Drunk Elephant Virgin Marula Facial Oil, Life Flo Health Pure Olive Squalane Oil (vitasprings) and Nutiva Hemp Oil Cold Pressed (vitasprings) are great for softening my skin. For a more affordable alternative to the Drunk Elephant, I find that The Ordinary 100% Cold-Pressed Virgin Marula Oil works almost as well, though it doesn’t sink into the my skin as quickly.
Make sure to massage your face gently, in upwards motions, in between applying each layer. This will help the product sink better into your skin.
Finally, put on an overnight sleeping mask like the COSRX Ultimate Moisturizing Honey Overnight Mask (Style Korean)(Althea)(Beautynet Korean)(Jolse). I find that this really helps lock in the hydration overnight. However, if you are a restless sleeper, you can use a mask that is less occlusive, or try putting on a little less than you would otherwise would, in case you get it on the pillows!
Step 3
This one has nothing to do with skincare, but is absolutely crucial! Examine your diet to see if you can enrich it with ingredients that help with dry skin. For example, a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids can help your skin to regulate and secrete sebum, and maintain your natural skin barrier.
By the way.. some the skincare we recommend are available on iHerb, which we use to buy a lot of our organic skincare. You can use our code AEJ0519 at checkout to get 5% off.
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*Dry skin not related to a medical condition.
P.S…this is probably obvious, but the information presented doesn’t constitute medical advice - always check with your own doctor!
