For some, a search for “the best skin care for dry skin” usually happens when they feel the first chill in the air—while that’s also a sign the the holidays are coming, it also begins the countdown to dry, flaky skin.
“Dry skin is often a sign of a damaged skin barrier, which can lead to dry, itchy, or flaky skin,” Dr. Mina Amin, MD, FAAD, a Los-Angeles board-certified dermatologist, says. “The most common reason for dry skin is when the skin isn’t receiving enough moisture. This could be the cause of many factors, such as aging, changing weather, frequent hand washing, or skin conditions.”
Having dry skin will mean you need totally different products than someone with oily skin or combination skin. We’re no doctors, so we asked two dermatologists to give us the lowdown on building the best skin care routine for dealing with dry skin.
The Best Skin Care for Dry Skin, According to Dermatologists
The Best Face Washes for Dry Skin
The Best Exfoliators for Dry Skin
The Best Serums for Dry Skin
The Best Moisturizers for Dry Skin
The Best Sunscreens for Dry Skin
The Best Sheet Masks for Dry Skin
The Best Skin Care Routine for Dry Skin
The skin care routine for someone with dry skin or even sensitive skin doesn’t look dramatically different than those with other skin types. The basis is pretty much the same: cleanse, moisturize, protect, repeat. What does change between skin types is the kind of products you’ll use. Mostly everything will add moisture to the skin (even something that’s meant to cleanse) and everything will surely leaving you feeling hydrated, soft, and supple.
You night have done nothing at night other than sleep, but natural face oils will still accumulate atop your skin, and whatever was on your pillow will also adhere to your visage.
“Those with dry skin may not need to wash their face with a cleanser twice a day,” Dr. Brendan Camp, MD, FAAD, a double board-certified dermatologist, says. “Rinsing your face with water in the morning may be sufficient without putting your skin at risk of becoming too dry. Excessive use of a cleanser, or ingredients that remove oil like salicylic acid, can strip the skin of oil and predispose it to dryness.”
However, if you do feel the need to go with full-send cleanse in the morning, Amin recommends a gentle cleanser in the morning, opting for something more foaming at night to “remove sunscreen and allow for a fresh start to your nighttime routine.” Just make sure to avoid hot water, which can worsen dry skin. And while some skin types can benefit from the use of a toner post-wash, you can probably skip that if you have dry skin.
Exfoliating is a crucial step in one’s skin care routine, especially if you have dry skin, as it helps to remove excess dead skin cells. An accumulation of those dead skin cells can lead to breakouts, and even dehydrated skin can still lead to acne, a skin concern that deserves its own routine. When it comes to exfoliating, there are two types: chemical and physical. The former typically involves the use of acids to penetrate the skin to break down skin cells, while the latter uses a physical exfoliant as an abrasive to manually remove those dead skin cells, which you’d otherwise see as flaking.
People with dry skin might benefit more from chemical exfoliators as the abrasion can irritate the skin and cause increased sensitivity. If you are going to go the physical exfoliator route, just get something that’s gentle, not like those harsh apricot scrubs you used as an acne-prone teen. As Camp reiterates: “Use exfoliants sparingly to avoid skin irritation and exacerbation of dryness” because worsening dry skin can lead to eczema.
After you wash your face, but before you moisturize, consider using a serum. These are highly concentrated skin care products that give your face an extra boost of whatever it needs. “Apply a hydrating serum, like a hyaluronic acid serum, after washing to improve the penetration of moisturizing ingredients,” Camp says. You don’t need a lot of serum, usually just a drop or two, to get the full effects, and they really boost the efficacy of the rest of the skin care products that follow in your routine.
Dry skin needs moisture, so it makes sense that a moisturizer or face lotion might be the most important step of the routine. Amin recommends you use a “rich moisturizer,” which should contain emollients, occlusives, and humectants like hyaluronic acid and glycerin to boost the moisture and plumpness of the skin. Anything too lightweight, which is usually great for those with oily skin, might not supply to nourishment that dry skin needs. Also, fragrance-free is key to avoid irritating the skin.
Anyone with skin, regardless of skin type, should be wearing sunscreen. Besides its harmful UV rays, the sun can dry out the skin, exacerbating dryness. A good sunscreen will double as a second moisturizer, but no matter what you choose, we’re just glad you’re applying some SPF. Pro tip: Use a sunscreen after your moisturizer (this applies to your morning skin care routine) so that it acts as the outermost barrier to UV rays when you’re exposed to sunlight.
While not essential, sheet masks provide an extra boost of moisture to the skin and it reminds you to take a few minutes to sit back and indulge in your self-care routine. Hyaluronic acid is your friend, so find a sheet mask that puts a bunch of that good-good into your mug, because skin hydration is no joke.
