The best skincare routine for dry skin

Page principale:Thèmes dermatologiques

article.category:Peau saine

While older adults are more likely to develop dry skin, it can occur in people of all ages and be challenging to maintain. Fortunately, a rich collection of products on the market can help keep your skin moisturized and protected against environmental factors.
If you suffer from dry and flaking skin, then curating a specific skincare routine can eventually lead to measurable changes.

What Causes Dry Skin?

While dry skin is often genetic, environmental factors can lead to scaling, flaking, itching, and cracking. These environmental factors include: 

  • Exposure to harsh outdoor conditions
  • Excessive washing
  • Exposure to irritants
  • Medical conditions such as diabetes or hypothyroidism
  • Poor bathing habits
  • Humidity
  • Using the wrong products or products with harsh chemicals 

How to Care for Dry Skin

Most skincare routines involve three steps—cleansing, treating, and moisturizing. However, as with any unique skin condition, your dry skin routine might have to include a few added measures.

Cleanser

When to use it: Morning and evening

Pick a hydrating cleanser that’s either oil or cream-based—this helps keep the skin hydrated and prevents disruption to the outer layer while removing dead cells and dirt. A go-to hydrating ingredient is hyaluronic acid; on the other hand, you’ll want to avoid drying ingredients like alcohol.

Toner

When to use it: Morning and evening

Toner helps prepare the skin for other products and allows it to absorb more active ingredients. It also gently exfoliates the skin, brightening and tightening over time.

Using an alcohol-free toner with glycerin can lock in moisture and help balance the skin’s pH levels.

Serum

When to use it: Morning and evening

Serums help lock in additional moisture and protect the skin against environmental irritants. Look for ingredients like squalene and ceramide, which keep the skin hydrated throughout the day. Other ingredients like vitamin C can encourage collagen production, restoring elasticity and protecting the skin from pollutants.

Moisturizer

When to use it: Morning and evening

Moisturizers lock in the benefits that a serum provides. When shopping for the right one, remember to pick a moisturizer specifically formulated for the face. It should contain fortifying ingredients that penetrate the deepest skin barriers, allowing them to become firmer over time. 

On top of hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and ceramide, ideal ingredients for dry skin include B vitamins like niacinamide: these can fade spots, neutralize redness, and correct bumpy textures.

Oil

When to use it: Morning and evening

If your symptoms are severe, adding an oil on top of your serum and moisturizer can lock in hydration even further. Look out for antioxidant ingredients like vitamins E and C. 

Sunscreen

When to use it: Morning

Regardless of whether you have dry or oily skin, incorporating sunscreen into your daily regimen is a must. Look for a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 50. In addition, broad spectrum can protect against both UVA and UVB rays, which you can become particularly susceptible to if you spend a lot of time outdoors. 

If you have dry skin, choosing a lightweight sunscreen is essential to preventing clogged pores and potential breakouts.

Eye Cream

When to use it: Morning and evening

One of the most overlooked skincare areas is under the eyes. If you suffer from dry skin, chances are your undereyes will become more prone to wrinkling and sagging. As such, introducing a hydrating eye cream with ingredients like shea butter, vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, and collagen can eliminate the appearance of eyebags and minimize crow’s feet.

Face Mask

When to use it: Evening

While not entirely necessary, incorporating a rejuvenating face mask into your routine can help lock in your regimen’s most powerful active ingredients. There is an impressive variety of overnight masks for dry skin, which typically contain ingredients like hyaluronic acid or antioxidants. 

Remember to wash off your overnight mask before applying other skincare products in the morning. 

The Bottom Line

While dry skin can be a nuisance, correcting symptoms like itching and flaking is not impossible. In addition to a rigorous skincare routine, avoiding too much time under the sun, staying hydrated, and exposing yourself to some humidity if you live in a dry area can help keep your skin moisturized.
Do you want to restore hydration in your skin? Louis Widmer’s dry skin collection rejuvenates, balances, and moisturizes!