Best Skincare Routine for Dry Skin

Anyone with naturally dry skin can tell you it’s uncomfortable and annoying, and can be difficult to find high-quality products to help keep skin hydrated all day long. While some people only struggle with dry skin in certain environments or at certain times in their lives, dry skin can affect anyone, regardless of where they live or what their skin condition is.

If dry skin is disrupting your everyday life, whether by making your skin sensitive or flaky, or by interfering with the type of makeup you where, you’ve come to the right place.

Causes of Dry Skin

About 60% of the body is composed of water, and your skin is the largest organ that interacts directly with air that can dry it out. That’s why your body produces a natural oil called sebum to prevent water from escaping from the skin into the air, which people with dry skin often don’t produce enough of. However, that’s not the only cause of dry skin. Other factors that cause dry or sensitive skin include:

Drinking plenty of water
Weather changes (cold and/or dry air)
Using too-harsh products

Dry vs. Dehydrated Skin

It’s important to delineate between naturally dry skin and the symptoms that people experience when they have dehydrated skin. Dehydrated skin is simply skin that doesn’t have enough moisture, which can happen to people even without naturally dry skin. It’s a temporary condition that can be cured by correcting the cause, some of which are listed above.

Dehydrated skin can bring many symptoms, including:

A “tight” feeling
Flaking
Itching
Redness
Sensitivity

Evidence of dry skin tends to occur around the corners of the mouth, the sides of the nose, and in the eyebrows. If you notice tiny flakes that resemble dandruff in these areas, you likely have dry skin, and may need to change up your skincare routine.

Best Product Ingredients for Dry Skin

When browsing for high-quality skincare products for dry skin, keep these natural, gentle, and hydrating compounds in mind:

Hyaluronic acid (HA): This compound is found naturally in your skin and binds to water molecules to help keep skin hydrated, plump, and healthy.
Glycerin: A hydrating chemical that helps maintain the outer layers of skin’s moisture levels.
Aloe Vera: This plant is well-known for its soothing ability, but is also rich in vitamins and minerals to nourish skin.
Green tea: Both drinking and applying green tea is effective in nourishing skin with antioxidants and moisture-retaining compounds.
Squalane: Squalane very closely resembles the sebum our bodies make naturally, making it a great ingredient for natural moisturizers for dry skin.

Product Ingredients to Avoid with Dry Skin

Just as there are some ingredients better for those with dry skin, there are others that spell disaster for it. They include:

Astringents: Although both are water-based, astringents are not the same as toners. These are better used on oily skin types to really get down deep into pores.
Alcohols: Be wary of products with alcohols, although not all are bad for dry skin. Definitely avoid benzyl, ethyl, and isopropyl alcohol.
“Added fragrance”: When companies include non-natural fragrance compounds, it’s a shot in the dark at what chemicals you’ll be putting on your face. Many of these synthetic substances are harsh on dry skin.
Retinoids: While retinol can be great at helping with anti-aging concerns, it’s not recommended for people with dry or sensitive skin.
Benzoyl peroxide: This potent chemical can cause excessive dryness and peeling.

The Best Dry Skin Routine

For naturally dry skin of all degrees, the key is keeping it moisturized. This doesn’t mean, however, that you can just skip the cleansing and just keep reapplying moisturizer, though, as all skin needs to be cleaned to keep pores clear and debris off the face.

Step 1: Cleanse Gently

The goal with cleansing dry skin is to do so as gently as possible so as not to irritate the skin with harsh astringents.

Step 2: Apply a Hydrating Toner

Now that your skin is cleansed, it’s time to start the multi-layered hydrating process. There are several Epicuren toners that promote hydration leaving the skin feeling refreshed.

Step 3: Use a High-Quality Serum

Another way to hydrate before using moisturizer is with a nutrient-rich serum like:

Step 4: Protect Your Eyes

The skin around your eyes is about the most delicate skin on the already delicate face. Around the eyes, there are far fewer oil glands, which means this area is especially prone to dryness.

Step 5: Apply Facial Oil (Optional)

For people with truly, frustratingly dry skin, one product that can really make a difference is supplementing your natural oil with Epicuren Discovery’s

Step 6: Moisturize

Finally, the all-important step of moisturizing. Our Hydro Plus Moisturizer is perfect for thirsty skin. It’s a rich crème that will set in moisture while staying light on your skin. No oily or dewy feeling. This hydrating blend helps soften the skin and brings your complexion closer to a healthier glow.

Step 7: Protect Skin with Sunscreen (Mornings)

No matter what your skin type, if you plan on being outside at all during the day, it’s critical to protect your skin with sunscreen. This is important not only to prevent skin cancer, but also to protect skin against the signs of aging.

Step 8: Exfoliate Gently

Certainly not every day, but once a week or so, it’s helpful to treat yourself to a gentle exfoliating mask to get rid of any seen or unseen flaky, dead skin cells.

Professional Products for Dry Skin Types

Whether you’re dealing with dry skin on a daily basis or know that when the cold, dry air of winter hits, you’ll be feeling it too, Epicuren Discovery is here to help keep your skin hydrated with science-backed products. Browse our collections or take our skin quiz to find out what products are right for your unique skin condition.