A Complete Skincare Routine for Dry Skin

Each person has their own skin challenges. From oily and acne-prone to dry and flaky, and everything in between, the key to healthy skin is finding the right combination of products that work well with your skin type and daily regimen. The best skincare for dry skin includes products with moisturizing and hydrating ingredients like fruit-derived oils and hyaluronic acid that leave the skin looking and feeling bright and refreshed.

Whether dry skin is your complexion’s normal state or if the season has stripped your skin of its natural oils and left it dull, set up a skincare routine that’ll give your skin what it needs when it needs it. Some skincare plans have several steps while others have only one or two, depending on time constraints and the skin’s needs.

Determine what you need for your skin on a regular basis to keep it as healthy as possible. When applying products, it’s recommended to start with the lightest one first and go heavier as you progress. In addition to what you use, maintaining consistency is key. For a comprehensive skincare routine for dry skin, in particular, we recommend cleansing, toning, hydrating, moisturizing, applying sunscreen, and rounding out with overnight care.

What Causes Dry Skin?

There are a surprising amount of factors that can lead to dry skin. The most common ones include the environment, genetics, excessive washing, exposure to irritants, and changing weather. Additionally, certain medical conditions (such as diabetes) can lead to dehydrated skin, and even emotional stress!

Changing your daily habits is the best way to fix this problem. The first step is to build a regimen that focuses on moisture, nourishment, and hydration.

Continue reading for our step-by-step skin care routine for dry skin.

Step 1: Cleanse

Cleansing the skin is the first step before applying any moisturizing creams or oils. Remove all makeup, dirt, and environmental pollutants from the day and start fresh. Choose a clean face wash product that has hydrating ingredients to soothe the skin and prep it for the following steps. A great hydrating facial cleanser will set the tone for the rest of your skin care routine.

The Evercalm Gentle Cleansing Milk includes natural ingredients like blackcurrant oil, seabuckthorn berry oil, and fennel seed extract. These help to calm, soften, and protect the skin against pollution damage. It’s a gentle, hydrating cleanser that melts away makeup and washes away dirt without causing irritation or redness to the skin.

Another effective product to add to your best skincare routine for dry skin is the Perfect Canvas Clean Jelly Oil Cleanser. Ingredients like sunflower seed oil and meadow seed oil prevent dryness by protecting and replenishing the skin’s natural moisture barrier. It deep cleans without stripping the skin of its regular hydration. The soothing formula starts as a cool jelly, then transforms into an oil, before turning into a milk that dissolves makeup, dirt, and grime from the day. It’s effective enough to purify the pores but gentle enough to use on sensitive skin.

Step 2: Tone

Clean beauty toners complement your cleanser as a secondary product to get rid of any leftover makeup or dirt you may have missed. It helps to remove excess oil, bring balance to the skin tone, and allows other skincare products to absorb fully into the skin.1

The Ready Steady Glow Daily AHA Tonic is a must-have when sourcing the best skincare for dry skin due to its special hydrating formula. It works double-time as a face exfoliator and toner to brighten and tighten the skin. Use daily to break down pore buildup. You’ll soon notice the skin’s texture becomes smoother and feel more supple after you’ve sloughed away old skin cells and made way for healthy, rejuvenated skin.

Step 3: Hydrate

Face oils add an extra boost of hydration for dry skin. The Rose O12 Moisture Defence Oil helps plump the skin and prevent future dryness. With 12 plant oils, including seabuckthorn berry oil to soften skin and rose damascena oil to soothe skin, your skin looks fresh and dewy even before you apply your regular moisturizer.

When your skin is feeling tight and dry, the Flash Hydro Boost does the trick with its water-activated hydration. Ingredients such as hyaluronic acid and Xylitol boost and lock in moisture levels for an optimal hydrating effect. Gently press into the skin for maximum absorption.

Step 4: Moisturize

True to its name, moisturizer adds moisture back to the skin, hydrating it and leaving you with a fresher appearance. The Global Protection Day Cream is specifically formulated to protect against moisture loss, pollution, and external aggressors, while providing long-lasting hydration instantly. Natural ingredients like blackcurrent seed oil and camellia oil work to rehydrate the skin and replenish the skin’s lipid barrier to give you a soft and supple complexion. Massage into the face using short, circular motions and don’t forget to extend coverage down to your neck.

As part of the best skincare routine for dry skin, it’s important to focus on the delicate skin beneath the eyes. It’s often one of the first places that show signs of aging. This area likes to give way to dark shadows and fine lines and requires its own special attention by using ingredients that nourish and firm. As with the rest of your face, it’s important to maintain hydration to prevent a crepe-like appearance.

Since there’s not much surface to cover, a small dot of the Keep Young And Beautiful™ Firm And Lift Eye Cream can make a big difference. Apply with your ring finger to massage into the skin versus pulling at this sensitive area. It’s best to apply clean moisturizer and eye cream both day and night, especially for those with dry skin.

Step 5: Apply Sunscreen

Fortunately, sunscreen has become a must-have part of any skincare routine and not just a go-to when headed to the beach or pool. Damage from UV rays can quickly dry out the skin and leave it tight and flaky. Over the years, formulas have evolved so sunscreen is less oily than previous iterations. It’s lightweight enough to use on the face without clogging pores and causing breakouts.

Many daily moisturizers already include SPF, but it’s always a good idea to add a layer of coverage to prevent damage from the sun. Use a clean sunscreen that has at least an SPF of 30 to get the most from its coverage. Reapply at least every two hours to maintain its protective benefits.

Step 6: Boost with Overnight Care

The best skincare for dry skin involves using nourishing products during the day, but you can also treat it overnight. Getting adequate sleep is one of the best things you can do for your skin since this is when it goes through its skin renewal process. That’s why when you skimp on sleep, your skin appears dry, dull, and puffy.2

Give your skin an extra boost of hydration by using a night cream. The Evercalm Overnight Recovery Balm easily absorbs into the skin to hydrate and nourish the skin while you’re sleeping. Through the power of olive, almond, borage, and linseed oils, the balm helps you to achieve healthier, more nourished skin by morning.

Tips for Preventing Dry Skin

The best skincare for dry skin is all about prevention. The sooner you start taking care of your skin, the better results you’ll see down the road. In addition to following a regular skincare regimen full of clean skincare products that include hydrating ingredients, there are several ways to protect your skin from drying out in the first place.

Stay in the Shade

UV rays from the sun are harsh on the skin. Limiting your time in the sun helps protect the skin from drying out. Wear sunscreen plus a hat and sunglasses for an added layer of protection. Stick to shady areas as much as possible, and head outdoors in the early morning or late evening when the sun isn’t at its peak.

Drink Plenty of Water

It’s also valuable to boost your hydration from the inside out. Drink plenty of water throughout the day and increase the amount when temperatures and/or activity levels are high. You lose a lot of water as you sweat and it’s common to forget to replenish your water intake enough to keep you properly hydrated. Caffeine can also dry your skin out, so make sure to supplement your coffee by drinking plenty of water throughout the day.

Take Cooler Showers

While hot showers might feel amazing, the hot water can strip your skin of its natural oils, resulting in irritation and dryness of the skin. Turn down the heat closer to your body temperature to keep your skin from drying out. It’s fine to take a steamy shower or bath every once in a while, just don’t overdo it.

Keep Consistent

When starting or updating any skincare routine, it’s essential to maintain a regular routine. Most healthy habits take at least 30 days before you begin to see results; the same goes for your skincare. The time allows your skin to adapt and respond to the products being used and any changing environments. You may see a slight difference within a few days, but the more consistent you are, the more of a change you’ll see.

When it comes to taking care of your skin, your routine may vary. Take our skincare quiz to find options for morning and evening skincare routines. Some days you may only have time to cleanse and moisturize, while other days you’ll want to perform the complete regimen. If your skin tends to be on the dry side, take time to go through the six steps on a regular basis.

As long as you make an effort to treat your skin on a daily basis, drink plenty of water, and protect it from the sun, you’ll help it stay hydrated and healthy-looking. It only takes a few minutes to give your skin long-lasting, glowing results.

How to Care for Dry Skin With Blemishes

Although we usually associate oily skin with blemishes, there are instances where dry skin and blemishes can occur at the same time. Blemish-prone skin usually requires skin care products that are counterproductive to hydration. Salicylic acid, as an example, is a common skincare ingredient featured in blemish products that tends to dry out the skin.

To avoid further drying out blemish-prone skin, follow our tips below:

Avoid oil-based products. Oil-based lotions, moisturizers, and sunscreens are heavy and can get stuck in your pores.
Limit your full facial cleanse to once per day. This prevents your skin from being stripped of its protective oils your body naturally produces.
Avoid over-exfoliating. Opt for a gentle cleanser that helps visibly clean the skin.
While products containing benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid may help blemish-prone skin, these ingredients tend to dry out the skin. Be mindful of putting these ingredients to your skin, applying them directly onto the blemishes themselves.

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About the Author

With over 20 years’ experience in luxury beauty, David Delport brings both cosmetics and skincare expertise to his role as Global Brand Ambassador, having worked for renowned brands like NARS, Laura Mercier and Trish McEvoy. During his 12-year career at REN Clean Skincare, David has worked in-hand with product development, while employing his own industry knowledge. Based in London, but regularly working between LA, New York and Paris, David shares expertise through clean skincare masterclasses. His enthusiastic and educational talks help to create press and customer engagement on a global scale. Personally, David is super-passionate about the environment, especially the protection of our oceans. A trained scuba diver, and advocate of nature conservation, he embodies the "Clean to Skin. Clean to Planet." ethos of REN Clean Skincare, making him an ideal and authentic international ambassador for the brand.

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