Do you experience a feeling of tightness, or does your skin flake and have cracks that may bleed? If any of these applies to you, then you have dry skin. The quest to achieve moisture-rich skin is a dream for those with dry skin, hence, the importance of hydration and using the right skin care products. 

Here, we provides multifaceted resources, including the right use of products and improved lifestyle changes that help improve dry skin and ensure it remains moisture-rich.

Is Moisturizer good for dry facial skin?

If you suffer from dry skin, a good face moisturizer is your key to ensure optimal moisture. But what kind of moisturizer do you need to achieve this? And What does moisturizer do best?

Every dry skin needs a line of hydrating skincare that helps trap and maintain moisture — they should contain active ingredients that target dry skin. According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association, shea butter, petrolatum, mineral oil, lactic acid, and hyaluronic acid are active ingredients that retain moisture in dry skin.

How do you moisturize your dry facial skin step by step? 

Choosing the right moisturizer is one, but knowing how to use the skin care moisturizer is the secret to nailing your skin routine. In this section, we highlight the necessary steps, the correct order of application, and recommended quantities to moisturize your dry skin. 

Morning skin care routine for dry skin

Looking to try an effective skin care routine for dry skin, then go over the following step-by-step procedures.

Wash your face

To begin this 4 step routine, start by washing your face with a hydrating face cleanser,  particularly one with the active ingredient hyaluronic acid or anything similar. A hydrating cleanser helps remove dirt without stripping the skin's natural sebum. 

Apply your serum or antioxidants

After washing your face, apply your antioxidants or serum if you have. If you don't, we recommend having an anti-aging antioxidant or a Vitamin C serum to fight against free radicals produced by oxidative stress. Antioxidants also treat early signs of aging such as wrinkles and hyperpigmentation.

Apply a moisturizer

Moisturizing is the next step of this skin regimen. For dry skin, it is the most essential because it helps replenish lost moisture and also serves as a good makeup base. Choose a hyaluronic acid-rich moisturizer that replenishes lost moisture on dried skin. We recommend the Clarasome moisturizer which contains hyaluronic acid and prevents further dryness in dry skin.

Finish With Sunscreen

After giving your moisturizer a minute or two to settle, apply your sunscreen. The benefits of sunscreen are non-negotiable, and foregoing it sort of puts the rest of your regimen at risk of UV radiation. “An SPF 30 or higher is an ideal skincare for dry skin, and it should be applied around 15 to 20 minutes before heading outside so it has proper time to work properly.” Dr. Sperling says.

Evening skin care routine for dry skin

If you've already checked out the morning skincare routine for dry skin, you're on the right track to maintaining healthy and hydrated skin. Now is the time to ensure overnight nourishment of the skin to lock in moisture and nutrients. Here's a quick highlight of the essential steps for an evening skincare routine for dry skin: 

Cleanse

An evening cleansing is as important as the morning face washing as it helps prepare your skin for the overnight products it will receive. Since over-cleansing can worsen dry skin, it's important to avoid foam or gel face washes and opt for a cleansing oil or balm that will gently melt the dirt, makeup, and sunscreen you applied in the morning. When you get the right oil or balm, it takes at least two to three minutes to massage it all over your face before using warm water and a clean cloth to rinse it and dry your face.

Treat

If you suffer from acne or any other skin conditions that require special treatment, now is the time to apply them. If these treatments worsen drying, for instance, azelaic acid, we recommend you hydrate properly.

Hydrate

The first step to hydration is the proper use of serums containing hyaluronic acid, emollients, or occlusives. Ensure your desired skin care for dry skin does not contain alcoholic acids, parabens, or heavy fragrances.

Moisturize

If you have a heavy moisturizer you would not normally use in your daily routine, it's time you incorporate it into your evening routine. Be generous with the application and ensure you use a thick, dense cream that contains beneficial lipids like ceramides and oat lipids.

Target

People with dry skin report extreme dryness in certain regions of their face. If you experience more dryness in specific areas of your face like your lips and the delicate skin around your eyes, treat them with the right targeted products for dry skin. These products are usually either a moisturizing lip balm or an eye cream skincare for dry skin.

Seal

To lock in all the products you applied, you need to seal them in. Sealing is a recommended dermatology procedure that is essentially beneficial to dry skin and it usually comes as a balm or oil. We recommend using a gua sha to massage properly into your skin.

Why is my skin so dry even when I moisturize? 

Many people with dry skin often experience further dryness even after moisturizing for many reasons. The first and most common reason for dryness is over-moisturizing to compensate for the dryness. Over-moisturizing your skin can slow the production of the natural oil on your face, leaving it drier than before. Overall, it is important to know when and how much moisturizer you need to prevent over-moisturizing.

What are the best products for dry skin?

Building a stellar skin-care routine for your dry skin face can sometimes feel difficult as choosing the right set of products requires trial and error. To reduce wastage and save your resources, your line of products should contain one or more of the following products — hyaluronic acid or polyglutamic acid, ceramides, glycerin, oat peptides, glycerin, and shea butter. Overall, it should contain non-condegemic humectants, occlusives, and emollients.