Addressing dry skin concerns can feel like an uphill battle if you’re not sure where to start. While creating an effective dry skin routine doesn’t have to be complicated, it is important to prioritize using the right products and ingredients for your needs. To promote a dewy, comfortable complexion, a skincare routine for dry skin should be gentle, soothing, and above all else, deeply moisturizing—every step of the way. Here, we’ll discuss some of the best ingredients to add to your dry skin routine, and offer a look at some of our favorite products to use to keep your complexion hydrated, soft, and healthy-looking. What Causes Dry Skin? There’s no one answer to the cause of dry skin. For some people, dryness is due to genetics, skin conditions, or a loss of moisture due to aging. For others, it’s because of dry air, which can crop up in the winter with brisk outdoor temperatures or central heating systems. Dry skin can also be a result of over-washing or the use of harsh skincare products that damage the skin barrier. In these instances, the skin’s natural protective oils are stripped away, leaving the skin with a dry, tight feeling. No matter the cause, a dry skin routine that centers around gentle, nourishing products is a great way to restore your skin’s healthy look and feel. What Ingredients Are Good for Dry Skin? Before you put anything on your face, it’s a good idea to do your homework and determine which ingredients can help address your specific concerns. Some ingredients to look out for when shopping for skincare for dry skin include: Hyaluronic acid: Unless you’re totally new to skincare, you’re probably at least passingly familiar with hyaluronic acid. Products with this humectant ingredient can help draw moisture into the skin, promoting a plumper, more hydrated appearance. Ceramides: The term ceramides refers to a class of lipids that exist within the skin’s natural moisture barrier. Among other things, they help trap water in the skin to prevent moisture loss (in other words, dehydration). Over time, however, your skin’s production of ceramides may decrease, resulting in dryness and dehydration. Using products that contain ceramides can help keep your skin feeling moisturized and healthy. Niacinamide: Niacinamide, a form of vitamin B3, can be found in a wide range of products, from cleansers and serums to moisturizers and even sunscreens. According to the Cleveland Clinic, it can help reduce redness, soothe irritation, and boost skin hydration—making it a worthwhile addition to your dry skin routine. Glycerin: Like hyaluronic acid, glycerin is a humectant ingredient that, when used topically, can help hydrate the skin, protect against dryness, and improve skin elasticity. Squalane: According to the Cleveland Clinic, squalane is an oily compound that’s structurally similar to your skin’s natural oil (also known as sebum). In skincare products, it can help seal in moisture to improve skin hydration—and, unlike many other oils, it’s non-comedogenic, so you don’t have to worry about it clogging your pores. Vitamin E: If your dry skin feels rough or scaly, consider adding a product with vitamin E to your routine. When used topically—like in a facial moisturizer—vitamin E can help seal in moisture and promote softer-feeling skin. Morning Skincare Routine for Dry Skin Now that you know what ingredients to look out for when shopping for skincare, read on to discover a super-simple dry skin skincare routine to help promote a comfortable, hydrated complexion. Step 1: Cleanse Cleansing is one of the most important steps in your dry skin routine. You’ll want to take care to select a cleanser that won’t strip your skin of essential moisture. When shopping for a cleanser, reach for one with a creamy formula that contains mild ingredients and boasts hydrating benefits. If you need a recommendation, we’re big fans of the SkinCeuticals Gentle Cleanser for a morning skincare routine. It’s free of some common irritants, including alcohol, synthetic fragrances, and harsh soaps, and gently removes impurities while leaving the skin feeling soft and moisturized. Remember to use lukewarm water when washing your face—hot water can strip your skin of oils, leaving it feeling tight and dry. Step 2: Tone After washing your face, apply a hydrating toner to prep your skin for more serums and lotions. There are some toners that help reduce oil and others that add a light layer of moisture. Focus on the latter for dry skin to ensure your base is super nourishing. The Thayers Hydrating Milky Toner with Snow Mushroom and Niacinamide is one of our top picks for dry skin. The light, milky formula is pH-balanced, alcohol-free, and fragrance-free, so it’s suitable for sensitive skin. Swipe it on your skin with a cotton pad or gently pat it on with your fingertips for up to 48 hours of long-lasting, cushiony moisture. Step 3: Apply serum Another way to add a potent layer of hydration without the added weight of a heavy formula is by smoothing on a facial serum. When it comes to creating a dry skin routine, you’ll typically want to choose a hydrating serum. Try the L'Oréal Paris RevitaLift Derm Intensives 1.5 % Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum, a skin-plumping serum infused with hyaluronic acid. It’s fragrance-free, lightweight, and absorbs quickly without a greasy or tacky feel. Step 4: Moisturize Unsurprisingly, moisturizer is a can’t-skip step in your dry skin routine. To help lock in moisture, we suggest reaching for a rich, deeply hydrating formula—the more nourishing, the better. One of our favorite options for those with dry skin is the Youth to the People Adaptogen Deep Moisture Cream. The fragrance-free pick contains squalane, shea butter, and jojoba oil and provides deep, long-lasting hydration without a greasy or oily feel. It also helps calm the skin—an added boon if dryness leaves your skin feeling uncomfortable or irritated. Step 5: SPF We’ve said it so many times, but it always bears repeating: Sunscreen is non-negotiable, every single day. The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends opting for a broad-spectrum formula with an SPF of at least 15. You’ll also want to reapply it at least every two hours (and follow other sun protection measures, like wearing protective clothing, for lasting protection). The right sunscreen can also add a bit more hydration to your morning skincare routine, plus prevent your skin from drying out due to sunburns. To keep your skin protected and feeling hydrated, try the La Roche-Posay Anthelios UV Hydra Hydrating Face Sunscreen SPF 50 With Hyaluronic Acid. It provides instant and long-lasting hydration and leaves the skin looking plump, dewy, and glowy. Plus, its barely-there texture blends seamlessly into the skin. Nighttime Skincare Routine for Dry Skin Step 1: Cleanse A night skincare routine should always start with a cleanser—and in some cases, a double cleanse. Double cleansing typically begins by washing your face with an oil-based cleanser to remove surface impurities, then rinsing and washing your face a second time with a water-based cleanser. This method is a great way to thoroughly remove makeup, sunscreen, and other grime tacked onto your face throughout the day. The Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Botanical Cleansing Oil is a great first step—it’s packed with nourishing ingredients like squalane and evening primrose oil and melts away impurities without drying out the skin. You can also try the Youth to the People Superberry Dream Cleansing Balm, which starts as a solid but turns into an oil as you massage it into your face, breaking down makeup and SPF in the process. Follow up your oil-based cleansers with a hydrating water-based solution. The CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser cleans without stripping your skin bare, and it’s designed to restore your barrier with each wash. Step 2: Tone It’s also important to tone your skin at night—and we recommend the Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Toner for your nighttime routine. It’s a gentle, pH-balanced toner designed to prep your skin for moisture without stripping away natural oils. Plus, it’s alcohol-free and packed with nourishing ingredients, including vitamin E, avocado oil, and squalene. Step 3: Apply serum Serums have plenty of time to soak into the skin overnight, making them a must for a dry skin routine before bed. The Vichy Minéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Serum is an excellent pick: It contains only 11 ingredients—including hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and the brand’s signature Vichy volcanic water—and helps strengthen and repair the skin’s natural moisture barrier to promote hydrated, plump-looking skin. Step 4: Moisturizer Before hitting the sheets, reach for a rich nighttime moisturizer to help replenish your skin while you catch Z’s. Try the L’Oréal Paris Age Perfect Cell Renewal Midnight Cream, which has a unique formula that helps repair the skin’s natural moisture barrier at night when it’s most receptive to recovery. Immediately, your skin will feel hydrated and replenished, while continued use over time helps reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and dullness. Step 5: Apply an overnight mask As mentioned, the evening hours are crucial for skin regeneration and repair. So it’s wise to prep your skin before getting that beauty rest to optimize your dry skincare routine. You won’t be disappointed with the Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Overnight Hydrating Face Mask with 10.5% Squalane. The last thing you want is to slip around your pillow with a greasy face, and this deeply hydrating overnight mask locks in moisturizing without feeling heavy or clogging pores. Just a little bit of the balm-to-oil formula, infused with squalane, helps stabilize the moisture barrier so you can wake up to nourished, flake-free skin. Next Up: Facial Moisturizers: Gels vs. Creams vs. Lotions
