A few clouds. Low around 65F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph..

A few clouds. Low around 65F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph.

Everyone’s skin is different. Each person has their own challenges when it comes to skincare. Some are lucky enough to have skin that doesn’t require lots of effort. But those who struggle with dry skin understand that the right products and skincare routine are essential.

When your skin is dry, it can become flaky, red, and sensitive. Ultimately, this may leave your skin more vulnerable to additional damage from the environment. Building a routine and finding the right products—like a gentle cleanser or dry skin toner—may help you battle dehydration.

There are several tried and trusted steps known to help those dealing with dryness. Most of these focus on the face but can be applied anywhere on the body.

Keep reading for the ultimate dry skincare guide.

You can’t maintain healthy skin if your skincare products are doing more harm than good. The first step to caring for dry skin is to find products that actually work for you. 

Now, finding the right products and care routine might need some trial and error. What works well for you might not work the same for another. It’s impossible to know what works without trying it. But you can start by looking for products marketed specifically for dry skin. 

It’s also a good idea to pay attention to the ingredients used in the products you purchase. Natural-ingredient products generally contain fewer chemicals that can harm your skin. Ingredients like hyaluronic acid, lipids (like natural oils and butter), and ceramides are often beneficial for dry skin. On the other hand, products that use things like alcohol, salicylic acid, and fragrances may further dry your skin and would be best avoided.

When it comes to your skincare routine, you should always start by cleansing your skin. Cleaning your skin removes any excess buildup of product and oils that could get in the way. For dry skin, it’s advisable to cleanse only once a day—in the morning—to avoid over-cleansing.

The exception is when you wear makeup. If you wear makeup, always remove it before you go to bed. You don’t always need a facial cleanser to do so. Removing makeup is especially important for those with dry skin. Sleep is when your entire body rejuvenates itself—including your skin. Wearing makeup overnight can stop your skin from breathing properly. As such, it can cause additional damage by preventing your skin from renewing itself overnight.

When choosing a facial cleanser—or skin cleanser in general—try to find a gentle, hydrating product. A non-foaming cleanser is often recommended for dry skin because it’s gentler and is less likely to strip away all of your natural oils. 

These oils are your body’s natural protective layer. Removing them may lead to an additional dry feeling, which is the reason it is recommended to moisturize after a cleanse.

Toners supplement the cleaning process. You can consider this step a ‘final preparation’ for the coming serums or moisturizers.

The purpose of using a toner is to clean out your pores and balance your skin’s pH levels. They may also provide extra hydration by penetrating deep into your skin. That said, this step isn’t always necessary. You might not need it at all, especially if you use a cleanser that balances pH levels.

Be careful when selecting a toner to use. Considering their usage, these products often include some harsher ingredients for dehydrated skin. Alcohol and salicylic acid are common in toners, but they can do more harm than good for dry skin. It’s probably in your best interest to steer clear of these options.

This is another optional step. But if you choose to include it, this is where it should go in your routine.

Serums are like a police force committed to eliminating a specific target. They’re solutions made to handle particular skin concerns. In this case, you’ll most likely use a serum targeted for hydrating dry skin. Such a serum would include ingredients like the hyaluronic acid mentioned earlier.

That said, serums can target several skin conditions. For example, you could use a serum for reducing wrinkles, acne, or removing skin blemishes. As always, remember to check the ingredients and avoid products with those you know don’t work for you.

Of course, you need to moisturize. For dealing with dry skin, this is almost non-arguably an essential step. You need to moisturize to give your skin the chance to hydrate and lock in hydration. In addition, a good moisturizer will complement your serum. The crucial factor to remember here is that you may need different products for different parts of your body.

Different body parts have different requirements. Predominantly, you’ll be using a different moisturizer for your face than for the rest of your body. Ensure you’re using a facial moisturizer on your face.

Don’t underestimate the importance of SPF. Applying sunscreen can contribute to maintaining an even complexion and protect your skin from harmful UV light. Nonetheless, the zinc oxide contained in most sunscreens can be drying and cause additional problems for dry skin.

You can overcome this by, once again, finding a sunscreen specifically formulated to accommodate dry skin. Alternatively, you can use a hydrating moisturizer that has SPF included.

With this, your skincare routine should be complete.

Atop everything else mentioned here, natural oils deserve special attention. You’ve probably heard talk of how good coconut butter is for the skin. Body butter and topical oils contain lipids that may help improve hydration and protect the skin.

If you have dry skin, natural oil-based products could become your new favorite thing. Keep in mind that these are typically thicker substances, unsuited for the face as they can clog pores and result in an oily look—you may be better off with a facial moisturizer. But you might find them to be the perfect solution for the rest of your body.

Beware of products that include these oils, only to damage their benefits by adding extra chemicals. When it comes to body butter, fewer additional chemicals and preservatives are usually a better choice.

You can also make your own body butter. It’s easier than you may expect. As a bonus, you get to play around with ratios to create something with your unique preferences in mind.

Dealing with dry skin can be challenging. But it’s not impossible to keep it healthy. The main three steps to remember are: cleanse, moisturize, and protect. These steps are the core to keeping your skin in good health. Between these, you can enhance your cleaning with toners and target specific concerns with serums. 

Pay attention to which topical products you use. Learn which ingredients you need to avoid. Follow the three main skincare steps. Do these things, and you’ll be on your way to finding the perfect skincare routine for your dry skin and its needs.

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