Dry Skin: The Best Skincare Routine

Dry skin isn’t easy to deal with; that much is certain. Managing dry skin is about balancing hydration, moisture and nutrients and choosing the best ingredients to keep your skin hydrated.

Take our quick quiz to receive an email with personalised advice on the best ingredients to take care of your skin.

What causes dry skin?

For those of us with dry skin, it seems like there is always some kind of trial and error, trying out lots of products that don’t seem to work and just end up irritating the skin. It’s a vicious cycle.

We know that everyone is looking to understand how to improve dry skin, and there doesn’t seem to be a clear cut to accomplish this. Everyone’s skin is different, triggers are different, and two people can have wildly different reactions to the same product. If you are unique, shouldn’t your skincare regimen be too?

To better understand what the best skincare routine for dry skin, we first have to look at the underlying causes. Once you get a sense of what might be causing your dry skin, you can look for ingredients and products to help your skin.

Your skin is an organ.

Your skin is a 20 square-foot masterpiece. It is your body's largest organ! One of its most important functions is to keep water inside your body to prevent you becoming dehydrated. To do this, your skin cells contain a lot of water and the outermost layer of your skin seals moisture in with a special mixture of oils between the cells - like the mortar between bricks.

Hydration and moisturisation: your skin needs water

When your skin is dry, it essentially means that either your skin cells lack water (hydration), there is not enough water-sealing oils between your cells (moisturisation) or both.

The dehydration leads to itchy and tight skin that likely feels rough and flaky to the touch. You might also experience sensitivity and redness, especially if you scratch, so resist the urge!

You may have to do some experimenting on finding out exactly why your skin is dry. Some potential reasons may include:

• Weather - increased sensitivity to heat or cold can lead to more water evaporating from your skin surface, so you might find that your skin needs more moisturising during certain times of the year than others
• Genetics - you might be predisposed to have dryer skin
• Harsh chemicals in skincare products - some products strip the skin of its natural moisturising oils
• Allergies or diet - your body's reaction to certain foods or substances might cause dryness on your skin's surface.

Because dry skin is so often due to external circumstances, it takes time to figure out the root causes. However,

Skincare for dry skin

even if you are not sure what is causing your skin's dryness, you can still limit its impact with a good skincare routine for dry skin. Depending on the ingredients you choose for your skincare regimen, you can mitigate some of the effects of dry skin and start experiencing more smooth and healthy skin.

Think outside the box

When building a skincare routine for dry skin, it's important not to force yourself into a box. Dryness might be only one aspect of your skin's current story.

Only focusing on one skin concern might aggravate any other skin issues you experience - like sensitive skin or combination skin. You need to build a routine that contains ingredients specifically chosen for your specific skin issues. Take our free skin quiz now to get a comprehensive understanding of your skin plus personalised routine advice. 

At MyGloww, our focus will always be helping you look and feel amazing in your unique skin. We know that each person is different, that's why your skincare routine should reflect that. 

All you need to is tell us about your skin, and we take it from there. We can create a custom skincare routine for your unique skin, crafted just for you. Each ingredient in your custom skincare routine will be specifically chosen for its benefits for your unique skin.

The Best Skincare Routine For Dry Skin

We’ve put together simple steps needed for an effective skincare routine for dry skin. For dry skin, our general advice is to go for natural, plant-based ingredients rather than chemicals that may irritate your skin. It takes time to see improvement with dry skin, so be patient, and stay consistent with your routine to see the best results. 

Thinking about trying a new skincare routine for dry skin? Here are the products you need:

1. Cleanser

Always start your skincare routine with a cleanser, day or night. For dry skin, you should be seeking cleansers that will clean away impurities without dehydrating your skin. If it leaves your skin feeling tight and irritated, it’s not the right fit. Opt for gentle ingredients that leave your skin feeling supple and moisturised, and feel more hydrated. Cleanser ingredients should ideally be natural and plant-based and best for stripping away dirt, oil, and sebum that naturally accumulates throughout the day.

2. Exfoliant

Exfoliants help remove dead skin cells from your skin’s surface, leaving it feeling soft and smooth. For dry skin, exfoliation needs to be done gently to avoid irritating the skin. We love to use sustainable plant-based exfoliants like finely-milled walnuts, charcoal and banana powder.

3. Toner

Once you’ve cleansed and exfoliated, a toner can help add an extra boost of hydration (water) to your skin. Choosing a toner with specific nourishing and hydrating ingredients like floral waters can be great for dry skin.

4. Moisturiser

Arguably the most critical part of the dry skin routine, a good moisturiser can go a long way in relieving some of the impacts of dry skin. Moisturisation is the essential function of your skin. It seals in the water in your body, preventing dehydration. A good moisturiser should imitate and boost your skin's biological function by using water-sealing ingredients like shea butter and apricot oil, and active ingredients known for intense hydration like hyaluronic acid.

5. Oil serum

Oil serums are the perfect way to deliver a higher concentration of water-sealing essential fatty acids to your skin. Our oil serums are designed to help your skin seal in more moisture to help your skin feel more supple and soft.

6. Sunscreen/SPF

The last step in your daytime routine is sunscreen and makeup products with SPF. Sun damage can be an issue for dry skin and often exacerbate some of the effects, so it’s crucial to protect your skin. Sunscreen should always be your final step in your daytime beauty routine, and you can pair it with products such as an SPF foundation and/or a translucent powder with SPF for added protection.

Take your time

Skincare is not just about the skin on the outside but how you feel on the inside. Taking time to take care of your skin will help you feel more confident and empowered, and you’ll feel amazing when you see how much you glow! Dry skin might be frustrating, but it’s nothing you can’t conquer. With the right skincare routine, you’ll see the results fast as long as you consistently take the time out for yourself.