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Determining your skin type can be difficult. And it’s made even more difficult considering that texture and type change due to a variety of factors – whether it’s environmental factors including weather, or the fact that the skin care products you use can cause changes over time. If your skin is dry, it can be more than just a feeling of tightness and dry patches – it can often be a sign of a compromised skin barrier, which is why it’s important to find the best skin care routine for your skin type.
The outermost layer of our skin has a huge job of controlling what enters and leaves the skin – environment, lifestyle and harsh skin care products can easily disrupt this. Dry skin results from it not being able to keep itself hydrated, soothed or nourished.
“Dry skin is caused by a lack of sebum (oil) in the skin, a lack of the skin’s natural moisturizing factors, and a weakened barrier,” explains beauty expert and skin educator Katie Onyejekwe. “This is often accompanied by dehydration as the skin then struggles to retain water.”
Physician Dr. Sophie Humble explains that beyond the skin barrier, both internal and external factors often play an important role. “Dry skin can be the result of environmental factors like cold weather, low humidity and hot water bathing or internal factors like genetics, aging and certain medical conditions like eczema or hypothyroidism,” she says. Using harsh cleansers and physical or chemical exfoliants only makes matters worse, leaving the skin dry and irritated.
Whether your dryness is internal or external, moisturizers are your best friend to reduce discomfort and help the skin heal over time. Choosing one can be overwhelming (not all moisturizers will work the way you need them to), so we asked two experts for their advice to learn about the ingredients and methods, as well as the best moisturizers for dry skin they recommend.
meet the experts
- Katie Onijekwe: An esthetician and skin educator with over 13 years of experience teaching the beauty industry through masterclasses, video training, and editorials, and founder of the Facial Forum community of solo facialists.
- Dr. Gail Humble, MD: The physician and medical director of the Aesthetic Anti-Aging Institute has published more than 30 research articles in medical journals surrounding skin care and the aging process.
Which skin care ingredients help dry skin?
When it comes to repairing and hydrating dry skin, both experts recommend that you first assess the skin barrier. Any itching, redness, rough texture, or breakouts are a clear sign that your barrier needs help. “Ceramides are essential for a strong skin barrier, helping to hold skin cells together and improving water retention,” says Onyejekwe.
“Cholesterol is also important as a naturally occurring lipid in the skin barrier, which helps strengthen the barrier and replenish the skin’s natural lipid composition, which is great for dry skin.” She also recommends cholesterol-lowering, omega fatty acids (found in oils like rosehip and sunflower), and squalane oil, all of which strengthen the lipid barrier and help the skin retain moisture. “Squalene is especially good because it mimics the skin’s natural sebum, softening while still being lightweight.”
Dr. Humble says the combination of water-binding humectants and lipid emollients is important. “Look for products that contain humectants like hyaluronic acid and glycerin to help draw water into the skin. Combine these with emollients like ceramides, shea butter, or squalane to strengthen the barrier and prevent excess moisture loss,” she advises. Occlusives are a third type of ingredient for moisturization, which create a barrier on the skin to lock in moisture.
Dr. Humble warns against certain ingredients that can make dryness worse. She advises, “Avoid alcohol-based products, which can further strip away moisture; fragrances, which can cause irritation or sensitivity; and avoid overusing strong exfoliants like AHAs, BHAs, or physical scrubs.”
What is the best skin care routine for dry skin?
Moisturizers should be placed at the center of a dry skin routine, supported by gentle, hydrating steps. “The best strategy is to create a layer of hydration and top it off with an occlusive, emollient cream or oil,” says Onyejekwe. She suggests starting with a cream, oil or balm cleanser, followed by a hydrating essence, an antioxidant serum, and then a nourishing cream. Facial oil can also be added underneath moisturizer to boost glow, although Onigekwe recommends leaving time to apply it before sunscreen to avoid disrupting its protective film.
Dr. Humble agrees that gentle cleansing and layering are important. “Start with a creamy, non-foaming cleanser, followed by a hydrating toner and a serum with hyaluronic acid, ceramides or peptides. Layer on your chosen active before applying a rich moisturizer and hydrating sunscreen. In the evening, follow with a mild AHA, lactic acid, under moisturizer once or twice, to seal in hydration overnight. Use a nourishing cream and/or facial oil. Week.”
Dealing with dry skin is a routine-wide approach, but moisturizers do most of the heavy lifting. Read on for the best moisturizers for dry skin, according to experts.
What are the best face moisturizers for dry skin?
List of Bio-Active Ceramide Moisturizers
Haru Haru Wonder Black Rice 5 Ceramide Cream
Biossance Squalane and Omega Repair Cream
Tatcha Dewy Skin Cream
Dr Jart+ Ceramidin Skin Barrier Moisturizing Cream
Why can you trust IndyBest US reviews?
indiebest us The ultimate destination for product reviews IndependentThese are all the result of real-world testing. ava welsing-kitcher is a beauty editor based in Los Angeles. They have over a decade of experience and abundant knowledge when it comes to products that work (and, importantly, don’t). She has consulted with and learned from skin care experts including renowned dermatologists, cosmetic scientists and leading aestheticians. In turn, she helps people understand the science and structure of their skin – often from her personal experience with skin problems, such as a combination of dryness and oiliness, sensitivity and dermatitis.