Key Points
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Some ways to keep dry skin feeling and looking replenished is to use sunscreen, moisturizer, and several other products.
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Certain ingredients in skin treatments need to be avoided if you're using skincare products for dry skin.
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Some of the best skincare products for dry skin include hydrating cleansers and gentle toners.
You've spent all afternoon hanging out with your girlfriends and you notice something they all have in common: beautiful, dewy, glowing skin. You get home and look in the mirror and one thing stands out — your skin does not look anything like theirs. It's dull, flaky, and itchy. There is hope, though! There are amazing skincare products for dry skin out on the market that specifically target moisturizing and nourishing flaky, dehydrated skin.
If your skin is on the chapped side, you know how frustrating it is to find formulas that don't irritate. Parched skin needs extra hydration and soothing care to feel comfortable and look its best, but with so many products to choose from, it's hard to know where to start. This article introduces you to top-rated skincare products for dry skin and tips on how to care for your skin to keep it feeling soft and smooth.
Whether you have chronic xerosis or just experience occasional flakiness, these solutions are sure to become staples in your skincare routine.
Tips To Rejuvenate Dry Skin
Say goodbye to dehydrated, dull skin and hello to a radiant, glowing complexion with a few easy tips. By incorporating these steps into your daily regimen, you'll see major improvements in the look and feel of your skin.
Moisturize Regularly
Use a moisturizing solution that is appropriate for your skin type and apply it immediately after showering or washing your face to seal in nourishment.
Avoid Hot Water
Hot water strips the skin of its natural oils, so try to use lukewarm water or cold water instead.
Use a Humidifier
Using a humidifier helps add moisture to the air which helps to soothe the skin. Those with dry skin should use a humidifier daily for the best results.
Drink Plenty of Water
Staying hydrated from the inside out leaves your skin glowing and looking healthy. A daily intake of around three liters of water is recommended for women and about four liters for men.
Avoid Harsh Soaps
Harsh soaps strip the skin of its natural oils, so try to use a gentle soap instead. Dove Sensitive Skin Unscented Beauty Bar is a great, delicate soap that isn't rough on dry skin. It leaves the skin feeling clean without sacrificing hydration.
Protect Your Skin From The Sun
Use sunscreen with at least SPF 30 to protect your skin from the sun's damaging rays. It's best to apply sunscreen every day before going out and to reapply every two hours.
Exfoliate Gently
Exfoliating aids in removing dead skin cells which is an essential part of a healthy skincare routine. However, be sure to use a gentle exfoliator to avoid damaging chapped skin.
Ingredients To Avoid for Dry Skin
When it comes to skincare, picking the right products is crucial for maintaining healthy, hydrated skin. If you have flaky skin, it's especially important to be mindful of the ingredients in your skincare treatment and avoid those that are irritating.
Some skincare ingredients should be avoided if you have dry skin that is prone to flaking. Understanding which ingredients to steer clear of allows you to choose products that leave you looking and feeling more vibrant.
Alcohol
Alcohol strips the skin of its natural oils, leading to dryness and irritation. Solvent alcohols like SD alcohol 40, denatured alcohol, ethanol, and isopropyl alcohol — also known as simple alcohols — all have a dehydrating effect on the skin and are often used in toners and gel moisturizers.
Sulfates
Sulfates are foaming agents that also strip the skin of its natural oils, causing discomfort and inflammation. Sulfates are commonly found in cleansers. To avoid drying out your skin with a cleanser containing sulfate, be sure to check the ingredients list on products before making your purchase.
Fragrance
Fragrance may be irritating to the skin, especially for those with parched skin. Look for products that are labeled fragrance-free.
Benzoyl Peroxide
Benzoyl peroxide is an ingredient commonly found in acne treatments, but it leads to swelling and rashes for those with dehydrated skin.
Astringents
Astringents are designed to remove excess oil from the skin, but they're a bit too drying for those with flaky skin. If you have dry skin, sticking to a gentle toner instead of an astringent is the best option for your skin type.
Best Skincare Products for Dry Skin
It's easy to find top-notch skincare products that quench your skin's thirst and give you a glowing complexion. From luxurious serums to hydrating gels, these skincare picks leave the skin feeling soft, smooth, and happy. Sit back, relax, and get ready to discover the perfect items for giving your xerosis-stressed skin the care it deserves.
Effective Cleansers for Dry Skin
When looking for cleansers, pick ones that are meant for parched skin. Cleansers that contain ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin help lock in your skin's moisture.
Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser is a non-irritating cleanser designed with skin-soothing ingredients that don't strip the skin of its natural oils.
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Cleanser Gel is created with hyaluronic acid to keep the skin quenched while cleansing.
La Roche-Posey Toleraine Hydrating Gentle Cleanser is excellent for chapped, sensitive skin and is developed with hydrating ingredients like glycerin and aloe vera.
Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cleanser is a creamy formula that includes glycerin and avocado oil to strengthen the skin.
Olay Regenerist Advanced Anti-Aging Pore Scrub Cleanser gently scrubs the face by using microbeads. They exfoliate the skin without stripping it of its natural oils.
Top-Rated Toners for Dry Skin
Toner restores the natural pH balance of the skin, which may be disrupted by the use of harsh soaps or cleansers. They're created with ingredients like antioxidants, anti-inflammatory compounds, or other active ingredients that nourish and protect the skin.
For dry skin, toner is particularly beneficial because it adds hydration and moisture to the skin. Many toners developed for dry skin contain ingredients like glycerin, hyaluronic acid, or aloe vera that attract and retain moisture in the skin.
Kiehl's calendula Herbal Extract Alcohol-Free Toner is made with calendula and other calming ingredients to gently refresh and hydrate the skin.
Caudalie Beauty Elixir is a refreshing toner that includes ingredients like grape extract, rosewater, and orange blossom to condition the skin.
La Roche-Posay Thermal Spring Water is enriched with minerals and is an excellent option for flaky skin.
Best Serums for Dry Skin
Using a serum helps address specific skincare concerns, like dryness and irritation. Serums provide an extra boost of moisture to your skin. Below are some of the best serums for parched skin that help nurture and improve the appearance of tightness and redness.
These serums are packed with ingredients like hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and vitamin C which plumps, strengthens, and brightens the skin. Whether you're looking for a serum to use alone or as part of your skincare routine, the following options are sure to provide the hydration and nourishment your skin needs.
The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 is infused with vitamin B5 to aid in soothing and improving the appearance of flakiness.
Kiehl's Ultra Facial Serum is a softening serum that uses ingredients like squalane and glycerin to help smooth and strengthen dehydrated skin.
Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Niacinimide Dew Drops uses vegan ingredients to combat hyperpigmentation on the skin. It offers a dewy, reflective glow without giving off a gray cast or too much sparkle.
Great Moisturizers for Dry Skin
When you're on the lookout for products for flaky skin, look for thick and creamy products because these consistencies tend to be more hydrating.
Tatcha The Dewy Skin Cream Plumping & Hydrating Moisturizer is infused with Japanese purple rice for a dewy, healthy glow. It's a fan favorite for its effective plumping hydration.
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel is a lightweight, oil-free moisturizer that contains hyaluronic acid that works to plump the skin.
Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream is developed with amino peptides and niacinamide to improve the appearance of dry, tight skin, and fine lines.
Kiehl's Ultra Facial Moisturizing Cream is enriched with squalane and apricot kernel oil. These ingredients strengthen the skin's barrier function and improve hydration. This moisturizer also consists of antioxidants to relieve dry, ashy skin.
First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream Intense Hydration is designed with shea butter to nourish the skin. Derived from the nuts of the shea tree, shea butter is known for its rich, creamy texture and ability to deeply moisturize the skin. It's made with several beneficial compounds, including fatty acids, vitamins, and antioxidants which help revitalize, support, and protect the skin.
Hydrating Sunscreens
It's important to choose a sunscreen that doesn't strip your skin of healthy oils and to apply it generously and evenly to all exposed skin. Sunscreen should be reapplied every two hours, or immediately after swimming or sweating. Pick a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30.
Hawaiian Tropic Silk Hydration Weightless Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30 contains shea butter, coconut oil, and other rejuvenating ingredients to provide hydration to the skin.
Alba Botanica Sunscreen SPF 45 is a great protecting sunblock that is developed with natural ingredients to revive and replenish the skin's moisture while also protecting it.
Sun Bum Original Moisturizing Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50 is a vegan formula that contains aloe vera, cocoa butter, and vitamin E which are all beneficial for those with flaking skin.
Embrace the Skin You Live In!
Dry skin is a common and frustrating skin concern, but with the right skincare routine and products, it's possible to effectively manage and improve the appearance of tightness and inflammation that comes with this condition.
Proper hydration is key to smooth skin, so be sure to choose a gentle cleanser, use a toner to restore the skin's pH balance, and apply a moisturizer to lock in hydration. Incorporating a serum into your regimen provides an extra boost of care and targets specific concerns such as fine lines and uneven skin tone.
Defeat dryness with the right skincare habits and treatments. Nourished, hydrated, and healthy skin is within your reach!