DRY SKIN
- Produces less sebum than normal.
- Feels tight, rough, or flaky.
- Can look dull or show fine lines easily.
Dry skin means your skin doesn’t produce enough sebum (oil) and often lacks both moisture (water) and lipids (fats) that keep the skin barrier soft, smooth, and flexible.
Because of this, the protective barrier (the outermost layer called the stratum corneum) becomes weak, allowing water to escape easily — a process called transepidermal water loss (TEWL).
This leads to tightness, flaking, and sensitivity.—–>read post
🌸 Characteristics of Dry Skin
Here’s how you can identify it:
- Feels Tight or Stiff
- Especially after cleansing or exposure to wind/cold.
- The skin may feel “pulled” when you smile or move your face.
- Rough or Flaky Texture
- Small, dry flakes may appear on the cheeks, forehead, or around the nose.
- Skin may feel uneven to the touch.
- Dull Appearance
- Lacks the natural oil that gives skin a glow.
- Looks tired or ashy, especially in winter.
- Fine Lines More Noticeable
- Dehydrated skin exaggerates fine lines and wrinkles.
- Especially visible around the eyes and mouth.
- Small or Invisible Pores
- Because of low sebum, pores appear smaller and less noticeable.
- Possible Sensitivity
- Dry skin is more prone to irritation, redness, and itching due to a weakened barrier.
⚙️ Causes of Dry Skin
Dry skin can result from internal (biological) or external (environmental) factors:
Internal Causes
- Genetics: Naturally low oil production runs in families.
- Aging: Oil glands slow down with age, reducing sebum.
- Hormonal changes: Especially post-menopause or thyroid imbalance.
- Dehydration: Not drinking enough water affects skin moisture.
External Causes
- Climate: Cold, windy, or low-humidity environments.
- Hot showers: Strip away natural oils from the skin.
- Harsh soaps or cleansers: Remove protective lipids.
- Over-exfoliating: Damages the skin barrier.
- Medications: Diuretics, retinoids, or acne drugs like isotretinoin can dry the skin.
🧴 Skincare Routine for Dry Skin
Morning Routine
- Gentle Hydrating Cleanser
- Avoid foaming or sulfate-based cleansers.
- Look for cream or milky cleansers with glycerin or hyaluronic acid.
- Hydrating Toner or Essence (optional)
- Helps lock in moisture after cleansing.
- Choose alcohol-free formulas.
- Moisturizing Serum
- Ingredients: hyaluronic acid, panthenol, or peptides.
- Apply while skin is still damp to trap moisture.
- Rich Moisturizer or Cream
- Look for ceramides, shea butter, or squalane to restore the barrier.
- Sunscreen (SPF 30+)
- Choose a moisturizing formula (cream or lotion-based, not gel).
Evening Routine
- Cleanser
- Use the same gentle cleanser from the morning.
- Hydrating Serum or Facial Oil (optional)
- Oils like jojoba, rosehip, or argan oil help seal in moisture.
- Barrier-Repair Moisturizer
- Containing ceramides, fatty acids, or cholesterol to strengthen the skin.
- Overnight Mask (2–3x a week)
- Deeply nourishes while you sleep — great for winter or very dry skin.
💧 Helpful Ingredients for Dry Skin
Function | Key Ingredients | How They Help |
Hydration (water-binding) | Hyaluronic acid, Glycerin, Aloe vera | Attract and retain moisture in skin |
Barrier Repair (oil & lipids) | Ceramides, Squalane, Shea butter | Restore skin’s protective layer |
Soothing | Panthenol (Vitamin B5), Allantoin, Oat extract | Reduce irritation, calm redness |
Protection | Niacinamide, Vitamin E | Strengthen barrier, protect from damage |
🚫 Avoid These for Dry Skin
- Alcohol-based toners – strip away oils.
- Harsh foaming cleansers – remove natural moisture.
- Strong exfoliants (daily scrubs or high % acids).
- Very hot showers or overwashing the face.
- Fragranced skincare – can irritate and dry the skin further.
🌤️ Lifestyle & Home Care Tips
- Use a humidifier in dry climates or air-conditioned rooms.
- Limit hot baths/showers to 5–10 minutes.
- Pat dry, don’t rub your face with a towel.
- Apply moisturizer immediately after washing to lock in water.
- Stay hydrated (drink water, eat fruits rich in water like cucumber and orange).
🩺 When to See a Dermatologist
If your dryness causes:
- Cracked, painful, or bleeding skin.
- Persistent flaking or scaling.
- Itching or burning sensations.
- Eczema, psoriasis, or dermatitis symptoms.
A dermatologist can prescribe medicated creams or barrier-repair treatments.
🌤 Morning Routine
Step | What to use | Why / key notes |
1. Cleanser | A gentle, non-foaming, hydrating cleanser (cream or milky texture) | Avoid stripping oils. Lukewarm water only. |
2. Hydrating serum / essence (optional) | A lightweight serum with humectants like Hyaluronic Acid or Glycerin | Attracts moisture into the skin. |
3. Moisturiser | A cream or lotion rich in barrier-repair lipids (e.g., Ceramides, squalane) | Locks in hydration & protects barrier. |
4. Sunscreen (SPF 30+) | Hydrating formula (cream/lotion) with broad-spectrum protection | Dry skin still needs full sun protection. |
🌙 Evening Routine
Step | What to use | Why / key notes |
1. Cleanser | Same gentle cleanser (or double-clean if makeup/masks used) | Clean without over-stripping. |
2. Hydrating serum or treatment | A richer serum: humectants + maybe peptides or niacinamide | Supports barrier repair overnight. |
3. Moisturiser / night cream | Thicker emollient cream or balm with ingredients like shea butter, dimethicone, occlusive lipids | Prevents water loss overnight. |
4. Optional: Overnight masque / oil (1-2×／week) | A sleeping pack or lightweight oil to seal barrier especially in dry climate | Extra boost when skin feels extra dry. |
💬 Summary
Dry skin = low oil + low moisture.
It feels tight, rough, or flaky, and often looks dull.
To manage it: use gentle cleansers, rich moisturizers, and avoid stripping products.
The goal is to hydrate, nourish, and protect your skin barrier every day.