Any skin type can be dehydrated, and most people suffer from this condition, which can be turned around through diet and skin products. Dry skin, however, consists of having irritated, lacklustre, flaky skin that often feels tight and appears to have a grey outer layer, which is actually dry skin build-up. If this sounds like your skin type, read on to learn some natural dry skin tips. 

Top Dry Skin Tips

Avoid extreme temperatures both indoors and outdoors, as well as harsh, cold wind. There are ways to make dry skin more manageable and less irritating by supplementing with vitamin D, collagen, vitamin C, omega oils and hyaluronic acid, as well as having a soothing and moisturizing skincare routine. An optimal skin care regimen for dry skin includes a cleanser, serum, eye cream, face cream and SPF that contains important nutrients that will soothe dry skin and protect it from the elements. Treatments such as a gentle exfoliator and mask can also support dry skin when used sparingly and over time, and can help bring vitality back to your complexion. 

Dry Skin Supporting Ingredients

Hyaluronic Acid

Hyaluronic acid (HA) isn’t as scary as it sounds. It’s naturally occurring in the body and provides hydration to the skin. HA provides hydration as well as plumps up the skin, which can even help soften wrinkles and fine lines. However, as a humectant, the skin needs to be dampened with water or a water skin spray when applying products containing hyaluronic acid. This way, the HA can draw that water into the skin, rather than drawing water from the skin, which would further dehydrate the skin. HA is an ingredient that anyone can benefit from, but for those with dry skin, this is an ingredient that will boost your skins deeper level hydration, while other ingredients can help your skins barrier and soothe dry skin.

Product Recommendation: Hyaluronic Acid Cleanser

Glycerin

Glycerin is also a humectant; therefore, it draws water to it and into the skin. Like HA, it’s important that the skin is damp before using products with this ingredient so that water can hydrate the skin, rather than glycerin drawing water from the skin. Glycerin is a great ingredient for those with dry skin because it can help with inflammation, which many people with dry skin feel, and it helps hydrate the skin at a deeper level.

Product Recommendation: Glycerin, Shea & Cocoa butter + Aloe Face Cream

Plant Butter’s

Plant butters like Shea butter, Cocoa butter, Jojoba butter are great ingredients for dry skin. They are emollients, which make them absorb well into the skin. Skin creams with these ingredients are often thicker, which soothes and nourishes dry skin, and helps moisturize well.

Product Recommendation: Shea Butter Eye Cream

Ceramides, Omega-3 fatty acids

These are great ingredients that protect the barrier of skin. When the skin's barrier is intact, it locks in moisture and hydration, which helps against transepidermal water loss. Because of this, ceramides, glycerin, and omega-3 ingredients help keep skin supple and plump, soften skin and support irritation and flakiness associated with dry skin.

Shopping Tips For Dry Skin Products

When shopping for your skin care regimen, natural ingredients are often the better choice because many artificial ingredients can further irritate dry skin. When looking for these ingredients, look for products such as a milk cleanser to provide further moisture, a hyaluronic serum to help hydrate the skin on a deeper level, a rich cream for eyes and face to provide relief and to soothe dry skin, a moisturizing treatment mask and a gentle, yet hydrating exfoliator to use once a week. These weekly treatments can further moisturize skin and slough away dry skin build up on the surface to allow ingredients to better penetrate the skin. However, be sure to over-exfoliate the skin as it will strip it of its natural moisture barrier.