The Perfect Skincare Routine for Dry Skin, Recommended by Dermatologists

Fact checked by Anna HarrisReviewed by Lily Talakoub, MD, FAAD

The perfect skincare routine for dry skin does exist—and it's broken down into easy-to-follow steps ahead. We asked three dermatologists to explain what to do morning and night to keep skin hydrated and glowing. Keep reading to get their advice on what constitutes the best skincare routine for dry skin, from skincare ingredients to look for to things to avoid.

What Is Dry Skin?

"Dry skin means that your face can't protect itself as well as it should from the environment. When the skin is dry, it develops tiny cracks in the outer layer, interfering with its ability to maintain hydration properly," says dermatologist Joshua Zeichner.

"Especially if you have dry skin, your morning prep is important to get your skin ready for the day," he adds.

Meet the Experts

• Corey L. Hartman, MD is a board-certified dermatologist and the founder of Skin Wellness Dermatology in Birmingham, AL.

• Joshua Zeichner, MD, is an associate professor of dermatology and the director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City.

• Lian Mack, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and the founder of GlamDerm.
  

Dry Skin Ingredients to Look For

"The best moisturizing cream for dry skin will have a combination of emollients, humectants, and occlusives," says Hartman. Emollients are ingredients that are applied to the skin that add moisture to the skin barrier. Some common emollients are petrolatum, shea butter and cocoa butter. Occlusives add moisture to the skin and add a physical barrier between the skin to prevent transepidermal water loss, locking in the hydration added to the skin. Common occlusives include beeswax, argan oil, jojoba oil and mineral oil. Humectants work by attracting water from the air or deeper into the skin to add moisture to the skin barrier. Hyaluronic acid and glycerin are two of the most popular humectants."

Morning Skincare Routine

Step One: Non-Foaming Cleanser

When it comes to washing your face, the type of cleanser you choose is key. "Preparing your skin to face the day when it has a tendency to be dry should involve using a gentle, non-foaming cleanser," advises Mack. Look for one specifically made with hydrating ingredients. "These products remove dirt and oil without disrupting the outer skin layer the way that some foaming cleansers do," says Zeichner. Most of our favorites also happen to be from the drugstore.

Step Two: Vitamin C Serum

After cleansing, Mack suggests upping your moisture game even further with a vitamin C serum. "I recommend adding a vitamin C serum and layering hyaluronic acid on top for an extra surge of moisture," she says. "Hyaluronic acid is a well-known humectant for the skin, pulling water to it and ultimately reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles."

Step Three: Moisturizer

While for some a moisturizing SPF is enough hydration for the day, "if someone is really dry, consider applying a moisturizer prior to an SPF of 30 or higher," says Mack. When it comes to moisturizer shopping, "look for light moisturizers that contain ingredients that can soften rough cells, pull in hydration, and form a protective seal over the surface of the skin," Zeichner says. "Skin oil and skin hydration are two separate issues, and you can actually be way oily in the summer but also lacking hydration," he explains. Zeichner is a fan of Neutrogena's Hydro Boost Water Gel ($20). "This is jam-packed with hyaluronic acid, which is like a sponge that pulls in water... to hydrate and firm the skin," he says.

Byrdie Tip

Mack recommends applying your skincare products immediately after the shower or bath ("to help lock in moisture"), sleeping with a humidifier, and drinking at least 64 fl. oz. of water per day.

Step Four: SPF

Every skin type should be using SPF, and dry skin is no exception. "UV light and pollution cause free radical damage that leads to premature aging," says Zeichner. Those with dry skin should look for sunscreens that, of course, help the skin lock in moisture. "Rather than a straight sunscreen that you would use for the beach if you have dry skin, look for a moisturizer/sunscreen combo," says Zeichner.

To make sure you're getting proper coverage, look for an SPF that is 30 or higher (makeup with SPF isn't going to cut it), and make sure to re-apply every two hours.

Nighttime Skincare Routine

Step One: Cleansing Balm to Remove Makeup and SPF

The first step in your evening routine should be a cleansing balm or micellar water to remove makeup and SPF from the daytime.

Step Two: Hydrating Cleanser

After cleansing, apply hydrating serums and topicals that can help you further lock in moisture—and avoid those that might undermine your efforts. "If someone is extremely dry, avoid the use of vitamin A derivatives like retinoids and retinol, and reach for your hyaluronic acid serum," she says. "Couple that with a hydrating moisturizer."

Byrdie Tip

Don't over-exfoliate. "If you see flaky skin, exfoliating may be your gut reaction, but instead, get your skin what it needs—hydration," says Zeichner. If you must exfoliate, use a light exfoliant, like Tatcha's Rice Enzyme Powder ($68).

Step Three: Targeted Treatment Like Retinol or Spot Treatments

If you use an "active" ingredient such as retinol or a benzoyl peroxide spot treatment for breakouts, apply this as your first step after cleansing. And ideally, to avoid irritation, wait at least 20 minutes after cleansing and drying off before you apply your treatment. This will ensure that the skin is completely dry when you apply your active ingredients, which reduces dryness and irritation.

Step Four: Hydrating Serum Like Hyaluronic Acid

While you don't need to complete this step, using a hydrating serum is recommended by dermatologists if your skin is chronically dry and dehydrated. After applying your retinol or other targeted active, apply a hydrating serum such as hyaluronic acid to hydrate the skin. And pro tip: While it's ideal to apply your retinol to dry skin, hyaluronic acid is more effective when applied to damp skin. So we recommend misting your face after you have applied your retinol and before you apply your HA serum. If that feels too complicated, you can skip this step entirely or just apply your HA serum to dry skin—you'll still reap some hydrating benefits.

Step Five: Moisturizer

If you have dry skin, you should never skip moisturizer in your AM or PM routine, but it's particularly important to use it at night because that's when your skin enters its rest and recovery phase. "For anyone with dry skin, I recommend using a heavier moisturizer cream versus a lotion," says Hartman. "A thicker cream tends to have more occlusives, which are the most essential type of ingredient to look for if you have dry skin. A thicker cream will also last longer in the skin, whereas a lotion may dry out sooner."

Step Six (Optional): Face Oil

Optionally, you can choose to add a face oil as the last step in your evening routine. (Skip this step if your skin type is dry and acne-prone.) "Locking in your moisturizer with a face oil isn’t always necessary, but can be a nice added step at the end of your skincare routine to ensure that your moisturizer stays in the skin where it is needed most," says Hartman. "I only recommend locking in a facial oil if you’ve previously used a moisturizer—your skin needs the combination of a product that will add hydration to the skin. A facial oil is just going to help retain the water content within your skin."

Dry Skin Routine Tips

• Avoid Hot Water: While a steamy shower or hot bath may soothe the muscles, they can wreak havoc on dry skin. Contrary to the moisturizing benefits you might think you're getting, hot water can actually strip the skin of its natural oils, further exacerbating dry or sensitized skin. Instead, wash with warm water and apply hydrating products while the skin is still damp. Save occlusive ingredients for last, as these won't allow anything else to penetrate the skin barrier.

• Use Moisturizer While Your Skin Is Still Damp: Applying a moisturizer while your skin is still slightly damp will help lock in the water content, subsequently hydrating the skin more effectively.

• Add a Sheet Mask Once a Week: Using a hydrating sheet mask like the 111 Skin Cryo De-Puffing Mask ($32) once a week can do wonders for hydrating the skin.

• Be Careful With Retinol: Hartman recommends that those with dry skin start slow when it comes to retinol. "Use a retinol product 1-2 times a week for the first few weeks in order to give your skin time to adjust," he says. "Make sure you use a moisturizing product in both your morning routine (when you are not using retinol) and at night, in conjunction with your retinol. The 'retinol sandwich' method may be good for boosting the skin’s moisture level and limit some of the irritation that you might experience from retinol, but it will also lessen the effects of the retinol." If you want to reap the full benefits of retinol without irritating your skin, Hartman recommends applying to completely dry skin (wait at least 20 minutes after washing your face to apply).

• Avoid Products That Contain Alcohol: "Avoid anything with alcohol, as alcohol dries out the skin," says Hartman. "I also don’t recommend astringents like witch hazel in moisturizers either, as they can also dry out the skin."
  

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