How to Deal With Dry Skin

Is your skin often dry, dull and prone to fine lines? Then you likely have dry skin!

Here’s how to get it hydrated, smooth and glowing.

Is Your Skin Dry or Dehydrated?

Before you invest in skincare products designed for dry skin, it’s important to know whether your skin is dry or lacking in water and therefore dehydrated. Dehydrated skin will look dry and feel tight, especially after cleansing and even after you’ve applied moisturiser. Dry skin is lacking in oil, which means it tends to be rough and possibly flaky, and if you dab it with a tissue, you’ll notice there’s no oily residue. Dry skin can also become irritated owing to a lack of sebum, which not only acts as a natural moisturiser but also forms a barrier on the skin’s surface, protecting it against infection and pollutants.

Sorry, this product is currently out of stock.

E45 E45 Moisturising Cream for Dry Skin 350g £11.99

Superdrug Superdrug Dry Skin Relief Cream 500g £0.50

CeraVe CeraVe Moisturising Cream - Dry to Very Dry Skin 177ml £7.65 Black Friday! Save 1/3 on selected Cerave

My Skin is Dry

The Best Ingredients For Dry Skin

Ingredients such as manuka honey, hyaluronic acid and glycerin are best for dry skin. Manuka honey absorbs and retains moisture, keeping skin hydrated. Both hyaluronic acid and glycerin act like a sponge, attracting and drawing moisture into the skin.

The Best Cleansers For Dry Skin

Cream, milk or gel-based cleansers are best for dry skin as they’re the gentlest. Make sure they don’t contain alcohol, which can cause further drying.

Skincare For Dry Skin

Dry skin tends not to get as many spots or blemishes as other types, but it is more prone to fine lines and wrinkles, especially around the eye area. So choose eye creams that are targeted to deal with anti-ageing and apply them as the first step in your routine.

Follow the eye cream with a serum – preferably containing hyaluronic acid – and then apply a moisturiser; choose one with glycerin to prevent moisture from escaping.

If your skin is in need of an additional moisture boost, apply a drop of oil on top of the moisturiser in areas that are dry or prone to dryness and massage in. This will help the moisturiser penetrate into your skin and make it more effective.

Best Makeup For Dry Skin

Heavy foundation on dry skin can look quite cakey and often dry it out even more. A BB cream is a good alternative, as it acts as a primer, moisturiser and foundation in one and usually contains an SPF to fight the sun’s wrinkle-causing rays.

For dark circles, choose a concealer with added skincare benefits. When choosing eyeshadows and blushers, use cream formulations rather than powders, which can be tricky to blend on dry skin.

My Skin is Dehydrated

How to Deal with Dehydrated Skin

Dehydrated skin is a condition rather than a skin type, which means that any skin type can suffer from it. Here are the best ingredients and products to use if your skin is lacking in moisture…

The Best Ingredients For Dehydrated Skin

Dehydrated skin needs products that will replace lost moisture. Look for ones containing hyaluronic acid, which locks in moisture and helps to get rid of fine lines by plumping out skin. Glycerin is another key ingredient for dehydrated skin as it attracts moisture and is particularly beneficial in night creams.

The Best Cleansers For Dehydrated Skin

Look for hydrating, nourishing cleansers, usually cream or milky formulas, which will cleanse skin without stripping it of the much-needed moisture it needs. Micellar water is also suitable for dehydrated skin.

A lot of cleansers tend to strip moisture from the skin, which contributes to dehydration. The skin should never feel dry or tight after cleansing – it should simply feel fresh.

Skincare For Dehydrated Skin

Again, it’s vital to look for products that will restore and replenish the skin’s moisture. Applying a rich, thick moisturiser before you go to sleep will also help replenish lost moisture in the skin. Carry a facial mist infused with vitamin E that you can spritz over skin throughout the day to rehydrate it.

Best Makeup For Dehydrated Skin

Opt for a light, hydrating primer that will absorb instantly into the skin yet still provide long-lasting moisturisation. For foundation, look for one containing hyaluronic acid, which will help keep skin hydrated.

Shop Dry/Dehdrated Skincare