When you're faced with dry skin, you want to find ways to boost moisture. But how should you do that? Cultivating the best skincare routine for dry skin depends heavily on what products you use. We’ve put together a skincare routine that will help you achieve healthy, balanced skin that's plump and supple.

What Is Dry Skin?

Dry skin (known as xerosis in scientific circles) is a condition that affects all ages. Symptoms may include itching, flaky skin, and a feeling of tightness that may even be painful. External factors — such as seasonal changes — typically exacerbate dry skin.

Dehydrated skin is often confused for dry skin, as they have overlapping symptoms. However, dry skin is a skin type that's due to a lack of natural oils while dehydrated skin is a temporary condition resulting from trans-epidermal water loss.

It's possible for those with oily skin to have dehydrated skin. So it's important to keep in mind that the skincare routine we're about to share for dry skin may not be completely fitting for anyone who is dealing with dehydration, especially if you're on the oilier side.

What a Skincare Routine for Dry Skin Should Include

To combat dry, tight skin, you'll want to build a routine that's full of nourishing, moisture-rich skincare products. You'll also want to focus on ingredients that fortify your skin's lipid barrier, which helps keep moisture in and acne-causing bacteria out.

1. Hydrating Cleanser

Look for a gentle cleanser that will leave your skin feeling clean and hydrated, rather than tight and uncomfortable. Seek a face wash with moisturizing ingredients such as vitamin E, glycerin, and hyaluronic acid. YORA's Rebalance Face Cleanser includes soothing chamomile and nourishing avocado oil to moisturize the skin while gently removing dirt, oil, and other impurities from the surface.

2. Hydrating Toner

After cleansing, you can follow up with a toner that will provide an added boost of hydration and rebalance your skin for the remainder of your routine. You can even apply multiple layers of your toner if you feel your skin needs it. Look for toners that have hydrating, soothing ingredients such as bamboo, cucumber, or chamomile.

3. Chemical Exfoliant

While a chemical exfoliant may sound harsh, it's actually a preferred method of removing dead skin cells from dry skin versus scrubs, which can be abrasive. Exfoliating at least once a week is beneficial if you have dry skin as it'll leave your complexion looking fresh while eliminating the risk of other issues, like breakouts.

Look for formulas with AHAs (alpha-hydroxy acids), as they'll exfoliate the surface without stripping skin of its natural moisture. Glycolic acid, lactic acid, and mandelic acid are examples of AHAs that work well for dry skin exfoliation.

4. Hydrating Serum

A face serum is a formula that contains a high volume of active ingredients. While we recommend you begin using serums regularly in your 30s, it's perfectly fine to start in your 20s if you feel your skin needs it. Hydrating serums are an excellent way to replenish your skin.

Hyaluronic acid is perhaps the most popular ingredient found in such serums. As a humectant, it's capable of drawing water from its surroundings and onto your skin. Thus, it’s ideal to apply this ingredient in humid conditions. Otherwise, if the air around you is lacking moisture, then hyaluronic acid will instead draw water from your skin, making your face even drier.

YORA's Dynamic Face Serum features a proprietary hyaluronic acid blend of PRIMALHYAL 50 and PrimalHyal™ 300 to plump and hydrate skin.

5. Eye Cream

If the delicate skin around or under your eye area is particularly dry, look for a specialized eye cream to help plump it up. YORA's Define Eye Contour is made with a proprietary hyaluronic acid blend of PRIMALHYAL 50 and PrimalHyal™ 300 plus seaweed extract to revitalize tired-looking eyes.

6. Facial Oil

Boost your moisturization with a facial oil, especially during the cold, dry winter months. A well-formulated oil will leave your skin feeling soft and smooth without leaving residue behind. YORA's Replenish Face Oil is infused with Co-Q10 and ANTILEUKINE 6®, which will not only moisturize your skin but also prevent signs of aging.

7. Moisturizing Face Cream or Lotion

Dry skin benefits from richer moisturizing face creams or lotions, as opposed to the lighter gels that work best for oily skin. Moisturizers with ceramides are especially ideal. Ceramides are your skin's natural moisturizing system that contribute to a strong lipid barrier, but they begin to deplete with age.

Fortunately, as a 2018 study from Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology discovered, moisturizers with ceramides are successful at mimicking the real thing, making it easier to replenish them. YORA’s Rebalance Facial Moisturizer has Ceramide 3, Ceramide 6 II, and Ceramide 1 to help repair and restore your lipid barrier while providing deep hydration.

8. Sunscreen

Cap your daytime routine with a sunscreen that not only provides ample protection from UVA and UVB rays but also features nourishing ingredients like hyaluronic acid or ceramides. Sunscreen is arguably the best anti-aging product you can use. A well-formulated one will leave your skin moisturized and soft while offering sufficient sun protection (anything over broad spectrum SPF 30).

9. Overnight Mask

Take advantage of your body's natural cell regeneration time as you sleep with an overnight face mask. Apply an overnight mask as the last part of your evening skincare regimen, then wash it off first thing in the morning for a more vibrant complexion to start your day. The YORA Revitalise Face Mask is made with a T.R.U.E. Active Complex, which includes traditional Chinese herbs that act as a barrier to moisturize the skin.

What a Skincare Routine for Dry Skin Should Not Include

To ensure that you're properly caring for your dry skin, make sure you're not incorporating these products or ingredients into your routine.

1. Most Alcohols

Alcohol in skincare isn't always a bad thing. For instance, fatty alcohols such as cetearyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol act as emulsifiers and allow your skin to retain moisture. However, you'll want to avoid products that have either denatured alcohol, ethyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, or benzyl alcohol. These are meant to help skincare products penetrate your skin more effectively but often at the cost of making your skin drier and more prone to breakouts.

2. Added Fragrance

Fragrances are added to skincare products to mask the natural musk of ingredients, which are often unpleasant. Unfortunately, fragrances — whether they're synthetic, natural, or from essential oils — can sensitize your skin, which can exacerbate symptoms of dryness. Look for products that are labeled fragrance-free, especially if you have dry, sensitive skin.

3. Astringent

Toners and astringents are commonly thought of as the same thing. While both products are applied after cleansing, astringents are designed to remove excess sebum from the skin. While all skin types can benefit from a good toner, astringents are best left to anyone with oily skin.

4. Foaming Cleansers

Foaming cleansers may look like a fun, effective way to clean your face, but they leave skin feeling drier. Sodium lauryl sulfate (or SLS) is the ingredient that's responsible for creating those foaming bubbles. But as this 1996 study from the University of Modena, Italy found, SLS can compromise the lipid barrier, leading to irritation and dryness. For dry skin, stick to cream or gel cleansers.

Other Good Skin Habits to Follow

In addition to procuring the right skincare products, make sure you're cultivating good habits as well. Here's what else you can do to keep your skin healthy and moisturized:

• If you're in a dry climate, place a humidifier in your home or office to add moisture to the air. For moments when you're out and about, a pocket mist, such as the YORA Refresh Face Mist, will leave your skin hydrated on the go.
• Shower in lukewarm water for no longer than 15 minutes. Hot water strips the skin of its natural oils, leading to peeling, cracking, ashiness, and a sunburn-like flush.
• Drink plenty of water. This 2015 study featured in the Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology Journal found that in patients with dry skin, increasing water intake could have the same effect on skin as applying a topical moisturizer.
• Visit a dermatologist or other healthcare professional if your dry skin symptoms persist. This will not only ensure proper treatment options (which may include prescription-strength products) but also determine if your dryness is due to an underlying medical condition.

Doing What's Best for Your Dry Skin

While it's typically not a cause for major concern, dry skin can leave you feeling uncomfortable and self-conscious of your visible flakes. Taking stock of your skin's needs, being mindful of the products you use, and practicing good habits will help you achieve a glowing, healthy complexion.