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.

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. 

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. 

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