Welcome back to another Masterclass! If you are new here, be sure to check out my Skincare 101 blog first in order to get the basics of your routine covered. This guide will cover dry skin treatments for the face plus bonus info for the body as well! As we transition from Summer into Fall, the not-so-fun flaky skin begins to creep up on us. Let’s be sure to take our dewy, fresh skin into the colder months!
When I was working at the spa, this was the NUMBER 1 complaint I heard from people. Whether or not I diagnosed their skin as dry, or simply just using the wrong products, I quickly came to realize that no one likes that tight feeling on their skin. We are all on the search for perfectly plump and hydrated skin…
Not sure about your skin type?
*Disclaimer: As I cannot see, touch, or feel your skin, it is difficult to provide the best recommendations. I do my best by supplying numerous options, but it takes time to discover what works best for your skin. If more personalized advice is desired, please contact me!*
What does Dry Skin look like
This may seem like a real no-brainer, but honestly dry skin is often confused with dehydrated skin. Although it may not ultimately matter that much when it comes to products you are using, dehydrated skin is simply a condition whereas dry is a skin type! Dry skin lacks oil, unlike dehydrated skin which lacks water.
Dry skin is characterized by flaky, red, rough texture. It can be irritated or itchy as well. This skin type can seem easy to treat, however just slapping on a thick cream doesn’t do quite enough. The lack of oil production means there must be consistent addition of oil based products into a skincare routine.
Common Sin- I’m going to say this once and only once, pure coconut oil doesn’t hydrate your skin. The molecule size is entirely too big to penetrate and ends up sitting on the surface and clogging your pores. So please…keep reading for better options and cure your dry skin!
*A lot of people notice that their skin changes with the weather and feels more dry as the weather becomes colder and less humid. Whether or not you feel dry skin all year round or just every once and a while, check out these treatments:
Serums for Dry Skin
What are serums?
Serums are water based products to target a specific skin condition or type. They absorb into the skin quickly and can be gel-like, sticky, or feel almost like water. Typically, they are applied first after cleansing and before your moisturizer. There are so many types of serums and it can take a while to find the perfect one for your skin, but looking for certain ingredients help when you feel overwhelmed. So please consult my table below:
| Ingredients to look for: |
| Hyaluronic Acid |
| Glycerin |
| Ceramides |
| Plant Oils |
| Squalane |
| PHAs |
| Butters |
| Fatty alcohols |
| Aloe Vera |
| Occlusive ingredients such as Dimethicone |
Serums are often the skincare products that include some form of exfoliation. You can choose a toner or a serum version, but in this blog I am going to recommend toners specifically. Dry skin treatments should still include exfoliating, but typically a little less often than other skin types. This also depends on sensitivity level.
My Pricing Guide for All Budgets
| $ | $$ | $$$ |
| $1-$20 | $21-$49 | $50+ |
Best Exfoliating Toners for Dry Skin:
$ The INKEY List PHA Gentle Exfoliating Toner: 3% PHA to gently exfoliate skin, removes dead skin for brighter complexion and includes niacinamide to keep skin balanced
$ Klavuu Green Pearlsation PHA Calming Toner: Alcohol free toner to gently exfoliate with other calming ingredients, K Beauty product
$$$ Peter Thomas Roth PRO Strength 10% PHA Exfoliating Clarifying Liquid: From their new pro collection, this includes a much more potent amount of exfoliating PHA, AHA and BHA. This is great for less sensitive dry skin types who want an extra punch of anti-aging or acne fighting ingredients. Use with caution
Best Hydrating Serums for Dry Skin:
$ The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5: Hyaluronic acid is non-exfoliating and holds 1000x its weight in water! Use on damp skin and press in before your moisturizer. This option is a bit stickier and thicker, use AM and PM
$$ Krave Beauty Great Barrier Relief Serum: Fragrance free, essential oil free for even the most sensitive skin, uses conditioning oils to hydrate skin in a creamy, delicious texture. Use all over face or just where needed, AM and PM
$$ Dear, Klairs Rich Moist Soothing Serum: includes Hyaluronic acid as well as plenty of other hydrating plant extracts and oils to calm AM and PM, lightweight texture, K beauty product
Oils for Dry Skin Treatment
What is a Facial Oil?
Facial oils are oil based serums that are packed with ingredients to hydrate and improve skin conditions. Oils are meant to be more occlusive and applied last in your routine, or they can be mixed in with your moisturizer. I think that a good facial oil can be the ultimate game changer for dry skin!
Best Oils for Dry Skin:
$ The Ordinary 100% Plant-Derived Squalane: exceptionally hydrating with a straightforward and potent formula. Use PM, or as needed
$ The INKEY List Rosehip Nourishing Night Oil: antioxidant properties to hydrate and heal skin. Use PM, or as needed
$$$ Herbivore Botanicals Emerald Hemp Seed Deep Moisture Glow Oil: uses hemp seed, squalane, and adaptogens to not only hydrate but calm and relieve redness. Rich but sinks in nicely. Use PM, or as needed
Masks for Dry Skin:
Why Face Masks Help
Face masks are a great supplemental product to use a 1-3 times weekly. Choose a calming or reparative mask to help when your skin is really dying for hydration! These are perfect for instant relief on severely dry skin where nothing seems to be enough to calm it.
Best Hydrating Masks for Dry Skin:
$ Neutrogena Hydroboost Sheet Mask: Gel sheet mask option for a cooling and refreshing feeling to the skin, uses glycerin and hyaluronic acid to increase moisture, use twice weekly
$$ Origins Hello Calm Relaxing & Hydrating Face Mask: Soothing and hydrating with plant extracts and oils, includes hemp seed oil and omega fatty acids, stays damp on skin, use twice weekly
$$ Youth to the People Superberry Hydrate + Glow Dream Mask with Vitamin C: an overnight option to brighten and improve hydration, uses squalane and fruit extracts, sinks into skin as final step before bed and rinsed off in the AM, use as needed
$$$ Peter Thomas Roth Cucumber Gel Mask Extreme Detoxifying Hydrator: feels so cooling on the skin like a layer of aloe, gel texture absorbs and stays on skin during use, uses cucumber, papaya, and chamomile to calm even the most irritated dry skin, use as needed
An Exfoliating Option:
$$$ Ole Henrikson PHAT Glow Facial Mask: Uses PHAs to gently exfoliate the skin while pink clay absorbs impurities. If you like your masks to be more potent, this is a good option. Use 1-2 times weekly, not on the same night you use an exfoliating toner
Hydrating from Face to Body
Not only do we experience irritated dry skin on our face, but we often see it throughout our body. We may simply have a loss of moisture in the skin due to harsh products, weather or other internal/external reasons. Other times we may be plagued by a skin condition such as Eczema or Psoriasis, which usually needs intervention from a professional.
Eczema: “the name for a group of conditions that cause the skin to become itchy, inflamed, or have a rash-like appearance.“ Very common, affecting over 31 million Americans! (Source)
Psoriasis: “an immune-mediated disease (a disease with an unclear cause that is characterized by inflammation caused by dysfunction of the immune system) that causes inflammation in the body. There may be visible signs of the inflammation such as raised plaques (plaques may look different for different skin types) and scales on the skin“ (Source). Less common, but affecting more than 8 million Americans!
Dry Skin treatments for the body
$ Eucerin Eczema Relief Cream, very rich cream that uses colloidal oatmeal to calm and protect, use daily or as needed on eczema flare ups/severely dry skin
$ CeraVe Moisturizing Cream, the perfect daily moisturizer that can also be used on the face! Ultra hydrating, but more lightweight
$$ Farmhouse Fresh Body Oils, my favorite body oils ever! Super rich and delicious smells, uses hydrating plant oils and extracts, perfect for sensitive or dry legs
$$ Necessaire The Body Exfoliator, your body needs exfoliation too! Use weekly to remove buildup of skin and flakiness, gentle and hydrating
More body care faves here, perfect for dry skin treatments!
Class Wrap-up
Overall, I hope this breakdown of products helps you understand how to treat your dry skin. You can choose to add in one serum, or a weekly face mask. You also may be especially intrigued by a luscious face oil…either way, this can be the change your skin needs!
Going into Fall and Winter this year shouldn’t be an uncomfortable situation. Don’t overspend and choose products in your budget to make your skin feeling HYDRATED AF. Which of these stand out to you that you want to incorporate into your routine? Comment below!
Face masks are very relaxing to me. Some of the ones you mention sound so soothing!
I love a good face mask! Make sure to take time for yourself and have a nice spa day!
So many awesome rec’s for dry + dehydrated skin! My skin is definitely on the dry side, so I’m all about adding moisture into my routine!
-Ashley
Le Stylo Rouge
Thank you so much for reading! I hope you get to try some of these products 🙂