Best Dry Skin Care of 2024

You’ve done nothing but sleep at night, but natural facial oils will still accumulate on your skin, and whatever was on your pillow will also stick to your face.

“Those with dry skin may not need to wash their face with a cleanser twice a day,” Dr. Brendan Campsays MD, FAAD, double board-certified dermatologist. “Rinsing your face with water in the morning may be enough without putting your skin at risk of becoming too dry. Overuse of cleansers or oil-stripping ingredients such as salicylic acid can strip the skin of its oiliness and predispose it to dryness.”

However, if you feel the need to do a full cleanse in the morning, Amin recommends a gentle cleanser in the morning, opting for something foamier at night to “remove sunscreen and allow for a fresh start at night.” » Just avoid hot water, which can make dry skin worse. And while some skin types benefit from using a toner after cleansing, you can probably skip it if you have dry skin.

Exfoliation is an important step in skin care, especially if you have dry skin, as it helps remove excess dead skin cells. The buildup of these dead skin cells can lead to breakouts, and even dehydrated skin can still result in breakouts. acne, a skin problem that deserves a separate treatment. When it comes to exfoliation, there are two types: chemical and physical. The first option typically involves using acids to penetrate the skin and break down skin cells, while the second uses a physical exfoliant as an abrasive to manually remove dead skin cells that you would otherwise see as flaking.

People with dry skin may benefit more from chemical exfoliants, as abrasions can irritate the skin and cause sensitivity. If you’re going to go the physical exfoliation route, just buy something gentle and not those harsh apricot scrubs you used as a pimple-prone teenager. As Camp reiterates, “Use exfoliators sparingly to avoid skin irritation and worsening dryness,” because worsening dry skin can lead to eczema.

After you wash your face, but to you moisturize, consider using a serum. These are highly concentrated skin care products that give your face an extra boost of everything it needs. “Apply a hydrating serum, such as a hyaluronic acid serum, after washing to improve the penetration of hydrating ingredients,” says Camp. You don’t need a lot of serum, usually just a drop or two to get the full effect, and it really enhances the effectiveness of the rest of the skincare products you use in your routine.

Dry skin craves moisture, so it makes sense that a facial moisturizer or lotion may be the most important step in your daily routine. Amin recommends that you use a “rich moisturizer,” which should contain emollients, occlusives, and humectants such as hyaluronic acid and glycerin to increase moisture and smoothness of the skin. Anything too light, which usually works well for people with oily skin, may not work well. Provides nutrition needed for dry skin. Additionally, being fragrance-free is key to preventing skin irritation.

Anyone with skin, regardless of skin type, should use sunscreen. In addition to harmful UV rays, the sun can dry out your skin, making it worse. A good sunscreen will act as a second moisturizer, but no matter what you choose, we’re just glad you’re putting on some SPF. Pro tip: Use sunscreen after your moisturizer (this applies to your morning skincare routine) so it acts as an external barrier to UV rays when you’re exposed to sunlight.

While not necessary, sheet masks provide extra hydration to your skin and remind you to take a few minutes to relax and engage in your self-care routine. Hyaluronic acid is your friend, so find a sheet mask that adds a ton of that goodness to your mug, because hydrating your skin is no joke.