While we all know that dry skin is a common skin type, which occurs when the skin's outermost layer (the epidermis) does not contain enough oil to hold the moisture in, we often struggle with finding the proper care and skin routine for it. Dry skin has the tendency to flake, crack, itch and get rough at times, and is usually dependent on a range of factors from genetics, temperature, humidity, etc. Moreover, using harsh chemicals or the incorrect products over time can dry it out even more. However, just like every cloud has a silver lining, having dry skin means that you have smaller pores, so your skin does not end up looking greasy or sticky and that is also less prone to pesky breakouts and acne. With a pro-active and consistent skincare routine, you can be on the pathway to absolutely nourished, glowing and healthy skin in no time!
Here is a simple skin routine that can do wonders for dry skin:
1) Cleanser: Veda Earth Moisturising Face Wash
Ingredient spotlight: Coconut Milk and Lavender
Benefits: When it comes to dry skin, cleansing can be a little tricky since traditional cleansers can dry your skin out, and strip off its natural oils and moisture, drying it out even more. Choosing a moisturising face wash is the ideal choice to quench your skin’s thirst the right way. Coconut Milk is rich in Lauric Acid, which helps to improve elasticity, moisturise the skin and make it super soft while deeply cleansing it. Bulgarian Lavender on the other hand soothes the skin as it is both antibacterial and anti-inflammatory, and detoxifies it, making you feel fresh and hydrated all through the day!
How to use: Dampen your face and neck with lukewarm water, and apply an almond-sized amount (or one pump) and gentle massage it onto your face and neck in circular motions. Rinse and pat dry with a soft cloth.
How often to use: Use twice a day - both in the morning and night.
2) Exfoliator: Sukin Super Greens Detoxifying Facial Scrub
Ingredient spotlight: Super Greens
Benefits: While this may not be common knowledge, exfoliation for dry skin is essential to avoid dryness, flakiness and encourage healthy skin turnover. Since dry skin is not prone to blackheads or whiteheads unlike oily skin, exfoliating 1-2 times a week is enough. Ensure that you do not exfoliate too often as this can lead to redness and irritation. Using a gentle scrub like the Sukin Super Greens Detoxifying Scrub is suitable because not only does it polish the skin and get rid of impurities and excess oils, but also gives you a brighter, plumper and healthier complexion. This is as Super Greens such as Kale, Spirulina, Parsley work in tandem with Pineapple and Licorice extracts to gently exfoliate yet moisturise your skin, to give you that coveted glow!
How to use: Gently massage a nickel-sized amount onto your skin and neck post cleansing. Move in circular motions. Rinse it well with lukewarm water and pat dry.
How often to use: 1-2 times a week only
3) Mask: Swisse Hyaluro Natural Intensive Hydrating Mask
Ingredient spotlight: Botanical Alternative to Hyaluronic Acid
Benefits: A power packed combination of Senna Seeds, Sunflower Seed Oil, Soybean Oil along with Avocado and Aloe Vera work wonderfully to revitalise and deliver intense hydration to your skin from within. They provide deep nourishment and make your skin supple, plump and smooth skin and give it a youthful glow. Moreover, using a moisturising mask regularly boosts the power of your skin routine too as it allows other products to penetrate more effectively into the skin. Over time, it also gives you an even skin tone and tightens the skin as it diminishes the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
How to use: Apply the mask on the face and neck using a brush or your fingers. Leave it on for 10-15 minutes. Rinse well and pat dry. For intense hydration, apply it as an overnight mask and allow it to replenish your skin as you sleep. Follow it up with your usual cleansing routine the next morning.
How often to use: Use twice a week for best results.
4) Toner: Zyna Multi-Active Soothing & Hydrating Toner
Ingredient spotlight: Aloe Vera and Witch Hazel
Benefits: A face mist is a great way to keep your skin fresh and hydrated through the day as well as avoid uncomfortable greasiness or stickiness. The Zyna toner is enriched with a sensorial blend of nine fruit and flower extracts, from Witch Hazel, Rose, Aloe Vera to Papaya and Lemon Peel that not only improve skin tone and texture, but also strengthen your skin's barrier and provide deep hydration for up to 72 hours, reducing the risk of environmental contaminants from entering your skin. The end result is skin that feels refreshed, velvety smooth and well-balanced!
How to use: Use a cotton/reusable pad and dab in directly all over the face and neck.
How often to use: Use twice a day - in the morning and night.
5) Serum: MartiDerm Proteos Hydra Plus 10 Ampoules
Ingredient spotlight: Vitamin C and Proteoglycans
Benefits: Vitamin C is known to be a holy grail ingredient for a range of skin concerns and skin types. It is an antioxidant powerhouse that works magically, especially when formulated the right way. What makes the Proteos Hydra Plus Ampoules special is that they are made using a pure and concentrated form of 5% Vitamin C (aka L-Ascorbic Acid) at an optimal pH of 3.5. These ampoules have a milky and emollient texture that helps to deeply hydrate, brighten and repair the skin by stimulating Collagen production. Proteoglycans on the other hand are powerful moisturisers that can hold up to 1,000 times their weight in water and help plump up the skin.
How to use: Shake the ampoule lightly, and place the Easy Opener on it. Gently press until you hear a clicking round. Remove the Easy Open device and the top of the ampoule, and tip half the contents into your hand and apply all over the face.
How often to use: Use twice a day for best results. Start with once a day to allow your skin to build tolerance for the Vitamin C, and gradually move to twice a day.
6) Moisturiser: Ilana Organics All Time Moisturiser
Ingredient spotlight: Green Tea and Hyaluronic Acid
Benefits: Be it parched, dehydrated, dry or oily skin, the solution is simple - use a moisturiser. The Ilana Organics All Time Moisturiser is like intense hydration in a jar and boosts the skin’s process of cellular repair as well as regeneration. It has Green Tea, which is a potent antioxidant that reduces oxidative stress and sun damage, and its natural astringent, anti-inflammatory and soothing properties enhance the skin's natural production of Collagen and elastase. Hyaluronic Acid on the other hand is one of the most powerful humectants, that locks in moisture and imparts a dewy radiance all through the day.
How to use: Apply an almond-sized amount to the face, neck and decolletage in gentle, circular motions. Always move in an upward manner to defy gravity and have a lifting effect.
How often to use: Use twice a day every single day!
7) Face Oil: Herbis Botanicals Superhero Face Oil
Ingredient spotlight: Rosehip, Hemp Seed and Evening Primrose Oil
Benefits: If you are looking to return both moisture and life to your skin, a face oil is your safest bet. The Herbis Botanicals Superhero Face Oil is formulated using essential omega fatty acids, Linoleic Acid and vitamins that really work to restore flakiness, reduce blemishes and renew your skin. Rosehip Oil is a natural form of Vitamin A (Retinol) and helps to rebuild the skin’s tissue. Hemp Seed Oil has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that heal the skin and unclog the pores, while Evening Primrose Oil prevents any oxidative damage and reduces discolouration and pigmentation. Since dry skin is the most vulnerable to first showing any signs of ageing, using a face oil regularly can help delay those too. All in all, a face oil is definitely a great way to protect the skin’s natural barrier and a must have for dry skin!
How to use: Apply 1-2 drops on to the palm of hand, and use fingers to massage the face and neck well. Can always follow up with a gua sha or face roller if required!
How often to use: Use twice a day - both in the morning and night.
8) SPF: Paul Penders Herbal Sun Prosperity
Ingredient spotlight: Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide
Benefits: One of the holiest skincare habits is diligently applying sunscreen every single day even (including times when you are indoors and on cloudy days). Using a mineral sunscreen is imperative because not only does it protect your skin from the sun’s harmful UV rays, but also prevents skin cancer, discolouration, pigmentation and the signs of ageing. The Paul Penders Herbal Sun Prosperity is a super lightweight and non-greasy formulation that helps to protect and nurture the skin. It has a blend of botanical emollients derived from various cold-pressed oils that leave the skin feeling soft, smooth and absolutely moisturised, so slather away!
How to use: Use the ‘two-finger method’ - apply two strips of sunscreen from the tip to the base of the index and the middle finger, and then massage it all over your face and neck.
How often to use: Use in the morning and re-apply through the day as required.
The order to apply your products in:
Cleanser > Toner > Exfoliator > Mask > Serum > Moisturiser > Face Oil > SPF
Summary
At the end of the day, there is no substitute for a consistent skincare routine using the right blend of formulas and products to manage your dry skin. Opting for thicker, more hydrating and moisturising formulas can go a long way too and are the best way to maintain your skin’s health and radiance over time!
- By Krisha Jhaveri
