It’s Winter So RIP My Skin. Here Are My Dry Skin Non-Negotiables
Sarah Tarca is a beauty journalist, writer and co-founder of Australia’s first dedicated beauty newsletter, gloss etc. Her skills involve applying lipstick without a mirror, bullying people to wear sunscreen and procrastinating washing her hair. She loves her kids, skincare and potatoes in equal measure — almost as much as she loves SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic. Almost. Find her on socials @tarca
I used to slot neatly into the “normal skin” box, so despite writing about dry skin for years as a beauty editor, it’s not an issue I ever had to face.
But then I moved to (arctic) Melbourne, added a few more years onto my age and suddenly — BAM!
The tightness, the itchiness, that feeling like you’re permanently in a wind tunnel, and the flakes! Ugh the flakes! It’s not… cute.
But, luckily for me I started taking my own advice and turns out I’ve been right all along!
My recommendations are excellent, and this list of dry skin savers will have you and your face cruising through winter like it’s a Caribbean holiday. Let’s do this.
Difference Between Dry and Dehydrated Skin.
But first, let's talk about dry skin and dry skin causes.
The first thing you need to know is that although we wrap them under the same umbrella, dry skin and dehydrated skin are two different things.
Dry skin is a skin type characterised by a lack of oil. The texture can often be rough and lacking in elasticity, which can lead to fine lines.
Dehydrated skin, on the other hand, lacks water — which is where current skin fits in.
Dehydrated skin is exacerbated in winter thanks to the low humidity, the longer, hotter showers (so bad for your skin!), the increased wind, and the constant use of heating.
The skin will look similar to dry skin, but also have the telltale sign of dullness.
The good news is — these products help with both situations.
Keep scrolling for just some of my favourite tried-and-true products for dry skin.
Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Purifying Cream Cleanser.
Ceramides feature a lot on this list.
Our skin actually naturally produces them (they’re a big part of the skin barrier) but like many things, we start to lose them as we age.
This means a barrier that can often feel compromised, and drier skin because more water loss can occur.
On top of that, for dry skin types you want to shy away from foaming cleansers that can be too harsh or stripping, and instead opt for a nourishing cream cleanser that will add moisture to the skin.
This little star (file under your best cleanser for dry skin list) ticks both boxes: a ceramide-packed, gentle, fragrance-free cream cleanser that somehow washes off makeup and leaves the skin supple.
Laneige Cream Skin Cerapeptide Toner & Moisturiser.
This is not an error, I have put a toner in this story.
But see toners have come a loooonnngg way since the paint-stripping vibes of our teenage years.
I’m a relative newcomer to the category (I too was scarred from the toners of my youth) but sliding this toner for dry skin into my routine has made SUCH a difference to the moisture and suppleness factor, it would be a crime for me not to include.
A toner and moisturiser hybrid, the texture of this is milky, plus it's is fragrance-free and has a hypoallergenic formula.
It’s formulated with nourishing ingredients like white leaf tea water (rich in antioxidants and amino acids) and a cerapeptide complex (a combination of ceramides and peptides that provide intense and nourishing hydration), and just leaves the skin soft and prepped for your serum.
Big fan. Huge.
SkinCeuticals Hydrating B5 Gel.
Ok, how about the best serum for dry skin?
We all know serums are the heavy-hitters of the skincare world, and not surprisingly here you’ll want to pick one that will do the absolute most for hydration.
Humectants are your best friends here, especially for dehydrated skin.
These ingredients draw in — and bind to — water preventing further water loss (which of course leads to more dryness).
Two superstars in the humectant category are hyaluronic acid and vitamin B5 (panthenol); and guess what this serum has? Both!
Panthenol also helps to repair the skin barrier, and they both work together to also make your moisturiser more effective. A win all round for your skin.
The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + PhytoCeramides.
Best moisturiser for dry skin?
One of the latest offerings from The Ordinary that quickly slid into my favourites list.
This is their most nourishing moisturiser.
As I mentioned, humectant ingredients are amazing for dehydrated skin, and this has two times more humectants than their cult Natural Moisturising Factors + HA, plus four times more moisturising emollients, phytoceramides for plumpness and skin identical lipids like free fatty acids and triglycerides that help mimic the natural moisture of the skin.
It goes on balmy, but not greasy and I personally could feel, and see, the difference immediately.
Ella Baché Botanical Skin Treatment Oil.
Dry skin types (lacking in oil) will LOVE a nourishing oil to add instant suppleness and elasticity to the skin.
This is one of my all-rounder faves; a botanical blend of hemp seed oil, jojoba and evening primrose, all which hydrate, nourish and protect the skin and the skin barrier, plus there’s antioxidants in there too to help fight free radical damage.
Also, it just smells and feels really nice, and coddles your skin like a big hug.
Ultra Violette Supreme Screen Hydrating Facial SKINSCREEN SPF50+.
You’re not skipping sunscreen in winter are you? Good. Because I don’t need to tell you that UV can be high even when the temperature is not.
Switch out your summer version for a hydrating ‘screen with moisturising ingredients to add in another layer of moisture for the winter months.
Final Thoughts...
One final note from my skin and me, and then I’ll leave you to start slathering your skincare layers: while these products have definitely helped transition my skin from Gollum levels of dry to plumpy-and-smooth if you want to really be kind to your skin in winter try not to scald it with your shower or sleep with the heat high so it doesn’t have to work so hard to keep its moisture.
Keen for even more recommendations for dry or dehydrated skin? Check out one of these Beauty IQ articles below:
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