Essential Daily Skincare for Dry Skin

Dry skin is a common but uncomfortable issue for many people. If you have dry skin, you might suffer from itching, cracking skin, or even flaking. There are many causes of dry skin, which can play a role in how best to care for your skin.

So, where do you start when it comes to skincare for dry skin? Having a consistent regimen that nourishes your skin is key. That’s why we’re sharing our recommended day and nighttime skincare routines for dry skin. Keep reading to get the inside scoop on how to hydrate and revitalize your complexion.

• What Causes Dry Skin?
• Main Skincare Concerns for Dry Skin
• Day Skincare Routine for Dry Skin
• Night Skincare Routine for Dry Skin
• Tips for Caring for Dry Skin

What Causes Dry Skin?

A number of factors can cause dry skin. According to Licensed Advanced Practice Aesthetician, CLT Jessie Pasquarello, dry, flaky skin can result from various factors such as:

• Harsh weather conditions
• Excessive bathing or showering with hot water
• Using harsh cleansers and soaps
• Over-using exfoliating products or tools

“Additionally, certain medical conditions like eczema, psoriasis, or thyroid disorders can also contribute to dryness and flakiness of the skin.”

If you’re having a difficult time narrowing down what’s contributing to dryness, it may be worthwhile to talk to a dermatologist who can assess your skin condition.

Main Skincare Concerns for Dry Skin

People with dry skin may have different symptoms, but some of the main concerns are flaking and itchy skin. This is particularly irritating when dry skin affects your face. Dry facial skin can also cause redness, uneven skin tone, and dehydration lines.

In addition to lifestyle changes like consuming hydrating food and drinks and avoiding excessively hot water, following a regular skincare routine for dry skin can help soothe your complexion and repair dry skin.

Day Skincare Routine for Dry Skin

Get ready for the day with a good skincare routine.

Step 1: Use a Cleanser

The first step in any skincare routine is a cleanser. A cleanser helps remove dirt, oil, and more. When you use a cleanser, you remove buildup that can clog pores and cause breakouts.

Barrier Pro™ 1-Step Cleanser is a one-stop cleanser (no double-washing needed), that leaves skin refreshed, hydrated, and replenished. It’s also fragrance free and non-comedogenic.

To use in the morning:

• Add 1 pump of the cleanser to wet hands and apply the gel to a wet face.
• Work the cleanser for at least 1 minute around your forehead, cheeks, nose, and around the eyes.
• Rinse thoroughly.

Step 2: Apply a Nourishing Moisturizer

The next step in a skincare routine for a dry face is a quality moisturizer. Colorescience’s Barrier Pro™ Essential Moisturizer is light and velvety to the touch, so it hydrates without being heavy. With hyaluronic acid it hydrates and protects skin from free radicals that can cause skin damage.

To use in the morning as part of your dry and sensitive skincare routine, apply 1-2 pumps of moisturizer after cleansing. Carefully apply the product to your face, neck, and decollete before you finish with sunscreen.

Step 3: Finish with Sunscreen

The last step of a daytime routine is sunscreen. You should wear sunscreen every day. According to dermatologists, wearing sunscreen is simple and one of the most effective ways to protect your skin’s appearance and health at all ages. Sunscreen not only prevents sunburns but also skin cancer and premature aging. Doctors recommend using an everyday sunscreen that’s at least SPF 30.

Our liquid sunscreen recommendation

Total Protection® No-Show™ Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 provides essential sun protection while providing the sheerest of the sheer coverage and an ultra-lightweight finish.

Water and sweat resistant, this mineral sunscreen helps hydrate while reflecting the sun’s rays away from your skin. It also acts as a primer under makeup, helps prevent premature skin aging, and works for a wide range of skin tones.

To apply, use a generous amount of sunscreen–about a nickel-size amount–and apply it to the face in a single direction for smooth and even coverage. The no-show formula blends into the skin for a flawless finish.

Sunforgettable® Total Protection® Face Shield Flex SPF 50 is a tinted mineral sunscreen that can be used as a makeup primer or as a foundation. Available in four shades, the flecks of encapsulated pigments adjust to your skin’s natural tone and a beautiful finish.

For medium coverage, apply an even layer to a moisturized face. For buildable coverage, apply additional layers, waiting 1 minute between each application.

Our powder sunscreen recommendations

For a powder sunscreen that offers light foundation coverage, try the award-winning Sunforgettable® Total Protection® Brush-On Shield SPF 50, the only powder sunscreen recommended by the Skin Cancer Foundation for active use. With Enviroscreen® Technology, it provides both sun and environment defense.

Sunforgettable® Total Protection® Brush-On Shield SPF 50 has four skin tone shades. It’s also water and sweat-resistant, hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic, and infused with antioxidants and hyaluronic acid (which helps reinforce moisturizer in the skin).

The on-the-go brush makes this easy to apply and reapply throughout the day. To use this mineral sunscreen, apply with the applicator brush in small, circular motions. It can be used on bare skin or over makeup.

Night Skincare Routine for Dry Skin

When it’s time to wash away the day, a nighttime skincare routine gets your skin ready to rest and reset.

Step 1: Use a Cleanser

To remove makeup, excess oil, sunscreen, and normal buildup, use the Barrier Pro™ 1-Step Cleanser as the first step in your evening routine. This powerful yet gentle cleanser can be used both morning and night.

To cleanse at night:

• Wet your hands, but leave your face dry.
• Add 2-3 pumps of cleanser to wet hands, and apply Barrier Pro™ 1-Step Cleanser to your dry face and massage into the skin. This will remove makeup, dirt, and other impurities.
• Add water to the face and hands to increase emulsification. The cleanser will start to bubble.
• Cleanse thoroughly for at least 1 minute, carefully around your forehead, cheeks, nose, chin, and eye area.
• Rinse face and pat dry.

Step 2: Apply Your Skincare Treatments

After cleansing in the evening, it’s time to apply any skincare treatments that you want to use in your routine. Treatments can help with various skin goals and dry skin.

If your skincare concerns include dark spots and uneven skin tone, try Even Up® Multi-Correction Serum. The multi-purpose, lightweight serum provides intense hydration and refines your skin’s texture for naturally brighter, more radiant skin. To add to your night routine, add 2-3 pumps to clean, dry skin after cleansing. Follow up with a moisturizer to lock in hydration.

All Calm® Multi-Correction Serum helps balance the skin’s surface for a smooth, luminous texture. To use, add 2-3 pumps of the serum to clean, dry skin. This serum is safe for sensitive skin and non-comedogenic, and it helps address the appearance of facial redness while adding hydration and moisture retention.

Pep Up® Collagen Boost Face & Neck Serum is an anti-aging serum that’s formulated with 10 potent peptides, powerful antioxidants, Hyaluronic acid, and NS Phytomoist–which is four times more hydrating than Hyaluronic acid. This serum has been clinically proven to enhance skin texture and tone, diminish the appearance of wrinkles, and provide you with a healthy, rejuvenated look in as little as four weeks. This treatment is especially beneficial for maturing skin.

Adding hydration to the delicate eye area is vital for maintaining young and healthy-looking skin. The award-winning Total Eye® Firm & Repair Cream brightens, firms, and improves the appearance of dark circles, reduces puffiness, and enhances firmness in the eye areas. This eye serum contains revitalizing caffeine to tighten and brighten skin and powerful peptides to promote collagen production and energize skin.

No matter which skincare treatment you choose, always follow the instructions to ensure safety and efficacy.

Step 3: Finish with a Nourishing Moisturizer

After cleansing and treatments, help your dry skin repair and hydrate overnight with the Barrier Pro™ Essential Moisturizer. To use at night, apply 1-2 pumps of moisturizer to your face, neck, and decollete after you apply your skincare treatments.

What you use in your daily skincare routine for dry skin is important – especially for your face. Take it from Licensed Advanced Practice Aesthetician, CLT Jessie Pasquarello:

“Facial skin tends to be thinner, more delicate, and prone to sensitivity compared to body skin. Additionally, the facial skin has a higher density of oil glands and is more susceptible to acne and signs of aging, requiring specialized skincare products and routines tailored to its unique needs.”

Tips for Caring for Dry Skin

In addition to following a consistent skincare routine that caters to dry skin, there are other tips you might want to implement, such as:

• Apply moisturizer immediately after washing or showering. Lotions keep extra moisture in your skin. By applying lotion to your skin immediately after washing your face, you’ll lock in hydration.
• Use gentle, fragrance-free skin care. Added fragrance can irritate skin and cause dryness. Opt for products that explicitly state they’re fragrance-free.
• Take short showers. Long showers with hot water can contribute to dry skin. Instead of using hot water, opt for a slightly warm temperature. You can also help hydrate your skin by keeping the door closed while you shower.

Keep in mind that when dealing with dry skin, best practices for your face and body care will differ.

Keep Dry Skin Hydrated & Healthy

Keeping your skin hydrated is crucial when it comes to managing dryness. And now, you have several tools under your belt to do that.

Take the next step toward better skin with Colorescience skincare treatments that can help you tackle dry skin and a plethora of other challenges to keep your complexion healthy.