Why Is My Skin So Dry?
Causes & Regimen

People who struggle with dry skin day in and day out need to keep their skin hydrated and moisturized. Skincare products specifically made for dry skin help to attract and trap moisture, acting as a protective barrier to prevent external factors from damaging the skin.

There are also specific ingredients that help strengthen the skin’s moisture barrier and keep the face hydrated. Shiseido’s Essential Energy Hydrating Cream includes purified and micronized hyaluronic acid, which attracts and retains moisture. It also has ginseng root extract to strengthen the skin’s moisture barrier.

Dry skin also causes flakiness and dullness, which, in turn, makes the skin look older and more worn out. Shiseido’s Ultimune Power Infusing Serum reduces signs of aging and makes the skin smoother with the help of fermented roselle extract and reishi mushroom. It also contains heartleaf extract to create a protective barrier for the skin and iris root extract, recognized for its vitality and moisturizing abilities.

Ingredients to Avoid

Some products, however, contain ingredients that harm instead of help. As much as possible, avoid products with the following ingredients:

• Alcohol
• Benzoyl peroxide
• Chemical peels
• Glycolic acid
• Harsh exfoliating products
• Preservatives
• Salicylic acid

Even if the products only have a small amount of these ingredients, they can worsen the skin by causing flare-ups, excessive acne, and other problems.

Cleansing is always the essential first step in a skincare routine. It’s important to get rid of impurities on the face before applying products to it. If not, the dirt and dust trapped on the face can cause irritation.

For some people, using regular hand soap or any other type of soap seems like the perfect solution to washing the face. Nevertheless, this can potentially damage the skin, especially if it contains harmful ingredients. Instead, use a mild cleanser like Extra Rich Cleansing Milk or Refreshing Cleansing Water to remove makeup.

Softeners are a cousin to the toner, though not quite as popular, and occupy the same step in the skincare regime. Toners are more for cleansing and provide an astringent effect. Softeners are hydrating and softening so the skin can absorb the rest of the skincare.

After cleansing, pump a little bit of Treatment Softener Enriched (specially created for dry and very dry skin) onto a facial cotton pad and gently wipe over the face.

Moisturizer locks in the softener and keeps the face hydrated throughout the whole day. One way to ensure this is to incorporate the Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Day Cream SPF 23 into the morning (and even evening) skincare routine. One of its key ingredients—yuzu seed extract—moisturizes the skin, giving it a vibrant look. Another option is Essential Energy Hydrating Day Cream Broad Spectrum SPF 20, which strengthens the skin’s moisture barrier with the help of ginseng root extract.

People often skip sunblock if they are at home the whole day or the weather outside is cloudy. Sunblock, however, is a must-have, no matter the weather or the circumstance. Use Urban Environment Fresh-Moisture Sunscreen SPF 42 to protect the complexion and maintain the skin’s moisture. Another option is Future Solution LX Total Protective Cream SPF 30, which acts as a daytime moisturizer and sunblock to protect the skin from environmental stressors. This keeps the skin soft and dewy and infuses it with moisture.

Most people forget that the area around their eyes gets dry too. Apply some Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Eye Cream. While it helps correct wrinkles, it keeps the skin around the eyes hydrated as well.

Applying a face mask can help to moisturize the skin further. After cleansing and balancing the skin, put on the Benefiance Pure Retinol Intensive Revitalizing Face Mask and allow it to infuse the skin with hydrating moisture to help improve texture. Another option for pampering the complexion is to apply a Vital Perfection Uplifting and Firming Express Eye Mask which has powerful hydrating, anti-aging, and relaxation benefits.

For those who want an intensive overnight sleeping face mask, try the White Lucent Overnight Cream & Mask. Infused with Yoshino Cherry Extract, this mask hydrates skin that has lost moisture and clarity because of stress and lack of sleep.