Some people have naturally dry skin. Others only combat skin dryness during the fall and winter months when colder temperatures and lower humidity dry the skin. Whether you’re looking for moisturizing products to keep your dry skin moisturized or you’re looking to boost hydration for the drier weather ahead, we’ve got you covered. In this blog, you can learn more about our dermatologist-recommended skincare products for dry skin.

Understanding Dry Skin

Dry skin occurs when moisture is lost through the skin’s protective outer layers. Some people may have naturally dryer skin. For others, skin dryness occurs as a result of other skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis. Harsh soaps, cleaners, perfumes, and other chemicals and irritating ingredients may also cause people to develop dry skin. Overwashing or showering and bathing in water that’s too hot can also strip necessary moisture, leaving skin dry. Weather is another leading cause of skin dryness.

Whatever the cause of skin dryness, a good skincare routine with intense hydrating products can help you keep your skin moisturized. We’ll talk about some of our most recommended moisturizing products next. There are also a few simple steps you can take to keep skin hydrated, including:

• Drink water – Hydration begins from the inside out. If the body is hydrated, there will be plenty of moisture for the skin. Drinking more water can increase the skin’s moisture.
• Turn down the heat – It can feel nice to keep your house toasty warm all winter, but the higher the temperature setting, the more the heater runs. Heaters strip moisture from the air, leading to dryer skin.
• Use humidifiers – If you do need to keep your heater on to combat chilly temperatures, run a humidifier. This will restore humidity to the air that’s being stripped away by the heater. Using a humidifier in your bedroom at night while you sleep can make a big difference.
• Take shorter, cooler showers – It may seem counterintuitive, but taking long showers, especially if the water is very hot, strips moisture from the skin. Take shorter showers or baths with cooler water, and make sure to apply moisturizer immediately after.
• Use milder products – Skincare, cosmetics, laundry detergents, cleaning products, and other items used regularly contain chemicals that strip moisture from the skin. Switch to milder products or wear gloves or other protective clothing when using these products to avoid drying skin.
• Wear sunscreen – Sunscreen should be applied daily to any areas of the skin exposed to sunlight. However, in the winter, many people skip the sunscreen thinking they don’t need it. On top of the cold air and lack of humidity, sun damage also dries the skin. Applying sunscreen to counteract the effects of UV light helps keep skin hydrated.

Choosing the Right Product for Your Needs

One final recommendation is to choose the right skincare products to ensure your skin receives the necessary moisture boost and stays hydrated throughout the day. Specifically, choosing the right moisturizer is essential. Before adding a moisturizer to your skincare routine, determine what kind of moisturizer you need. Below, we’ve outlined the types of moisturizing ingredients and why they’re beneficial:

• Humectants – These ingredients draw moisture from the air into the skin.
• Emollients – Fill spaces between skin cells to ensure the protective barrier is complete and moisture is retained.
• Occlusives – These ingredients create a physical barrier over the skin to protect it from outside allergens and irritants. It can be especially important for those who have eczema or damaged skin with an incomplete barrier.
• Ceramides – Help to repair and fill in the gaps between skin cells and bind skin cells together.
• Hyaluronic acid – This ingredient attracts and holds moisture in the skin cells to plump, smooth, and hydrate skin.

ALASTIN Skincare Restorative Skin Complex with TriHex Technology

The entire ALASTIN Skincare line was developed to promote skin healing. The ALASTIN Skincare Restorative Skin Complex with TriHex Technology is their flagship product. It’s an advanced repair serum that can be applied to the face morning and evening to soothe and hydrate. It can also be applied to dry patches of skin in other areas to renew and moisturize.

EltaMD AM & PM Renewing Moisturizer Kit

If you’re looking for a quick skin hydration solution, the EltaMD AM & PM Renewing Moisturizer Kit is a great option.  It includes EltaMD AM Therapy, EltaMD PM Therapy, and EltaMD Renew Eye Gel. The EltaMD AM Therapy moisturizer should be used as part of the morning skincare routine to soothe skin, increase hydration, and boost moisture retention. EltaMD PM Therapy moisturizes and repairs skin after the day’s damage. EltaMD Renew Eye Gel can be used morning and evening to hydrate the sensitive skin around the eyes. It also helps to alleviate redness and puffy skin.

Revision Skincare Hydrating Serum

Serums can be an important addition to skincare routines, and many of them offer a hydrating boost. Revision Skincare Hydrating Serum is one of the best options to include in your skincare routine for combatting dry skin. This light and easily absorbed serum contains two potent forms of hyaluronic acid to increase moisture levels right away and continue attracting moisture to the skin throughout the day.

SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2

One of the main underlying causes of dry skin is an incomplete lipid barrier. This barrier prevents the loss of moisture from the skin, but when there are gaps, skin dries out easily. SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2 uses a unique, balanced formula of three lipids. It contains 2% ceramides, 4% cholesterol, and 2% fatty acids. The combination works to restore the skin’s natural lipid barrier. This product is applied as part of the nighttime skincare routine to boost hydration.

Maintain Healthy, Hydrated Skin

Finding the right products is essential to maintaining skin hydration. Quality skincare products have the necessary ingredients to boost hydration, repair the natural protective barrier to increase moisture retention, and attract moisture to keep skin hydrated in the long term. Most importantly, you should work with a dermatologist to ensure your skincare routine meets your needs and keeps your skin looking and feeling its best.

Learn More About the Top Skincare Products for All Skin Types

Whether you’re looking to make hydration a bigger priority during the drier winter months or you live with dry skin year-round, we hope you’ll consider adding some of these recommended products to your skincare routine. Explore the products linked to this blog and come back to visit Derm Skincare and read our blog regularly to learn more about keeping skin healthy and hydrated.