A specialized skincare routine for dry skin restores luster to a complexion dulled by a rough texture or flaky patches. Using ultra-hydrating products can preserve your skin's moisture barrier — the outer skin layer that protects and promotes radiance by sealing in water, leaving your complexion soft and supple.
When investing in skincare for dry skin, the right ingredients are everything. It's the ideal marriage of nature and science: Botanicals, vitamins, and fatty acids, combined with the latest in skincare technology, powerfully quench parched skin to enhance the natural beauty of your complexion.
This guide explains why you should invest in skincare for dry, sensitive skin and offers some top product ideas to get you started.
5 Benefits of a Skincare Routine for Dry Skin
There are visual and worthwhile benefits to having a skincare routine for dry skin. When you consistently choose the right products, you'll see a visible improvement in your skin's appearance and move closer to achieving the skin of your dreams. Here are five benefits of skincare for dry, sensitive skin:
1. Reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
Think about a dry creek bed in the desert, crisscrossed with cracks caused by lack of moisture. The same can happen to dry skin, with more pronounced lines and wrinkles. Hydrating products temporarily plump the complexion, which reduces the look of those fine lines. Hydrating ingredients can also improve skin elasticity and maintain a soft, supple look.
2. Fewer acne breakouts
Dry skin is often prone to blemishing. Why? Your skin produces more sebum in response to the dryness, and that excess oil can clog your pores. With the right skincare routine for dry skin, you can eliminate excess sebum and pore-clogging dead skin cells and avoid acne breakouts.
3. A refined, even texture
Unsightly flakes of dead skin, bumps, or rough patches detract from your skin's luminosity. To counteract this, support your skin's moisture barrier to lock in hydration and improve the look and feel of your complexion.
4. Skin that feels soft and delightful
Moisture-deprived skin can feel tight and itchy, and scratching that itch can worsen it by leading to redness and irritation. A skincare routine for dry, sensitive skin is gentle, calming, and softens a dehydrated complexion.
5. Greater protection for your skin
If your skin's moisture barrier breaks down, you become more susceptible to damaging pollutants, bacteria, and other problematic elements. In short, well-moisturized skin is healthier-looking, and a skincare routine geared toward your specific needs will promote a glowing complexion.
How to Determine if You Have Dry Skin
The signs of dry skin are very evident, including:
Tight skin
● An increase in lines or wrinkles
● Flaky patches of skin
● Rough, uneven texture
● Redness, irritation, or an itchy feeling
● A dull appearance
Causes of Dry Skin
Your skin type may be inherently dry, but there are other potential triggers:
● Exposure to UV rays, toxins, or other environmental pollutants
● Cold climates that lack humidity
● Excessive heat (like an indoor heater or hot shower)
● Decreased sebum production as we age
● Medications
● A chronic skin condition such as eczema or psoriasis
If you notice these symptoms, it’s time to revitalize your complexion with a skincare routine for dry skin.
The Essential Parts of an Elegant Skincare Routine
If you have dry skin, be mindful of the ingredients in your skincare products, as harsh or synthetic ingredients can lead to irritation, dryness, and skin sensitivities. All the components of a skincare routine for dry skin should work together to restore your skin's natural vibrance and maintain hydration.
Here's what you need to build a skincare routine for dry skin:
Moisturizing Cleanser
Dry skin needs a gentle cleanser without surfactants or astringent ingredients that strip away natural oils. A gentle formula will eliminate dirt, grime, and bacteria in your pores. Without a cleanser, you risk irritation and inflammation, which can cause more harm than good.
The Cleansing Balm is our rich and luxurious formulation, which becomes a milky liquid as you spread it on your skin with water. This oil-based balm contains squalane, coconut, and avocado-olive fruit oil complex for thorough moisturization and the removal of pore-clogging impurities. If you prefer a lightweight texture, try The Cream Cleansing Gel, which you can also use after The Cleansing Balm for a soothing double cleanse.
However, if you have dry skin, consider cleansing your face only once daily before bed. Over-cleansing your face can cause sensitivities and dry your skin out even more. Always listen to your skin and how it reacts.
Toner
Think of your toner as the prep stage before the rest of your skincare routine. Toners brighten your complexion and prepare your skin for the active ingredients in moisturizers, creams, and face serums. A highly advanced toner is worth incorporating into your skincare routine for dry skin because it's not harsh and supports your complexion with moisturizing ingredients.
The Essence minimizes the appearance of pores and redness to improve your complexion's tone and texture -- a perfect remedy for the problems plaguing dry skin. The Essence is a gentle, 3-in-1 exfoliant, toner, and hydrating essence formulated to streamline your post-cleanse by reducing discoloration, soothing redness, and protect dry skin from environmental factors.
Exfoliation
Exfoliation is vital for dry skin, and if you don't eliminate flakiness, dead skin accumulates, clogging pores and dulling your complexion. Many popular scrubs are too intense for dry skin, so choosing the right exfoliant is essential.
Mechanical exfoliants can lead to microtears in the skin, disrupting your skin barrier and leading to irritation and sensitivities. Be mindful of how often you exfoliate your skin, as over-exfoliation will strip your skin of its natural oils. The right exfoliant is crucial to your overall skin health.
The Essence contains phytic acid (a natural exfoliant from rice grains), salicylic acid, and gluconolactone for refreshing exfoliation. The formulation purifies, tones, and exfoliates to reveal smoother, more vibrant skin. Our lightweight formula is perfect for dry skin and is gentle enough to use daily. During our user trials, 100% of participants agreed that their skin felt soft, smooth, and hydrated after 12 weeks of regular use.
After exfoliating, follow up with a hydrating serum or the best lotion for dry skin immediately after. Even after using a gentle exfoliant, your skin loses moisture, so it makes sense to replenish this moisture with products formulated with nourishing ingredients.
Hydrating Serum
Facial serums are supplemental skincare products that can help you take a more targeted approach to your routine. Unlike creams or moisturizers, they typically contain a potent blend of one or a few ingredients. With the right formula, you can easily combat the symptoms of dry skin and keep your skin hydrated, soft, and supple.
The Serum glides on your skin, creating a perfect base layer for your moisturizer. Skin feels firmer and looks brightened and renewed. Professor Bader calls it "an all-in-one problem solver for your skin," scientifically designed to promote all-over radiance and a youthful-looking complexion.
Using a serum twice daily before applying your moisturizer will allow the potent formula to penetrate your skin's outer layer, so your skin can reap the benefits of the active ingredients.
Moisturizer
A daily moisturizer is a must-have for dry, sensitive skin. To maintain plump and supple skin throughout the day, it's crucial to consistently include a moisturizer in your morning and evening skincare routine. Failing to do so can lead to moisture loss and losing your skin's protective barrier.
The best moisturizer for dry skin provides hydration, protection, and nutrients to combat sensitivity and symptoms of dryness. The Face Oil is richly emollient, strengthening your skin barrier with antioxidants and antimicrobials. If you'd prefer a product with a thicker texture, The Rich Cream infuses your skin with the same powerful nourishment as The Face Oil, hydrating and conditioning to revive the look of your skin. You can also add a few drops of The Face Oil to The Rich Cream for seriously dehydrated skin.
Every product in this regimen uses TFC8® as a key ingredient. This groundbreaking technology results from decades of scientific research, giving our skincare the power to support cellular renewal and transform the appearance of your complexion.
AM and PM Dry Skincare Routine
Be consistent with your regimen to fully experience the benefits of a skincare routine for dry skin. Most products require twice-daily usage — once in the morning before you start the day and once before you go to bed. Your daytime routine protects your skin from environmental stressors, UV damage, and pollutants. In contrast, the nighttime regimen focuses on hydrating and treating your skincare concerns. Here’s how to use Augustinus Bader products morning and night for the ultimate skincare routine for dry, dehydrated skin:
● The Cleansing Balm and/or The Cream Cleansing Gel (if doing a double cleanse, use the balm first)
● The Essence
● The Serum
● The Rich Cream and/or The Face Oil (put a few drops of oil into the cream to combine. You can also use the oil first or put a drop or two over makeup for an added glow)
Shop Augustinus Bader to Renew Dry Skin
If you struggle with keeping your dry skin hydrated, it may be time to revamp your skincare routine with results-driven skincare essentials from Augustinus Bader. We have an extensive collection of skincare products formulated for every skin type, with gentle formulas to help you see results and move closer to achieving glowing skin.
Say goodbye to dry, sensitive skin for good. Go from dry to dewy with a luxurious skincare routine from Augustinus Bader skincare.