How to revitalize dry skin in 3 simple steps

4 min readDec 14, 2020

If you’re a dry skin type, chances are you’re already familiar with some of the upsides. You don’t really have to worry about unwanted “shine”, your make-up stays intact for most of the day and your pores are pretty much invisible. Genetically speaking, it’s not a bad deal!

Despite all the pros, dry skin does have its downsides. If not cared for properly, it can appear dull and lifeless. It can also develop sensitivity, premature wrinkling, and even acne. The causes can be hormonal, environmental, or simply a product of your lifestyle e.g. eating habits, stress or lack of sleep.

No matter what the cause, if you’re currently suffering from any of these symptoms, here are some simple tips to help you revitalize your skin and build a personal 3-step regime that works for you.

Dry skin vs. dehydrated skin

Before you start building your own skin regime, it’s important to really understand the difference between dry skin and dehydrated skin (Yes. There’s a big difference!).

Dry skin is a result of a lack of oil or lipids. It’s a skin type like “oily” or “combination” and mainly linked to your genes. Dehydrated skin, on the other hand, can happen to any skin type and is caused by a lack of skin moisture. Indicators include dark eye circles, dullness, sensitivity, and fine lines.

If you have oily skin (especially in the T-zone) that feels dried-out in certain places, chances are your skin is just dehydrated. However, if you’ve had dry skin your whole life, then that’s most likely your skin type (and this article is for you!).

Here you can observe the difference in smoothness and tone of dry, dehydrated and normal skin.

Your 3 steps to revitalized skin

Balance is the key to keeping your dry skin hydrated, clear, and radiant. It’s all about finding the right regime, with natural, nutrient-rich ingredients to give your skin that extra boost it needs to glow — even without make-up.

A good rule of thumb when building your new regime is to keep things simple with these 3 essentials: a cleanser, a day cream, and a nighttime moisturizer.

Step 1: Choose a gentle cleanser

Swap out the harsh soaps for a more luxurious and creamy textures. Cream cleansers and micellar waters are gentle and hydrating, while still effectively removing makeup and pollutants from throughout the day. Make sure the cleanser is mild enough not to remove natural skin lipids.

When choosing your cleanser, make sure it’s specifically made for dry skin and contains nurturing ingredients like saponified coconut, olive, or argan oil as well as hyaluronic acid or aloe vera.

Step 2: Find the right day cream

With so many choices in the market, it can be a bit overwhelming to choose the right day cream, but here are some ingredients that will help you narrow the search: Plant oils like grapeseed oil and macadamia nut oil, ingredients like ceramides, taurine, hyaluronic acid and vitamin E (especially in combination with vitamins A and C). These are all great ingredients to help your skin replenish its diminished moisture reserves and repair dry or irritated complexions.

Step 3: Opt for a rich nighttime moisturizer

It’s a good idea to choose a thicker, richer formula for your nighttime regime. It’ll give your skin that extra burst of hydration making it look nourished and plump the next morning.

The perfect moisturizer for dry skin types will be a thick, creamy formula that contains some of the powerhouses mentioned above: antioxidants (like vitamin C), ceramides, shea butter, vegetable glycerin, evening primrose oil, argan oil, panthenol and aloe vera.

Luminous skin doesn’t happen overnight…

Now you’re equipped with the information you need to start building a customized skincare routine, but keep in mind that the results you’re looking for don’t just happen overnight. It can take a few days (or even weeks) for your skin to adapt and respond to the new regime. Don’t be discouraged and stay the course, it’ll be worth it in the end. I promise.