There are lots of things that can cause dry skin, and it’s often confused with dehydrated skin (a whole other blog in itself) which is a skin condition rather than a skin type.

Dry skin produces less sebum than normal or oily skin, and therefore lacks the lipids needed to retain moisture and create a protective moisture barrier. Your genetics can cause skin to be dry, as can your diet, lifestyle and environment. Even the products you use on your face can contribute towards dryness. It’s more common in women, varies in severity and can get worse with age.

Having dry skin can make it tricky to wear certain types of makeup, make your skin look dull and make your skin feel tight with low elasticity. Not great if you’re trying to fight the signs of ageing.

How to work with dry skin

Dry skin can be a challenge - it's all about getting moisture into your skin, keeping it plump and hydrated and making it feel less tight.

Here's our tips to work with your dry skin to improve its condition:

• Exfoliate gently – dry skin can often look patchy or flaky, and a good chemical exfoliator can help you to manage this, as well as give back some of that missing glow. Avoid physical exfoliators and harsh scrubs.
• Moisturise, moisturise, moisturise – getting moisture into your skin and building up your moisture barrier is absolutely essential for dry skin. Dry skin will usually “drink” hydrating products up pretty quickly, so be prepared with a spare bottle.
• Layer your skincare – less is more isn’t always the case with a skincare routine, especially when you’re trying to treat dry skin. Layering moisturiser and oils can really benefit.
• Mask on – face masks can give you the moisture boost your skin needs, sometimes just in the short term but that could be just what you need.

What not to do with dry skin

• Don’t turn up the heat – bad news, but a hot shower or bath isn’t doing your dry skin any favours. The heat will strip those much-needed natural oils from your skin. Either keep your face out of the water, or dial down the temperature to warm.
• Don’t use foaming products – the chemicals used in products that are specifically designed to foam up during use can be drying. Stick to cleansing milks and balms.
• Don’t skip the facial mist – a facial mist can be a really great way to perk dry skin up, especially mid-way through the day when dryness is setting back in.
• Don’t struggle in a dry atmosphere – if you live, work or hang out somewhere where the air is dry it might be time to invest in a humidifier to stop your environment sucking even more moisture out of your skin.

Skincare recommendations for dry skin