Skincare routine for dry skin

If your skin feels tight, flaky or dull, finding the right routine for dry skin can make all the difference. For happy, hydrated skin and a glowing complexion, discover our expert-recommended morning and night face routine for dry skin, including product recommendations.

Dry skin is an uncomfortable skin condition. Symptoms include itching, scaling or sometimes cracking, and can affect any part of the body.

This can be caused by environmental factors such as seasonal changes (symptoms tend to worsen in winter and summer), harsh weather conditions (hot, cold or dry air), ultraviolet sunlight and chlorine.

Skincare factors can also affect skin hydration, and following an incorrect routine can worsen dry skin symptoms. Using strong soaps, washing your skin too often or taking long, hot baths can all strip away natural skin lipids from the skin's barrier.

Learn more about external and internal causes of dry skin here.

While the causes may differ from case-to-case, anyone suffering from dry skin should practice a routine to treat their symptoms. Your dry skin routine should take place twice a day - every morning and evening.

No matter what the skin condition, a comprehensive routine involves cleansing, toning, moisturising and wearing sunscreen. In addition to the products you use, maintaining a consistent routine for dry skin is key.

Our easy-to-follow, morning and night skincare routine for dry skin on the face provides gentle yet effective treatment, while protecting the skin's barrier.

This is the first step in your face routine for dry skin before applying any serums or creams, helping to remove dirt, make-up and pollutants from your skin. It's important to use a cleanser that won't disrupt the outer skin layer.

Using a toner complements your cleanser, helping to remove excess oil or dirt you may have missed. This enables other products to fully absorb and brings balance to your skin tone. Learn more about cleansing and toning here.

Lock in hydration by moisturising your skin with a nourishing, non-comedogenic product. Don't forget to focus on the area around your eyes during your face routine for dry skin, as this is usually the first area to show signs of ageing like fine lines and wrinkles.

At night, use the UreaRepair Rich Replenishing Face Night Cream for an intensive overnight face cream.

While many daily moisturisers include SPF, you should also use a sunscreen that locks in moisture every morning. We recommend using an SPF 30 or higher to help protect your skin from harmful UV rays. Learn more in Should you wear sunscreen every day.

If you experience skincare pilling when layering products, find out how you can prevent it.

If you suffer from dry skin you should only exfoliate once or twice per week. If you notice symptoms of dry skin exfoliating may be your first solution, but don’t over-exfoliate.

When trying a new exfoliating product, test it on a small area of your face before applying it all over. Ensure you moisturise after exfoliating. Learn more in How to exfoliate your skin.

When finding products for your dry skin routine, it’s important to consider the best moisturising ingredients:

• Urea is one of several Natural Moisturising Factors. These NMFs bind in water and relieve symptoms while supporting exfoliation. Eucerin was one of the first brands to offer Urea-based solutions for dry skin.
• Hyaluronic acid attracts and holds moisture, which enables skin to feel more plump and hydrated.
• Ceramides help lock in moisture by restoring the skin barrier. They can be found in our UreaRepair PLUS and AtoControl ranges.
• Glycerin helps prevent dryness by attracting moisture to the upper layer of the skin.

Skin functions best when properly moisturised, and at Eucerin we provide a wide selection of innovative products to treat dry skin. Finding the right products is very important when you have dry skin. Choosing which Eucerin range depends on the different symptoms and severity of dry skin:

• UreaRepair: For dry, rough skin, or sufferers of psoriasis.
• Aquaphor: For dry, very dry, cracked or irritated skin.
• AtoControl: For dry, atopic or itchy skin, or those with atopic dermatitis (eczema).

Most cases of dry skin are usually harmless, and symptoms can be managed with proper treatment and a suitable routine. However, there is a possibility your dry skin is caused by conditions such as psoriasis or eczema, so speak to a dermatologist for more information.