The best skincare routine for dry skin is short and gentle: wash with a mild, fragrance-free cleanser and warm (not hot) water, then apply a rich cream while your skin is still slightly damp. Finish with a broad-spectrum SPF 30+ in the morning. Choose creams or ointments over lotions, look for ingredients such as glycerin, hyaluronic acid, shea butter or dimethicone, and cut back on fragrance, alcohol and strong exfoliants.
Central heating, cold wind and long hot showers make dry skin a familiar problem in a British winter. Tightness after washing, flaky patches and make-up that clings to dry spots are the usual signs. The fix is less about buying more products and more about protecting the moisture your skin already has. For the steps every skin type shares, see our guide to a good skin care routine.
Morning Routine for Dry Skin
- Rinse or cleanse gently. Lukewarm water alone is often enough in the morning. If you use a cleanser, choose a cream or milk texture and avoid a thick lather.
- Hydrating serum (optional). A hyaluronic acid or glycerin serum on damp skin adds a layer of moisture.
- Rich moisturiser. A cream rather than a light gel, gently massaged in.
- Broad-spectrum sunscreen, SPF 30+. A moisturising formula can double as your last layer of comfort.
Evening Routine for Dry Skin
- Melt off make-up and SPF with a cleansing oil, balm or milk, then rinse with warm water.
- Pat dry with a clean towel. Rubbing irritates dry skin.
- Apply your cream straight away, while skin is still a little damp.
- Add a few drops of face oil or a thin layer of balm on very dry patches if you need extra comfort.
Ingredients Dermatologists Recommend for Dry Skin
| Ingredient | What it does |
|---|---|
| Glycerin and hyaluronic acid | Humectants that draw water into the top layer of skin |
| Shea butter, jojoba oil and lanolin | Rich emollients that soften and smooth rough patches |
| Dimethicone, mineral oil and petrolatum | Form a protective film that slows water loss |
| Lactic acid | A gentle acid that also helps skin hold water; start slowly if your skin is sensitive |
These are the ingredients listed in the American Academy of Dermatology's tips for relieving dry skin, which also advises choosing an ointment or cream rather than a lotion, because they add more moisture.
What to Cut Back On
Fragrance
Choose products labelled fragrance-free. Unscented products can still contain masking chemicals that irritate dry skin.
Alcohol-Heavy Products
Astringent toners and gels can leave dry skin tighter and more irritated.
Strong Actives
Retinoids and frequent exfoliating can worsen dryness. If you use them, go slowly and moisturise well.
Long, Hot Showers
Keep showers to five to ten minutes in warm water, and moisturise as soon as you step out.
Everyday Habits That Help
| Habit | Why it helps |
|---|---|
| Moisturise several times a day | After washing, after washing your hands and whenever skin feels tight |
| Run a humidifier in the bedroom | Adds moisture to dry, heated air overnight; clean it regularly to prevent mould |
| Wear gloves for washing up and in the cold | Hands are often the first place dryness shows |
| Choose soft, loose fabrics | Wool and tight clothes rub and irritate dry skin |
Dry cheeks but an oily T-zone? That is combination skin. Use the cream only where you need it and borrow the lighter steps from our skincare routine for oily skin for the rest.
A Day Cream for Normal to Dry Skin
Moisturising Day Cream by Aromanesque
Formulated for normal to dry skin, with hyaluronic acid in several molecular weights for hydration, soothing bisabolol and antioxidant rowanberry extract. The brand recommends applying it to cleansed skin as the final step of your morning routine. If your skin is also sensitive, check the full ingredient list and patch test first.
View ProductWhen dry skin needs a doctor: if dryness carries on despite these steps, cracks or bleeds, or is very itchy, see a GP or pharmacist. Persistent dry skin can be linked to conditions such as eczema or psoriasis, which need their own treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best moisturiser type for dry skin?
A cream or ointment rather than a lotion, as they hold more moisture. Look for glycerin, hyaluronic acid, shea butter, dimethicone or petrolatum.
Should I wash my face every morning if I have dry skin?
Not necessarily. Many people with dry skin rinse with lukewarm water in the morning and do a proper cleanse at night to remove make-up and sunscreen.
Why is my skin drier in winter?
Cold, windy weather outside and dry, heated air indoors both draw moisture from the skin. Hot showers make it worse. Moisturising more often and using a humidifier help.
Can I use exfoliants on dry skin?
Gently and occasionally. Over-exfoliating strips skin further. A mild acid such as lactic acid once or twice a week is usually kinder than a gritty scrub.
Sources: American Academy of Dermatology, Dermatologists' top tips for relieving dry skin.