Dry Skin Collection

Dry skin makes less oil than it needs, so its protective barrier has gaps and water escapes. It feels tight, rough or flaky, especially after washing. Cold weather, central heating, long hot showers and harsh cleansers all make it worse, and skin tends to get drier as you get older.

Dry is different from dehydrated. Dry skin lacks oil, while dehydrated skin lacks water and can happen to any skin type, oily included.

• Morning: a gentle cream or milky cleanser, or just lukewarm water, then a hydrating serum like Medik8 Hydr8 B5 30ml, a rich moisturiser and SPF
• Night: a balm or cream cleanser, your serum, then a richer cream than you use in the morning

Apply serum and moisturiser while your skin is still slightly damp. It helps hold the water in.

• Help: ceramides, hyaluronic acid, glycerin, panthenol, squalane and shea butter
• Make it worse: foaming cleansers that leave skin squeaky, toners with a lot of alcohol, scrubbing, and very hot water

You probably do not need an exfoliating acid every day. Once or twice a week with a gentle one like lactic acid is plenty.

Skin should feel more comfortable within a few days of switching to gentler products. Repairing the barrier properly takes two to four weeks of steady use.

If you have patches that stay itchy, cracked or red despite a good routine, see your GP or a dermatologist, as it could be eczema or another skin condition.

Yes. Dry skin can use retinoids and acids, but go slowly: two nights a week to begin, and apply your moisturiser first if your skin stings. Lactic acid is usually kinder to dry skin than glycolic acid.

Choose a creamy SPF rather than a mattifying one, and wear it every day.

• Under €30: Purito Mighty Bamboo Panthenol Cream 100ml or Dr.Reju-All All Advanced LC-Ceramide Barrier Cream 50ml, both rich, barrier repairing creams
• €50 to €80: Medik8 Hydr8 B5 30ml under your moisturiser, or Melumé Skinscience Hydrating Cream 8HA 50ml as the moisturiser itself
• €90 and up: SkinCeuticals Epidermal Repair Cream 40ml for skin that is very dry, sensitised or recovering from treatments

Get in touch and tell us how your skin feels an hour after washing, and we will help you choose.