As the seasons change and we get a little bit older (but wiser!) one of the first places we may notice a difference in our bodies is our skin. Overly dry and irritated skin can be unpleasant, cause discomfort and can even take a hit to your self confidence. But rehydrating a depleted complexion is completely possible, and dare we say, easy—thanks to our top picks for face moisturisers for dry skin.
Women’s Health spoke to Professor Augustinus Bader, biomedical scientist, physician and founder of cult favourite skincare brand Augustinus Bader about what causes dry skin, what ingredients we should be looking out for, and simple steps on how to repair a damaged skin barrier.
What is the root cause of dry skin?
According to Professor Bader, there are several different reasons that can cause dry skin. This includes a mix of environmental factors like cold weather and pollution which dehydrates the skin. Biological factors also play a role. As people age, their skin thins and produces less of the oils needed to retain water.
“Skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis as well as allergic reactions to foods, soaps or laundry detergents can further exacerbate skin dryness by disrupting the skin’s natural barrier function,” he adds.
What ingredients are best for dry skin?
For dry skin, Professor Bader recommends hydrating ingredients such as hyaluronic acid and shea butter as they draw moisture into the skin. More soothing ingredients like aloe vera and niacinamide will also help restore and protect the skin barrier.
Additional ingredients that nourish the lipid barrier of the skin also include B5, argan oil, evening primrose oil and vitamin E. These help to build up the skin and avoid transepidermal water loss.
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How do you rehydrate extremely dry skin?
“To effectively rehydrate extremely dry skin, it is vital to apply topical skincare products like moisturisers and oils to help trap moisture,” Professor Bader says.
While hydration is paramount, he also advises it takes time, patience and lifestyle changes to make a real lasting impact.
“Your skin needs time to heal and regenerate, so it is important to be consistent with your skincare routine and allow time for the skin to adjust and repair itself. Lifestyle changes such as limiting hot showers, drinking more water and using a humidifier during the colder months can help rehydrate extremely dry skin,” he explains.
What are the basic steps to repair your skin barrier?
Professor Bader suggests five basic steps you should implement into your daily routine to moisturise dry and irritated skin:
1. Use a gentle cleanser
Harsh cleansers can further damage your skin barrier so choose a gentle, PH-balanced option that cleans without stripping the skin’s natural oils.
2. Moisturise
Choose a facial moisturiser with high-impact lipids to help lock in the goodness and strengthen the skin’s protective barrier. For delicate areas, like around the eyes and lip, you may want to opt for an eye cream or nourishing lip balm. Plus, don’t forget a body cream! Together, these products support and fortify the skin, helping it stay hydrated and resilient.
3. Limit exfoliation
Over-exfoliating can weaken the skin barrier, causing it to become overly dry. Use physical and chemical exfoliants sparingly to avoid irritation and allow your skin to renew naturally.
4. Protect from environmental stressors
UV exposure, pollution and harsh weather can damage your skin barrier. Apply SPF (choose one with a minimum SPF50+) every day and try to find products with antioxidants to fight environmental damage.
5. Stay hydrated
Drinking plenty of water and eating a balanced diet supports skin health from the inside out. It may not seem like it but our skin’s appearance is reflected in the quality of our lifestyle choices—from emotional health, nutrition and even the air we breathe.
Best face moisturiser for dry skin
Use this as your daily moisturiser to hydrate and nourish. The research-backed formulation supports cellular renewal and prevents water loss, resulting in soft, supple, plump and smooth skin. It’s even been clinically proven to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles for good measure.
A staple in any cool girl’s French pharmacy haul, the Cicaplast Baume B5+ has gained cult status over the years—and for good reason. It’s designed to hydrate, repair and nourish even the driest of skin thanks to a powerful formulation of vitamin B5, Tribioma to soothe sensitive skin and Madecassoside which encourages skin renewal.
Here’s one for the K-beauty fans. This hyaluronic cream is a great all-round moisturiser you can use as the last step in your morning routine. Pat into the skin to hydrate without that heavy feeling, while protecting the skin from moisture loss and impacts from the environment.
Combat very dry skin with this intensely nourishing cream that looks to smooth and hydrate. It’s supported by retinol for that extra oomph to help firm up your complexion. Use it as the last step of your night time routine, or if you choose to wear it in the morning, don’t forget to follow up with SPF.
Best face moisturiser for dry sensitive skin
Ideal for dry and sensitive skin, this nourishingly creamy moisturiser creates almost like a physical protective layer to help lock in all the goodness. Use this to replenish dull skin and to restore your natural moisture barrier.
Bioderma’s hydrating moisturiser is a great option for those with sensitive skin. It helps the skin to generate its own moisture to combat a dry, dull and lacklustre complexion. It even promotes water retention and can be used day or night (or both!) over the face and neck.
Aussie-made Alpha-H packs a punch with this hydration cream. It’s cruelty free, vegan and free from sulphate, mineral oil and parabens. It hydrates and nourishes dry skin while also soothing redness in the complexion, diminishes fine lines, and can even promote collagen.
Best face moisturiser for irritated skin
Hate that greasy feeling you get with some facial moisturisers? You won’t find any of that here. This one from Clinique is lightweight yet still incredibly nourishing all thanks to some pretty interesting technology. It helps the skin to create its own water source to keep your skin hydrated and is said to lock everything in for 100 hours.
Another heavy hitter in the French pharmacy beauty game, there’s a reason why so many refer to this as “the 24 hour miracle cream”. It protects the skin from moisture loss, restores elasticity and boosts dehydrated skin. It can even be used as a mask, cleanser and primer so it’s basically four products in one.
With a star rating of 4.7 out of 5 across just shy of 14,000 reviews, this best-selling moisturiser from Kiehls is a firm favourite. It’s lightweight, doesn’t feel greasy and is said to repair your skin barrier 55% faster based on a study, giving you super fast relief and up to 24 hours of hydration.
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