These moisturizers help prevent dry, flaky skin year-round. There’s nothing worse than dry, flaky skin—whether it’s from cold winter weather or from using a particularly harsh skin-care product on your face. Luckily, the best moisturizers for dry skin can quickly hydrate even the driest skin.
But first: What exactly causes dry skin? Part of it has to do with your skin type—some people are naturally drier than others, and it’s largely genetic. Skin conditions like psoriasis and eczema, chlorine in swimming pools
Getting older can also contribute to a dry, dull complexion.
“As you age, your skin becomes thinner, so it retains less water,” explains Meghan Feely, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New Jersey and New York City and an instructor in clinical dermatology at Mount Sinai. Of course, if you have dry skin, it’s important to use a good moisturizer to hydrate your skin and restore your skin barrier.
But finding the right moisturizer—especially one for your skin type—can be a daunting task. Here are the best moisturizers for dry skin that dermatologists recommend right now (from drugstore finds to luxury products!)
Shine.
CeraVe Moisturizer: “Ceramides are emollients that can help repair the skin barrier in conditions like eczema,” says Dr. Feel. They’re the foundation for all CeraVe products, including the popular moisturizer that’s recommended by so many dermatologists we interviewed.
Perfect for all skin types, the gentle, nonirritating formula can be used all over the body and is packed with ingredients to provide intense hydration for even the most dehydrated skin. Bonus: You’ll get 16 ounces of product!
Glow Recipe Plum Plumping Hyaluronic Acid Cream: If your mature skin needs some extra plumping, this ultra-hydrating, lightweight cream from Glow Recipe is perfect for you. It’s packed with ingredients like hyaluronic acid
Antioxidant-rich plum plums plump and brighten skin while reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
“This moisturizer leaves my skin plumped and refreshed! “I use it every morning and my skin looks amazing all day,” raves one reviewer, noting that it gives “the most beautiful dewy glow.”
First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream Intense Moisturization: According to Dr. Harth, simethicone is one of the best moisturizers for acne-prone skin. “It’s a man-made compound that’s known to reduce moisture loss without leaving a greasy feeling or clogging pores,” he says.
First Aid Beauty’s Ultra Repair Cream contains this ingredient along with hydrating ceramides, soothing colloidal oatmeal, and enriching shea butter. Since it’s fragrance- and alcohol-free, it’s perfect for people with sensitive skin — even those with eczema or extremely itchy skin can use it.
The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factor + HA Daily Moisturizer: There’s a reason this $10 product won Best Night Cream at the 2020 Health & Beauty Awards. “I love it so much because it’s so affordable,” says Dr. Harth.
“It does a great job of incorporating key ingredients like hyaluronic acid into a beauty-elegant formula that’s not too heavy.” I use it at night after taking tretinoin. ”
It also contains ceramides and triglycerides to support a healthy moisture barrier. Plus, the tube packaging is travel-friendly and keeps the product sealed and hygienic. (No sprouting fingers tumbling in the glass.) Clarins
Hydra-Intense Cream This high-quality cream from Clarins contains soothing botanicals, shea butter, and dimethicone to help dry skin retain moisture. Illustrator. Testers raved about the silky-soft finish, good hold under makeup, and pleasant wearing comfort. Pros: It’s noncomedogenic and free of sulfates and parabens.
If you like your creams a little thicker (but not too heavy), this rich, luxurious formula is perfect for you. How to Choose the Best Moisturizer for Dry Skin. Beware of irritants: Alcohol can dry out skin, says Mona Gohara, MD, associate clinical professor of dermatology at the Yale School of Medicine and a member of the Preventive Medicine Review Board. Sulfates, dyes, and fragrances can also be harsh and irritating, causing more trouble than they’re worth. In general, if you experience redness, itching, or other discomfort after using a moisturizer, opt for a simpler product.
Find a Moisturizer: Many ingredients can soothe the skin while hydrating it. It may take some trial and error to find the ones that work best for your skin, but ingredients to look out for are: hyaluronic acid, ceramides, urea, botanicals
oils, aloe vera, shea butter, glycerin, squalane, soy, colloids, oatmeal, and B vitamins. Know Your Skin Type: If your skin is very dry and sensitive (or you have a skin condition), a richer cream or lotion may achieve the desired effect. People with oily or acne-prone skin will benefit from a lighter, gel formula.
DQH Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C?
It’s easy to create a skincare routine, but knowing how to use it is another thing entirely. In most cases, if you’re not getting the desired skin results, it could be due to the layering of conflicting ingredients. So, is it possible that salicylic acid and vitamin C are such ingredients? Or are these active ingredients the duo that’s been missing from your skincare routine? If you want answers, stick around because today we are going to explain the benefits of salicylic acid and vitamin C and how they can be used in your daily life.
What are the benefits of salicylic acid for skin?
Salicylic acid is one of the most commonly used beta hydroxy acids and is favored by many people with oily, acne-prone skin. This acid is derived from willow bark, and unlike its water-soluble relatives (called alpha-hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble, which means it can penetrate deeper into the lower layers of the skin. Once it reaches the lower layers, it can help unclog pores of excess sebum, dirt, bacteria, debris, and impurities. This results in clearer skin tones and greater definition.
Not only does salicylic acid benefit the underlying layers, but the outer surface of the skin benefits as well. When applied to the skin, salicylic acid removes the buildup of dead skin cells. This is accomplished by breaking the bonds that hold dead cells to the surface. Over time, this can cause the complexion to look dull and prone to acne, blackheads, and other blemishes.
If you’d like to learn more about salicylic acid and how it can improve your skin, check out this dedicated blog post from a beauty insider.
What are the benefits of vitamin C for skin?
Vitamin C is considered one of the most powerful antioxidants, which means it is very effective at fighting free radicals and preventing them from causing further skin damage. Examples of free radicals include pollution, central heating, UV rays and harsh climate. They attack proteins, fats and cell membranes as soon as they come into contact with the skin, causing signs of premature aging such as fine lines and wrinkles as well as hyperpigmentation, flaky patches of skin and loss of elasticity.
Many people usually prefer to use vitamin C in their morning routine as this ingredient gives the complexion a radiant glow. You’ll also find that vitamin C can target areas of hyperpigmentation, plumping the skin and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
The thing about vitamin C is that there are a lot of outdated studies going back to the 1950s that describe vitamin C as an unstable skin component. Thanks to improvements in modern technology, this is no longer the case as all products now contain a stable form of vitamin C.
Visit The Beauty Insider to learn more about vitamin C. So please check out our blog post.
Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C?
Yes, you absolutely can. In fact, it’s thought that using salicylic acid before using vitamin C ensures it penetrates faster and works faster.
This is an efficient way to utilize two power sources, and the reason has to do with pH. For example, the skin’s natural pH is about 4.7, making it slightly acidic. Salicylic acid and vitamin C are also both acidic, and you’ll find that vitamin C is absorbed quickly into the skin. Therefore, using salicylic acid beforehand can increase the acidity of the skin and allow vitamin C to penetrate into the skin faster.
While this is considered an effective way to combine two powerful ingredients, you need to be aware of your skin type and how it reacts to certain active ingredients. Even people with perfect, normal skin can experience skin sensitivity and irritation. Therefore, always consult a doctor or dermatologist before using any new products on your skin.
It’s also important to follow skin application rules. In this case, you need to use the product correctly to ensure you get the best results for your skin. If you’re not sure what I mean, the basic rule for skin is to start with the thinnest consistency and work your way up to the thickest consistency. This prevents a barrier from forming on the surface, preventing other active ingredients from penetrating the skin.
Can I use salicylic acid at night and vitamin C in the morning?
Yes, absolutely, this is considered the most effective way to get returns without any adverse side effects. This is because there is enough time between applications to ensure that the skin’s pH levels return to balance.
You’ll also find that Vitamin C is rich in antioxidants and is perfect for use in the morning to ensure your skin is protected and looking its healthiest. Due to the small size of salicylic acid molecules, it is an acid that is able to reach the deepest parts of the skin. While this is effective at keeping skin clear, it also increases the risk of irritation and photosensitivity. Therefore, many people prefer to use powerful BHAs in their evening routine without exposure to UV rays, pollution, or harsh weather.
Warning: If you avoid using sunscreen every day, none of these ingredients will do what your skin needs. The combination of chemical peels and powerful ingredients increases the risk of further damage to the skin’s surface. Use SPF 50 every day to keep your skin protected and your lipid barrier healthy, even on cloudy days, keeping your skin in top condition.
