Dry skin is the worst—especially when it’s cold, windy, or basically anytime the seasons decide not to cooperate with your skincare routine.
If your face feels tight, flaky, or just overall meh, it’s time to hit refresh.
These dry skin care hacks are easy, effective, and kind of a game-changer for keeping your skin smoother, softer, and glowier every single day.
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1. Moisturize On Damp Skin
Here’s the deal: moisturizing right after washing your face or showering locks in way more hydration.
Pat your skin dry so it’s still a little damp, then slather on your favorite moisturizer.
This simple tip can make a major difference in how soft your skin feels all day.
Bonus points if your lotion is packed with hydrating ingredients and ingredients that help maintain a healthy skin barrier like hyaluronic acid or ceramides.
2. Incorporate Hydrating Face Masks
Don’t underestimate the power of a good hydrating face mask.
Look for options packed with ingredients like aloe vera, glycerin, or hyaluronic acid to give your skin an extra boost of moisture.
Use one 1-2 times a week to lock in hydration and leave your skin feeling plump and refreshed.
Sheet masks or overnight masks are especially great for dry skin!
3. Invest in a Humidifier
When your skin starts feeling like the Sahara Desert, it’s probably not just you—it’s the air, too.
Heating systems zap the humidity out of your home, which leaves your skin extra dry.
A humidifier is your best bet for bringing moisture back into the air (and into your skin).
Keep one in your bedroom, so your skin stays hydrated while you sleep.
4. Switch to a Gentle Cleanser
If your face feels tight after washing, your cleanser might be too harsh.
Ditch anything foamy, stripping, or drying, and go for a creamy, non-foaming cleanser instead.
Look for words like “hydrating” or “soothing” on the label.
Cleansing oils work wonders for removing makeup without turning your skin into sandpaper.
5. Try “Moisture Sandwiching”
This layering technique is having a major moment in the skincare world—and for good reason.
Here’s how to do it: start with a hydrating toner or essence, follow with a serum (preferably with hyaluronic acid), and top it all off with a heavier moisturizer.
Think of it like piling on layers to trap as much moisture as possible.
6. Limit Hot Showers
We get it—steamy showers feel amazing, but they’re not doing your skin any favors.
Hot water strips your skin of natural oils, leaving it even drier.
Stick to lukewarm water instead, and keep your shower time short.
Your best bet is to NOT wash your face in the shower at all. Wash your face over the sink with lukewarm water after you’ve showered.
7. Use Petroleum Jelly or Ointments for Extra Dry Areas
For those seriously dry patches (looking at you, elbows, knees, and hands), skip the fancy lotions and go straight for petroleum jelly or a thick ointment.
It’s simple, affordable, and ridiculously effective at locking in moisture.
If you feel like Vaseline is too much for your skin, go for something like La Roche Posay Cicaplast Balm B5, which is super thick and nourishing, but not quite as occlusive.
Apply at night and let it do its’ thing while you sleep.
8. Exfoliate—But Not Too Much
Flaky skin needs exfoliation, but overdoing it can leave your skin even drier.
Stick to gentle exfoliators and limit it to twice a week max.
Chemical exfoliants like lactic acid or mandelic acid are great for sloughing off dead skin without being too harsh.
These two options are great for more sensitive or dry skin!
Your moisturizer will absorb better, too.
9. Drink More Water (Seriously)
You’ve probably heard this a million times, but hydration starts from the inside.
If you’re not drinking enough water, your skin will definitely show it.
Aim for eight glasses a day, and try cutting back on caffeine, which can be dehydrating.
Still feel dehydrated? Add electrolytes to your drink for an extra hydration perk.
10. Don’t Forget Lip Care
Your lips need love, too.
Use a hydrating lip balm with ingredients like shea butter or healing ointment with ceramides, and don’t skimp on reapplying throughout the day.
Slather on a thick layer before bed for an overnight moisturizing treatment—it’ll save you from waking up with chapped lips.
Enjoyed this? Also check out:
9 Best Fixes for Persistently Dry and Chapped Lips
Revitalize Dry Hands with These 9 Miracle Tricks
11 Genius Wrinkle Remedies You Can Easily Do at Home
Unveiling the Secret to Korean Glass Skin: Your Ultimate Guide
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