7 Skin Care Hacks for Dry Skin

Experiencing a dry spell? We’re talking about your complexion, of course! It’s not uncommon to experience dry skin in the winter, and if you already have a dry skin type, you might feel like you’re stuck in an unsuccessful loop of treatment after treatment. 

Well, it’s time to kick your skin care routine up a notch. The following hacks can help make caring for dry skin a little bit easier. From applying moisturizer at times you may not have considered, to pumping moisture back into the air, there are a few simple steps you can take to help keep your dry skin looking and feeling its best. 

DRY SKIN HACK #1: TRY A WATER-BASED MOISTURIZER

Every skin type should moisturize morning and night—but if you have dry skin, it’s especially important. That’s because dry skin faces external factors like pollution and UV rays that can damage skin’s moisture barrier, increasing loss of moisture and causing it to become drier. As a result, the skin surface loses its natural glow, becoming dull. Try a water-based moisturizer, like the L’Oréal Paris Hydra Genius Daily Liquid Care for Normal/Dry Skin, which is formulated with hyaluronic acid and aloe vera water to help provide long-lasting hydration and make your skin look more radiant. Just note: Make sure to layer a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher over your moisturizer in the morning. 

DRY SKIN CARE HACK #2: Moisturize At Unexpected Times, Too 

While you may already know that the best time to apply moisturizer is after cleansing, when your skin is still damp, there are other times you may not be considering. When you travel by airplane, the dry air on the plane can really zap moisture from your skin. Pre and post-flight, be sure to cleanse and moisturize your skin. Try the L'Oréal Paris Micellar Cleansing Water Complete Cleanser Waterproof - All Skin Types and follow up with the easy-on-the-go L'Oréal Paris Age Perfect Hydra Nutrition All Over Manuka Honey Balm - Face, Neck, Chest and Hands. Curious about other times you should be moisturizing. Check out our article about five unexpected times you should apply moisturizer. 

DRY SKIN HACK #3: TURN DOWN THE TEMPS IN THE SHOWER

Steamy hot water temps might feel soothing—especially in the cold weather months—but they can be doing more hard than good to your skin. When you do shower, make sure to rinse off in lukewarm water, since super-hot H2O can actually strip your skin of moisture, something you especially don’t want if you have dry skin. If you must bathe in hot water, try to limit the amount of time you spend in the tub.

DRY SKIN HACK #4: MIX FOUNDATION INTO YOUR MOISTURIZER

Applying foundation over a dry, flaky face isn’t exactly a recipe for a dewy-looking complexion. And if you have dry skin, you’re going to want to avoid powder foundation, since this can just make your face look even drier. For a glow-y look, mix in a bit of a liquid foundation, like the L’Oréal Paris True Match Super Blendable Makeup, into your moisturizer—and apply it with the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Blend Artist Foundation Blender. If you love the idea of a no-makeup, makeup-inspired glowing complexion, instead of reaching for a foundation, consider trying L'Oréal Paris Skin Paradise Water Infused Tinted Moisturizer instead. The lightweight formula offers a natural yet glowing finish plus all day hydration.

DRY SKIN HACK #5: ADD MOISTURE TO THE AIR 

If you live in a dry climate, then all that lack of moisture in the air could be adding to your dry skin. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) states that using a humidifier is something you should consider doing if you have dry skin, since it can help add moisture back into the air. Go ahead and place one in your bedroom! 

DRY SKIN HACK #6: CLEANSE ON THE GO

When you have dry skin, you want to be gentle—and the last thing you should do is over-cleanse. But after you’ve been getting all sweaty from a workout, or you’re out running errands in a protective face mask, you’ll want to keep your skin clean. So, pack some face wipes for convenience. We recommend the L'Oréal Paris Ideal Clean All Skin Types Makeup Removing Towelettes. These alcohol-free towelettes will dissolve dirt and oil but won’t dry out the skin.

DRY SKIN HACK #7: MASSAGE YOUR FACE WITH A FACE SCRUB

Face scrubs are absolute magic for all skin types, but especially dry skin. Designed to buff away built-up dead skin cells, makeup, dirt, and impurities, face scrubs are super-beneficial when it comes to clearer, smoother complexions. To see for yourself, try using the L’Oréal Paris Pure-Sugar Purify & Unclog Kiwi Scrub for skin that feels smoothed, comforted, and softer with continued use over time. Remember, you should only exfoliate a couple of times a week or as recommended by your dermatologist.

DRY SKIN HACK #8: Heal While You Conceal

When you think about the skin on your face getting dry, are you forgetting about your under-eye area? Don’t, it needs moisture too! And if you have dark circles, you might find it hard to hydrate the area while you also cover those circles with a concealer—until now. The L’Oréal Paris True Match Eye Cream in a Concealer, 0.5% Hyaluronic Acid let’s you cover your dark under-eye circles while infusing the skin there with a dose of hydration so it looks better over time.

Next: Best Nighttime Skin Care Routine for Dry Skin