Dry skin is a skin type that is characterized by having less oil and moisture and feeling uncomfortably tight and rough. In the extreme case cracked and flakey. It naturally produces less sebum which often impacts proper barrier function. With a weakened skin barrier, it is less protected from environmental factors such as pollution and bacteria. 

Dry skin is actually a chronic hydration problem. You can say the water source for the skin is sort of in a constant mild drought. There are two primary ways skin loses water: from perspiration, and from trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL). TEWL is the way in which our skin diffuses nearly half a liter of water from our skin daily. It often occurs when the skin barrier is compromised or damaged.

This loss of water results in less natural moisturizing factors (NMFs) such as amino acids, urea, and lactic acids in our skin. These molecules are useful for our health and help bind and retain water in our skin. In addition, dry skin generally has far less epidermal lipids (fats) such as ceramides, fatty acids, and cholesterol which are needed to create a fortified skin barrier. 

Dry skin is different from dehydrated skin in that dry skin is a skin type and dehydrated skin is a skin condition. Both may appear and feel the same, however, dehydrated skin is temporarily lacking water, so be mindful of your makeup use, diet, weather changes, and the products you’re using to keep skin properly hydrated. 

Here’s a simple 3-step routine for dry skin types:

O2 Hydra Mist

The O2 Mist is a calming spray mist made to maximize oxygen circulation and allow the skin to breathe easier. With natural ingredients such as Witch Hazel, Mineral Concentrate, and Aloe Vera, the O2 Mist invigorates the skin while creating a protective barrier against further environmental assault caused by temperature extremes, pollution, irritating cosmetic products, harsh detergents, chemical exposure, stress, or hormonal factors.

Silk Milk Cleanser

The Silk Milk Cleanser is specially formulated for hypersensitive and drier skin types. This extremely light and gentle cleanser is great for post-peel treatment and daily use. With natural Safflower, Aloe Vera, and Tocopherol, this product protects and soothes skin damaged by pollution, irritating cosmetic products, harsh detergents, chemical exposures, stress, poor diet or hormonal factors. 

Super Moisture Cream

This rich and nourishing anti-oxidant cream utilizes 10% Vitamin E to moisturize skin that is in desperate need of hydration and comfort. Vitamin E reduces inflammation while healing and soothing tight, dry skin. By leaving a protective barrier on the surface of the skin, Super Moisture Cream prevents moisture loss throughout the day and leaves even the driest skin feeling comfortable and supple. 

Or try this discovery kit with all of our favorite dry skin products.

Super Hydration Kit

Replenish dehydrated skin cells and reduce tight, stingy, redness-prone skin. Cellular Hydration Masque heals with Allantoin and hydrates with Squalane and Sodium Hyaluronate. Aloe Response Mask soothes and calms, and Super Moisture Serum deeply replenishes skin.