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Every time I think back to that day when I saw myself in the mirror, I feel like a different person. I felt like I was standing in a desert for a week without water; my skin was so dry and flaky. The feeling of tightness and discomfort made me think it was my daily companion, and no matter what I did, I could not leave it behind. If you have this, you are probably having the same frustrating battle against dry skin that I fought before.

Eventually, after trying-out various products that were supposed to cure my skin but turned out to be flops, and after spending more cash than I cared to, I finally solved the riddle. Therefore, I would like to let you know the dry skin face care routine that completely changed my appearance and, I must admit, my self-confidence as well.

Knowing the reason why your skin feels rough

Before I tell you my routine, let’s first discuss the reasons for dry skin. Although I always supposed it is just a matter of luck or genetics, it is a lot more. Our skin, as I mentioned before, is a natural barrier, and it should keep moisture in and irritants out of the body. When this barrier is damaged or removed, it is impossible for us to replace it.

A number of things can damage this protective barrier: over-exposure to the sun, over-cleansing, using products with alcohol or high fragrances, age-related skin changes, and even psychological stress. Through my own experience, I learned that. For example, I would use a popular face-wash, that made my skin feel squeaking clean–but which, in fact, was the cause of the problem: it takes away the oil naturally produced by skin.

In general, the most effective face care routine for dry skin is not simply about adding water; it is about repairing and protecting the that barrier while dealing your skin the water it desperately needs.

My Morning Routine: Kick Starting the Day

Protection and mild-hydration are the main theme of my morning routine. Experience taught me that how you wake up in the morning determines how your skin will feel and behave for the rest of the day.

I begin with tepid water, never too hot because hot water severely dissembles the natural oils the skin produces. It is not that foaming cleansers are my most formidable weapons, I just make sure that my chosen cream-based cleanser is gentle and does not foam like soap. Actually, foaming cleansers were one of my biggest mistakes in the past.

After drying (not rubbing) my face with a towel, I immediately apply a morning moisturizer on my skin still a bit damp. The method, called “wet skin moisturizing,” is a trick that helps to latch on extra water to the skin. I find that the Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Face Lotion with Soothing Prebiotic Oat is the ideal one for this situation. It contains oat extract which is very calming especially when I have an unpleasant day with my skin, and it yet soaks into the skin really fast without that greasy feeling which makes you think about washing it off immediately.

This formula contains the prebiotic oat which is great because it aims at the skin’s natural microbiome function. Until I started researching dry skin solutions, I didn’t know that our skin has its ecosystem; but that balance is the key to getting well-hydrated skin.

Awakening the Evening: Where the Transformation Happens

Evening is the time for me to take out the big guns. This is the rare moment when your skin is working most and repairing itself. My night face care routine for dry skin has a greater focus on hydration and layering moisture that I’m not scared to apply.

I am using the same gentle cleansing approach as in the morning, but then I go a step further. After cleansing, I apply the CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream, that I tell you, this product is a lifesaver. It is enriched with ceramides, like the bricks in your skin’s wall, and contains peptides for skin renewal as well.

What I particularly love about this night cream is that it is really thick but at the same time being light-weight. You can tell it’s working without the feeling of being in bed with a mask on. In the morning, I touch my face, and that velvety, smooth feeling brings me back to life. I have experienced the difference firsthand, my skin is softer, it is more relaxed and I can tell the difference in a good way.

The Weekly Treatment that Changed the Game

Now, I want to share the key filler that took my routine form a good to an excellent one: the e.l.f. Skin Holy Hydration! The Essentials Mini Kit. This kit is a total game changer and has become my weekly intensive treatment; really, I wish I found it sooner.

It is a set of many hydration products that play together like a symphony of a concert. I make use of this full system one or two times a week when my skin demands that treatment. My fave is the serum that has hyaluronic acid in the kit. You sprinkle one ounce of serum, and it will pay back you with a one-thousand-ocean drink for your skin.

After you finish this article, have a look for My Complete Morning Face Care Routine

What I admire about this kit is that it saves the uncertainty of whether to layer products or not. Everything is created to help each other, so you do not have to worry about the conflict of the ingredients or one piece nullifying the advantages of others.

The Heavy Artillery: When Dry Skin Gets Out of Control

For those days, when you have very dry skin and just the thought of playing a sport with a big smile makes you run out of tears, I turn my “moisture bomb” – the Curel Japanese Skin Care Intensive Face Moisturizer Cream. I have always been stunned by how Japanese skincare nurtures and cares for our skin with gentle yet effective ingredients, and this cream is one of them.

This is not just a simple moisturizer; it is my go-to product when the skin is in a war of its own. The formula is rich and super nourishing yet free from pore-clogging ingredients, so it can be delicate to find that balance. I have survived winter by using it when the air is dry from heating and it has literally saved my complexion.

The texture is rich and thick, but no matter how much product you use it will not be too much. I warm it in my palms before applying it by lightly pressing it into my skin, paying attention to the areas that are usually the driest like my cheeks and the corners of my mouth.

The Small Items That Cost Less to Make a Huge Impact

In addition to the products that I use, I realized that the minor points in your face care routine for dry skin can make or break your results. These are some of the habits that I have changed, and they have made a world of difference:

I got a humidifier for my bedroom. Nobody loves dry air which is the number one enemy of dry skin, especially in winter months or if you live in an arid area. Sleeping in a room with moisture in the air is like a shower for your skin.

I also upped my pillowcase game. Using silk or satin pillowcases not only helps with your skin but also with your hair by causing less friction which is irritating to the dry skin. It may sound luxurious, but you can get affordable ones that definitely make a difference.

Water temperature also started to matter. You see, a hot shower feels fantastic, especially after a tiring day, but I have trained myself to use lukewarm water on my face and finish with a cool rinse. The cool water can seal your pores better and can make your skin to look more awake and refreshed.

Common Mistakes I Made (So You Don’t Have To)

Let me share the biggest mistakes I made on my face care journey so that you don’t make them.

First of all, I over-exfoliated. I thought scrubbing would get rid of the dry and flaky skin, but it actually made the problem worse by further damaging my skin’s protective barrier. Nowadays I exfoliate very lightly, about once a week, with a chemical exfoliant rather than a harsh scrub.

Secondly, I used too many products at once. When you need to find relief, you often have the temptation to try everything at once, but this can result in a confused skin that can’t tell which products are okay and which ones are irritating.

Third, I didn’t give products enough time to work. If you have some, that’s no good. Most of the good products contain herbs that do the cure after a period of time of four to six weeks that you need to utilize the product correctly. Patience is hard-earned, but it’s the key to the success.

Listening to Your Skin’s Various Needs

A very valuable lesson that I have learned is that the skin needs changes. What is excellent during summer can be inadequate in winter. Pollution, stress, menstrual cycles, jet-lag, and suddenly changing your diet can also dry your skin.

I became more flexible with my routine. Like use of the Curel cream every night instead of just occasionally on days of particularly dry spells.Having my skin back to balance I might just be stick with the Aveeno lotion.

Be observant. If your skin becomes drier or dull, that is the time to increase your hydration. Conversely, if you get an irritation or a breakout it isn’t a bad idea to take a step back and simplify what you are doing.

The Comfort of Living with Comfortable Skin

I want to conclude this part with something that might seem superficial but really isn’t: the confidence that comes with being comfortable in your skin. The moment your face is no longer tight, flaky, or itchy, you stop thinking about your skin. You are able to focus on other things, you can smile without fear of skin cracking, and you will feel good in your own skin all the time.

Having a proper face care routine for dry skin is not for vanity, it’s for health and comfort. Your skin is your widest body and the correct care of it affects your mental and physical states.

Also i recommend you to check My Complete Face Care Routine for Oily Skin

The items which I have introduced to you – the Curel intensive cream, CeraVe night cream, Avenue daily lotion, and e.l.f. hydrating kit – are my trustworthy allies on the journey so far. But, remember, what worked for me might need some adjustments for your unique skin. Go slow, be patient, and don’t hesitate to change the routine according to your skin’s needs.

The transition to happier, more hydrated skin is made when you use the first gentle cleanser and properly apply the first moisturizer. I am telling you, your future self will be grateful for this action.