Dry & Dehydrated Skin
Does your skin feel tight after washing, flake, or look tired even though it gets oily during the day? Here you choose care that adds water to your skin and helps it hold on to it: toner, serum and cream. How to start ↓
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How to care for dry and dehydrated skin
Dry skin has few of its own lipids, feels rough and flakes. Dehydrated skin lacks water and can still be oily; it typically feels tight after washing and looks tired. Care for both rests on the same principle: add water (toner, serum) and help hold it in with a cream containing ceramides or panthenol.
Skin feels tight after washing
Start with gentle cleansing and apply a hydrating toner straight after washing, such as ROUND LAB 1025 Dokdo Toner or Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Hyaluronic Toner.
Cream is not enough and skin feels tight during the day
Add a hydrating serum under your cream, for example ANUA 7 Rice Ceramide Serum. If you prefer a ready-made pairing, the ANUA 7 Rice + Belif The True Cream DUO combines the serum with a richer cream.
Skin is dry and rough
Choose a richer cream with ceramides, such as Belif The True Cream Moisturizing Bomb or Pyunkang Yul Calming Moisture Barrier Cream.
Skin is dehydrated but oily
Light gel creams such as PURITO Hydro Wave Deep Sea Cream add water without a heavy film.
Not sure which step to start with when your skin feels tight, flakes or gets oily at the same time? The personal skincare consultation recommends one first step based on how your skin feels after cleansing and during the day. It takes about 3 minutes and is not a medical diagnosis.
Overnight masks and sheet masks
When your skin needs more comfort, add a mask, as often as the specific product's instructions suggest. Overnight masks such as PURITO Luminous Ceramide Sleeping Pack or ABIB Rice Probiotics Overnight Mask go on as the last evening step. Whether they replace your cream or go over it depends on the specific product’s instructions. Sheet masks such as Torriden Dive-In Hyaluronic Acid Mask suit the step after cleansing and toner.
A simple routine
Morning: a gentle wash or just water, hydrating toner, cream, SPF. Evening: cleansing, toner, serum if you like, cream. In winter it helps to wash with lukewarm water and cut back on exfoliation.
Frequently asked questions
How do I tell dry skin from dehydrated skin?
Dry skin feels rough and flakes all over and is usually not very oily. Dehydrated skin feels tight after washing and looks tired, but can still be oily. Both can occur at the same time.
Is a cream alone enough for dry skin?
Sometimes. If your skin still feels tight after cream, add a hydrating toner or serum underneath to add water.
Does drinking more water help?
Hydration matters for your whole body, but gentle cleansing and a cream that helps hold in moisture usually make more difference to how dry your skin feels.
Why does my skin flake more in winter?
Cold air outside and dry heated air inside dry the skin out. A richer cream, lukewarm water and less frequent exfoliation help.
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