Top 5 Products For Dry Skin
As I focus on hydration this month (and pretty much every month tbh) I thought I’d talk about all the products I’ve been using lately to help give my dry skin that hit of moisture it needs. Here are my top 5 products if you, like me, suffer with dryness…
This Month’s Top 5 for dry skin
Just A Few of My Favourites
1.Oskia Skincare Renaissance Mask
This is quite possibly my very favourite product this month. I bought it from Space NK after some very good advice from the lovely skin expert there on how to help my dry skin. The first step (it seems obvious when you think about it) is to get rid of the dead skin from the top layer, so the hydration can actually get actually through. However, for my sensitive skin, scrubs and exfoliators which some might normally use, can be too harsh and leave my skin feeling sore and irritated. That’s why this Oskia mask works so well. It’s a light cream which you gently rub into your face until it turns white. You leave it on but it doesn’t go hard or dry down like some other, harsher masks, so it makes it perfect for sensitive skin. The antioxidants and vitamins in this balm mask help enhance cell turnover too so it’s not just a one hit instant wonder. Once it’s rubbed in and all white, you leave it on for 10-15 mins and then just wash it off with warm water. I’ve been using it twice a week and can definitely say I am seeing less dry skin and flaking and it’s made me feel more hydrated and radiant. 10/10 for this bad boy!
2. Kiehl’s Ultra Light Daily Defense SPF 50
I live in London and this past week has been HOT (for Easter in London anyway). Whether it’s hot or not though, I wear SPF everyday. As I have dry skin I am so much more aware I am going to get wrinkles. My mum is 60 and barely has any, which she puts down to her VERY oily skin when she was younger. Great! One thing I don’t inherit. One sure fire way to help reduce the wrinkles is SPF and my protection of choice lately has been the Kiehl’s Ultra Light Daily Defense SPF 50. I always use 50 - I know you can get 30 and that usually comes as standard in some day creams and foundations, but I want to go that step further. I am pale and very red based so I can stand outside for 2 mins and I will look like a tomato. I like this product because it protects, it moisturises but it’s also not too oily. A few minutes after it’s rubbed in I don’t notice it - other than feeling like I have that extra hydration and protection I need - especially in this weather. So if you want protection and hydration in one, I would definitely recommend.
The downside of having dry skin (is there an upside!?) is that my lips get dry too. I drink loads of water and have used lip salves and balms for years, but half way through the day I would still find the surface of my lips would be rough and feel… well, what’s the opposite of plump? I knew I wanted to try some Glossier products and the starter kit happened to include their balm. It can help any dry skin apparently but I have just been using it on my lips and I have noticed such a difference. Even on the days I don’t use it now I have noticed a long-term effect. My lips always look plump and when I layer on some of my fav lip products (read more about that here) over the top I feel like I am really showing them in their best light. The balm comes in different flavours, I went for original but I will certainly trying out (ALL) the others very soon. A definite win for me!
4. The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid
I will be honest with you… acids and serums and oils scared me for a long time. I never really understood how to use them or the order they should go in. I had heard about retinols and the warnings and it all just seemed a bit much. I steered clear. Read more about serums, oils and acids here. Then The Ordinary came along with its amazing packaging and AMAZING price point and I thought I would give it a go. If you want to start off with a serum / acid and you’re looking for a boost of hydration, I would recommend this product. I have been using a few drops about 4 times a week on my damp face and then lots of moisturiser and I’ve seen some great results. A definite win if you’re feeling a little dehydrated.
5. Herbivore Botanicals Emerald Deep Moisture Glow Oil
Another new one - this is helping with my hydration for sure. It’s used to brighten and hydrate and I have been using a few drops morning and evening and it’s done just that. My skin, as I have said, is very sensitive and becomes irritated and red quite often. This product contains cannabis sativa seed oil which helps to calm this irritation in the skin. As I am using a few new products I can’t say for sure that this is working on its own to hydrate but the combination of this, my mask, a good moisturiser and SPF, my skin has never looked better. If you have dry skin and haven’t tried a facial oil, this could be what you’ve been looking for!
If you have any recommendations of great products for dry skin please let me know.