10 Best Products for Dry Skin

Dry skin getting you down? You’re not alone.

Dryness is one of the most common skin complaints, but it’s also an easy one to remedy.

Nailing down a decent skincare routine can take your skin from flaky and tight to comfortable and—dare we say—dewy! Not sure where to start? Scroll down to find the products for dry skin that are made for you.

While some of us are born with dry skin, for many people, dryness is a condition that develops over time.

Pollution, seasonal changes, pets (yep, you can legit blame the dog), allergies, hot weather, AND cold weather can flip your skincare script and leave you with a touch of dry skin … or worse.

When you’re suddenly faced with itchy, red, flaky patches, picking up the right products is imperative. Working your way back to comfortable skin takes a little know-how and some special attention.

Curious about what products to use for dry skin? You’ve come to the right page. Keep scrolling to find some of the best sensitive and dry skin products on offer.

Great for building an anti-ageing regime, this nourishing formula hydrates the skin as it purifies. Plus, it tends to fine lines and wrinkles with a boost of softening, exfoliating Lactic Acid (an Alpha-Hydroxy Acid). Free from artificial dyes and fragrances, this rich and creamy cleanser won’t strip the skin of its natural goodness. Dermalogica Age Smart Skin Resurfacing Cleanser stimulates cell turnover to improve the look of dry skin. The gentle, cruelty-free, PETA-accredited blend effectively sweeps away pore-clogging dead skin cells. Rose Flower Oil soothes irritation, and Vitamin E provides protection from free radical damage. This is one of the best skin care products for men with dry skin, and a great choice for women too. Use morning and night for best results.

A bestselling treatment the AB team can’t get enough of, The Ordinary 100% Organic Cold-Pressed Rose Hip Seed Oil is great for addressing photo-ageing, or sun damage. It moisturises and hydrates skin that’s dry and unhappy, softening the skin and bringing it back into balance. Apply at night as part of your skincare routine to wake up with softer, smoother skin.

With daily use, Kiehl's Facial Fuel Energising Moisture Treatment for Men 75ml soothes the discomfort of dehydrated skin and balances moisture levels. This is one of those reliable skincare products for dry acne prone skin that won’t break you out further. Get in the habit of applying this cream morning and night after cleansing and toning, and you’ll start to feel good about your skin again. It only takes an extra minute twice a day to improve the look and feel of your skin.

Made with Passionfruit Seed, Macadamia Seed, and Avocado oils, this face cream simply feels good on your skin! Hunter Lab Daily Face Fuel 100ml is made in Australia and was originally intended for men. But that doesn't mean women can’t enjoy it too! Designed to complement an active lifestyle, the gorgeous texture suits anyone of any age. Use in the a.m. and p.m.—after cleansing, exfoliating, and toning—to enjoy softer, smoother skin.

You know that chalky white cast that many sunscreens leave? Yeah, well, you won’t experience that with this nifty little formula. Ultra Violette Supreme Screen SPF 50+ Hydrating Facial Sunscreen features Pentavitin, a deeply hydrating plant extract that reduces skin sensitivity. Australian Kakadu Plum offers Vitamin C protection. And Dragosine Plus shields your skin from UVA rays, UVB rays, and even the blue light from screens. Layering seamlessly under makeup, this is basically sun care that acts like skincare. Free from reef-killing oxybenzone, this hydrating sun cream works for anyone of any age.

Weleda Skin Food is a multitasking hero that can be applied to dry patches anywhere on the body. Helping hydrate even very dry skin, this whole-body cream includes Chamomile, Sweet Almond Oil, Lanolin, and Rosemary. The intoxicating scent will always make you feel good, and the nourishing formula keeps your skin as soft as can be. Also great for skin that's starting to show the signs of ageing, the hydrating blend addresses those pesky lines and wrinkles. A tube of this formula is a great investment because you don’t need to use a lot to see a big difference. Apply a small amount to skin that’s dry and rough, and let it absorb.

Whether you use innisfree Green Tea Cleansing Water 300ml as part of a double-cleanse routine (before a softening foaming cleanser would be great) or on its own, you’ll love how clean and fresh your skin looks and feels. A gentle formula that won’t irritate dry patches, this hydrating blend also helps your makeup go on smoother. To use, simply soak a cotton pad with product and sweep over your face. Follow with your usual dry skin serums, moisturiser, and sunscreen.

asap moisturising daily defence spf 50+ 100ml is a non-greasy, no-fuss product that tends to dry skin struggling with wrinkles and pigmentation. Working to protect your natural collagen reserves, this formula can help you fight the first signs of ageing. Zinc Oxide soothes the skin and creates a protective barrier against sun exposure and irritants. Niacinamide is a potent antioxidant that fortifies the skin’s protection against environmental aggressors, inflammation, breakouts, and redness. And Hyaluronic Acid locks in moisture all day. Apply this cream every morning for best results.

Working to restore a healthy balance to your complexion, Dr Hauschka Melissa Day Cream includes a fortifying blend of Witch Hazel and English Daisy, and (of course) Melissa Extract. Dry complexions of all ages will feel supple and comfortable after every application. Bring your complexion back to health with this gorgeous formula.

Bioderma Atoderm Ultra-Nourishing Cream is a fragrance-free, hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic formula that’s suitable for ultra-sensitive, irritated skin. Bursting with moisturising and hydrating agents, this product helps bind water to the top layers of your skin so you experience touchably soft skin for longer. Not just for your face, this cream works all over your body to alleviate dry, rough patches. A calming formula that’s perfect for both Mum and baby to use (yep, it’s that gentle), this cream is also safe for pregnant women to use. And despite its emollient texture, this moisturiser won’t block or pores or cause congestion. Apply once or twice a day to clean, dry skin.

What is dry skin?

Put simply, dry skin occurs when your skin doesn’t have all the moisture it needs to function optimally. This lack of moisture causes it to dry out and become irritating (in more ways than one). Though it’s annoying, frustrating, and a real pain in the backside, dry skin isn’t usually cause for medical concern.

As dryness worsens, you might notice teeny-tiny cracks in your skin, which can interfere with the skin’s ability to stay hydrated and healthy. At this point, to bring your complexion back to softness, you’ll probably need more than an extra layer of moisturiser. From the best skin products for dry sensitive skin to acne products for dry skin, a well-thought out routine tends to ALL your skincare needs.

If your dry skin starts to get out of hand (i.e., it feels sore and looks inflamed), you could be suffering from eczema, psoriasis, or another skin condition. Simply get in touch with a reputable derm to ease your woes.

How to take away dry skin

Luckily, to take away dry skin, you just need to find the best skin products for dry combination skin or dry skin.

The best dry skin care products include nourishing creams, comforting cleansers, gentle exfoliators, serums, and oils.

Of course, a dose of everyone's favourites—Hyaluronic Acid and Retinol—will further help you maintain your skin’s hydration. Scroll down to find some soothing skin care products for dry flaky skin.

With their constant shaving and tugging, men are often front and centre when it comes to having dry skin. What makes up a good skincare routine for men? A gentle cleanser and a nourishing and hydrating moisturiser for men will help combat any tight-skin issues and problems with dry skin under the beard.

What ingredients for dry skin?

We’ve already mentioned Hyaluronic Acid, but it's so helpful that it’s worth mentioning again in detail. An (almost) magical ingredient, Hyaluronic Acid can help you prevent dry winter skin and more.

A naturally occurring substance that holds up to 1,000 times its own weight in water, this humectant helps all skin types retain moisture.

To seal in moisture, pair your Hyaluronic Acid with a gentle Aloe or Green Tea cleanser; a softening Marshmallow toner; and a Shea Butter, Vitamin E, or Almond Oil moisturiser. It’s tempting to go in hard on flaky skin with a physical exfoliator. But a Glycolic Acid blend, a bit of Lactic Acid, or a little Retinol helps smooth out your dry skin with a much softer approach.

Find more of the best skincare for dry skin in these helpful guides...

• Best Face Masks for Dry Skin

• Best Moisturisers for Dry Skin

• How to Prep My Dry Skin Before I Put on Makeup

• How to Heal Acne Scars on Dry Skin

• Estée Lauder Skin Care for Dry Skin

• Best Body Lotions for Dry Skin

• Best Hydrating Serums for Dry Skin

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