How To Tackle Dry Skin For Good 

Want a fresher, brighter, more hydrated complexion? Follow these 7 top tricks for better skin 

We’ve all been there – the colder, autumn weather arrives and so do rough, dull patches, obvious flakes and red, angry rashes.

But, try as you might, your summer-perfect skincare routine just doesn’t cut it anymore in the battle against dry skin, no matter how much you slather on. It’s well-worth nothing that as weather conditions change, so too should your skincare but that doesn’t mean you have to invest in an entire new skincare regime.

Instead mix and match products from your existing arsenal with our top K-beauty product picks to maximise your budget and get the best results. Here, the easy hacks to adapt your skincare regime to the new season.

7 Tips To Help You Tackle Dry Skin

#1 Consider a cream or oil cleanser

Oil and cream cleansers are less drying than foaming or gel formulas.

Cream cleansers work best to comfort dry skin while oil cleansers benefit any skin type including oily-prone complexions that are prone to dehydration.

Like attracts like – an oil cleanser combines with the natural oil in your skin, helping to draw out impurities more efficiently while working in harmony with your own natural sebum so don’t be afraid to use this type of cleanser if you’re prone to breakouts but still suffering from dry skin.

Plus, if you tend to wear a heavier foundation in winter these cleansers are for you – they act like a giant magnet for oil-based make-up, dirt and grime, doubling up as super gentle, yet efficient make-up remover.

#2 Go easy on exfoliation

Dead skin cells build up more quickly in autumn and winter as skin cell production slows down.

At the same time, your skin is often sensitised by the elements so it’s important to be careful with aggressive exfoliation.

To get the right level of gentle, yet effective exfoliation use a non-abrasive exfoliator (these are your AHAs, BHAs and fruit acids) rather than a physical scrub, which can tear or damage sensitive skin.

#3 Step up your hydration

During autumn and especially winter, it’s essential your skincare regime incorporates increased levels of hydration.

All skin types are prone to severe dehydration during the height of winter when we spend long hours in overly warm central-heating at home or at work.

By giving winter-weary skin an extra hit of hydration, it will help protect and support the lipid barrier, minimising moisture loss. It doesn’t take a lot of commitment – simply swap your lightweight creams for richer ones and look for products with hyaluronic acid.

#4 Oily complexions need moisture too

The trick here is to avoid heavy creams and stick to a super-hydrating essence or ampoule layered into skin instead. 

#5 Try rose and omega oils to reduce redness

When skin is dry it can often look red and inflamed. What’s more, during colder months, extreme temperature changes – going from central heating to cold weather – cause capillaries to dilate and constrict, leading to even more broken blood vessels and redness.

The trick to preventing a red complexion is to hydrate and restore your skin’s essential natural barrier so look for ingredients that both soothe and moisturise such as rose oil. It works wonders to calm overly sensitised skin

#6 Swap eye gels for creams

Cold weather makes your blood circulation slow down which leads to a pooling of the blood in the under eye area and shows up as dark circles.

What’s more, dehydration, which is a common autumn and winter skin concern, can appear around the eye area too and also enhances the look of dark circles.

To combat both concerns opt for cream or serum formulas that are packed with nourishing ceramides and antioxidants.

#7 Load up on Vitamin C

Fine lines and wrinkles can become more visible when your skin is dry or dehydrated. Here’s where you’ll want to add Vitamin C into your routine as it works to boost collagen levels – the building blocks of firm, luminous skin. Even better, it’s also a potent antioxidant.