Dry Skin

What is dry skin?

Dry skin produces too little sebum and too few of its own barrier lipids. This makes its protective layer more permeable: moisture evaporates faster and irritants get in more easily. Typical signs are a tight feeling after washing, fine flakes, rough patches, itching and a dull complexion. Make-up settles into dry areas.

Dry or dehydrated skin?

• Dry skin is a skin type: it mainly lacks oil. It tends to stay dry all year round and rarely looks shiny.
• Dehydrated skin is a condition: it lacks water. It can be shiny and tight at the same time – even oily skin can be dehydrated.

Many people have both. That’s why a good routine combines humectants with replenishing ingredients.

What makes skin dry?

• Winter and central heating: Cold outside and dry air inside are tough on the skin in Switzerland from October to March.
• Water that’s too hot and harsh cleansers strip oils from the skin.
• Age: Over the years, the skin produces less sebum and fewer lipids.
• Too many exfoliants or actives such as retinol without enough moisturising care.
• Skin conditions such as eczema belong in medical hands.

What helps with dry skin?

1. Cleanse gently: Lukewarm water and a mild, creamy cleanser or micellar water. In the evening, cleansing once is enough; in the morning, water alone is often fine.
2. Bind moisture: Apply hyaluronic acid, glycerin and panthenol to slightly damp skin.
3. Rebuild the barrier: Ceramides, cholesterol and fatty acids replace missing lipids. Urea binds moisture and smooths rough patches.
4. Seal it in: A rich moisturiser or a few drops of squalane stop the water from evaporating again. On very cold nights, a thin layer of balm as the last step helps.
5. Protect: Use sunscreen in winter too.

Exfoliants aren’t off-limits, but use them sparingly: a gentle PHA or lactic acid exfoliant once a week removes flakes without overwhelming the barrier.

Korean skincare for dry skin

From our range: the 345 Relief Cream by Dr. Althea, the Madeca Cream Time Reverse by Centellian24, the Ceramidin Skin Barrier Moisturizing Cream by Dr. Jart+, the Penta Berry Panthenol Repair Cream by HEVEBLUE, the MLE Cream by ATOPALM and the Collagen Night Wrapping Mask by medicube for the night. You’ll find more in our dryness collection.

What does the research say?

A review shows that regularly applied moisturisers clearly improve dry skin and – depending on their formulation – can also strengthen barrier function. Formulas with humectants such as urea or glycerin are particularly effective (Lodén, American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2003).