Best face moisturizer for extremely dry sensitive skin

Moisturizers For Dry Skin

Dry skin is a common condition, although some people are more prone to it than others. When facial skin first begins to lose moisture, the dryness may be only noticed as: tightness and roughness. There can be a few different causes of skin dryness, some people are unfortunately afflicted by genetic factors that result in dry skin. Skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis etc. are also characterised by skin dryness, however several people don’t really have persistent dry skin, but rather their skin becomes dry due to environmental factors or bad skincare habits. In all cases, adopting good hydrating and moisturising habits is an essential step towards treating skin dryness. To find the best moisturiser for dry skin you should identify what is causing your skin dryness. If you suffer from eczema or other such skin conditions, you may need a medicated cream so be sure to talk to your dermatologist about what factors could be causing your skin to dry out. If your dermat informs you that a cosmetic moisturiser will solve your problem, then you can start by exploring the array of top moisturisers for dry skin on nykaa.com.

Dry skin can be a persistent and troublesome problem for a lot of people, especially when the symptoms manifest as itchiness, tightness and torn or flakey skin. But these aren’t the only signs of dryness, if your skin feels papery and rough, or if running a nail down your skin results in a white stripe then you almost certainly suffer from dry skin and should consider upgrading your skincare routine. Dry skin is not only visibly dull and unhealthy, it is also has an uncomfortable tight feeling, such factors make it essential to address and treat dry skin on the face and on the body through effective moisturisation. But is the best moisturizer for dry skin? With so many options available in the market, it is important for you to learn what are the best skin moisturizers for dry skin and why.

Essential Moisturisers For Dry Skin

Dry skin needs layers of moisture, more so than oily skin. Those with oily skin may be able to get away with using just one moisturising gel or cream, but other skin types should work on using different moisturisers to address dryness from deep within. K-beauty is a good place to take inspiration when seeking moisturisers for dry skin. Korean beauty regimens focus on delivering moisture to the skin using both liquid and cream or gel products, some products penetrate deep into the skin to hydrate skin cells while others help form a barrier on top preventing loss of moisture. Replenishing and protecting the skin’s moisture can be done by smartly layering moisturisers for dry skin. Keep reading to know how different products work and how each one can help you address skin dryness.

• Serum: The first thing you should know is that not all serums hydrate the skin. Serums can be intended to treat many skin woes from dark spots and dullness to clogged pores and acne. They are lightweight but usually slightly viscous and power packed with beneficial ingredients. A hydrating serum is always a must-have moisturizer for dry skin. Try It’s Skin Hyaluronic Acid Moisture serum or Botanica Hyaluronic Acid Facial Serum with Vitamin C and E. Serums should be used after cleansing and toning unless specified otherwise.
• Essence: An essence is usually a slightly lighter version of a traditional serum. If you find serums too heavy for everyday use, then you will likely prefer the lighter texture and feel of an essence. You don’t usually need to use both serum and essence unless you are directed to do so by your facialist or dermatologist. Parched, dry skin will love an essence like Laneige Water Bank Hydro Essence.
• Emulsion: Emulsions are much less potent than a serum, but still pretty hydrating. Think of them as a lightweight skin lotion. They usually have a very light watery consistency that easily sinks into the skin to deliver moisture. Use emulsions after your serum and choose a hydrating and soothing one if you have dry skin. K-Beauty brands offer a wide range of emulsions, you can start with Etude House Moistfull Collagen Emulsion or The Face Shop The Therapy Hydrating Formula Emulsion.
• Ampoule: Think of an ampoule as a supercharged version of your serum. You don’t need to use a hydrating ampoule every day, rather save them for the occasions when your skin needs an extra boost of moisture (like the morning after a night of partying or when you’re not feeling your best). Introduce a hydrating ampoule like Innisfree Ginger Honey Ampoule Skin for those days when your skin could use a dose of extra moisture.
• Moisturising cream: Unless you are using a face oil your regimen definitely needs a moisturizing cream for dry skin to help seal in the moisture delivered by your serum, essence etc. The best moisturising creams for dry skin will create a barrier on the skin that traps moisture and prevents dryness. You will need a good quality day cream and night cream, though you can also choose gels and thicker lotions if you prefer a lighter finish. There are many options to choose from: true creams like Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream, gel-creams like Clinique Moisture Surge 72-Hour Auto-Replenishing Hydrator or emollient lotions like Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion. For daytime, be sure to use a moisturiser with SPF or use a separate SPF product after moisturising.
• Sleeping mask: For nights when your regular night cream just won’t do the job, swap it with a sleeping mask. Sleeping masks or packs are richer and usually thicker formulations as compared to regular night creams. They are very effective at helping your skin maximise the effects of hydrating serums and lotions. Laneige Water Sleeping Mask and Shiseido Waso Beauty Sleeping Mask are great products to start with.
• Face Oil: For the longest time the myth persisted that oil was necessarily bad for this skin, but this isn’t true at all. Natural face oils can have an amazing impact on dry skin. It is important to search for non-comedogenic formulae like Physicians Formula Argan Wear Ultra-Nourishing Argan Oil or Bobbi Brown Extra Face Oil. Face oils should be the final step of any skincare routine and are best used at night.

Learn How To Care for Dry Skin

You’ve already learned that dry skin needs some tender loving care to help it look and feel its best. But did you know that there are simple lifestyle changes that you can make in addition to moisturization that can help transform your skin and improve it over time.

• Use a humidifier: If you live or work in an extremely dry environment then humidifiers can make a huge improvement. They introduce moisture to the air which helps keep your skin more hydrated.
• Drink water: This one feels like a no-brainer but many people don’t drink as much water as they should. You should drink 2-3 litres a day and snack on water rich foods like cucumber, watermelon etc. to supplement internal hydration.
• Use gentle, soap-free cleansers: Make the switch to mild sulphate-free products as these will not strip or dry out your skin. Avoid using hot water while cleansing the face and body, stick to cool or lukewarm water.
• Don’t scratch your skin: Dry skin can be extremely itchy and you may be tempted to scratch it, but resist the urge! Instead apply a cold compress to the itchy area for temporary relief and visit a doctor.
• Get omega fatty acids: Eat salmon and mackerel to get skin-saving Omega 3 fatty acids. You can also take supplements or opt for vegetarian sources like flaxseeds and walnuts. Omega 3 oils can help strengthen the skin’s natural barrier helping it retain moisture.

Important Tips For Moisturising Dry Skin

Now that you know the kind of lifestyle changes that will help, it is important to learn the best ways to moisturise dry skin. Incorporating a few tips and tricks can help your maximise the benefit to your skin and improve its appearance.

• Layer your moisturisers: Of course you can use just a moisturising cream or lotion after cleansing and call it a day. But in skincare, you’ll always get the results proportionate to the effort you put in, so one step may not always be enough to combat dry skin. After cleansing and toning, layer a serum, essence and cream to give your skin the best moisturisation possible.
• Moisturizers are most effective when skin is still damp: Right after you’ve washed your face, your face is wet and highly receptive to moisture. You have a small window (only a few minutes long!) to help lock-in that moisture. After washing, pat your skin dry (don’t rub it with a towel, use a light dabbing motion) and follow up immediately with your preferred moisturising products.
• Use hydrating products in conjunction with heavier moisturisers: So you’ve already learned the difference between emulsions, serums, essences and moisturising creams, but it is important to use them correctly to get their full benefit. You certainly don’t need to follow every step and use every product, but you should find a balance between hydrating liquid products and emollient creams or balms. Hydrators add water to the top layer of your skin, but emollients are essential because they lock that moisture in and prevent loss of water from the skin.
• Choose beneficial active ingredients: When shopping for moisturisers for dry skin, seek out ingredients like ceramides, hyaluronic acid, lanolin, natural oils and butters. These ingredients make the best moisturizers for dry skin and help alleviate dryness over time.

Moisturisers For Dry Skin On The Body

You’ve probably heard many times that you should pay as much attention to the skin on your body as you do to your face. This is not 100% true as facial skin is a lot less resilient than the skin on your body, but it doesn’t mean that your body does not need care at all. If you don’t usually use body lotions, butters or oils but spend a lot of time in air conditioned rooms then you may have dry skin. Your arms and legs also need soothing moisture, especially if you regularly wax or shave. Read on to know the types of body moisturizers available in India and to find the best body moisturizer for dry skin.

• Body oils: If you have very dry, peeling or flaking skin on your body, then using natural body oils is your best bet. Massage a carrier oil like olive, coconut or almond oil into your skin before you leave the shower while your skin is still damp. You can also opt for specialised oils like Bio Oil which helps fade scars or Nivea Q10 Firming Oil which firms the skin.
• Body butters and creams: Body butters have a thick, sometimes slick texture and usually contain no water. These are suitable for people with extremely dry, scaly skin as they provide deep moisturisation and nourishment to dry, parched skin. As these seldom contain water, it is essential to apply body butters to damp skin to maximize their impact. A safe bet to start with is Nykaa Wanderlust Body Butter or The Body Shop Banana Body Butter. Body creams are like a cross between lotions and butters, they will contain some water but they are thicker and closer in texture and consistency to butters. Some brands may use the terms body cream and body butter interchangeably, but you can always refer to the list of ingredients and check for water to get an idea of what the product will be like.
• Body lotions: Body lotions are considerably lighter, thinner and more spreadable as compared to creams and butters. They contain a higher percentage of water and consequently will sink easily into the skin. However, they are not as deeply moisturising as creams or butters and may need to be reapplied often if you have very dry skin. Body lotions are perfect for summer or for humid environments when your skin does not need too much additional moisture. If lotions are the right pick for you then you’ll love Ives Daily Hydrating Vitamin E & Avocado Body Lotion.

Best Moisturizers For Dry Skin

Now that you know all about the different types of moisturiser for dry skin in India, explore the wide range of moisturizing creams for dry skin online right here on Nykaa.com! Keep reading to discover the top moisturizers for dry skin.

• The Body Shop Vitamin E Moisture Cream: Packed with vitamin E as well as shea butter and aloe vera, this iconic cream is well known to fight dryness and give you silky soft, hydrated skin. It keeps your skin moisturised for 48 hours! It is also available in an intense formula for extremely dry skin.
• Neutrogena Hydro Boost Emulsion: Purified hyaluronic acid, beeswax, antioxidant olive extracts and glycerin all come together to give your skin some much-needed hydration through Neutrogena’s cult favourite Hydro Boost Emulsion. As a bonus, this product is also free from fragrance, dye and oil. For a lighter finish, try out their Hydro Boost water gel.
• Clinique Moisture Surge Intense Skin Fortifying Hydrator: This oil free, non-acnegenic. And dermatologist tested formula is a must-have for anyone with dry, but acne prone skin. It replenishes moisture in the skin without adding oil or clogging the pores. It keeps the skin hydrated for 72 hours.
• Embryolisse Lait-Creme Concentre: This product is the stuff of legend in the skincare world. Not only is it a favourite pre-makeup treatment among makeup artists, it also helps heal sunburn peeling skin. Although the best endorsement for this product may be that make-up artist Sir John uses this French cream on Beyonce herself!
• Cetaphil DailyAdvance Ultra Hydrating Lotion: Suitable for use on the face and the body Cetaphil’s daily hydrating lotion is a skincare classic that won’t disappoint. It contains natural moisturisers like macadamia nut oil and shea butter as well as vitamins E and B5 to condition the skin. This moisturiser not only attracts moisture to the skin, it also improves your natural skin barrier.

Shop for the widest collection of moisturizers for dry skin in India here.

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