5 Tried & Tested Dry Skin Hacks That Actually Work

Coming from someone who has dry skin and gets eczema every winter, here are some tried and tested dry skin hacks that actually get the job done.

While I enjoy how radiant and glowy (it’s all the excess oil) my skin feels in summer, come winter and I feel like the Walking Dead with pale, lifeless-looking skin. No matter how much thick moisturiser I’d slather on my skin (numerous times throughout the day), it just wasn’t enough, my skin would go right back to feeling like sandpaper.

As someone who had a full-on eczema break-out, I learnt quite a few tips and tricks from my dermatologist and am constantly looking for ways to improve my skincare routine every winter. Below are tips I’ve researched and some lesser-known hacks to tackle dry skin during winter time in Hong Kong – don’t forget those hand creams!

Editor’s Note: We are not experts in the field, these are simply tried and tested techniques that work for us. Please consult a dermatologist if you have serious skin concerns. 

Read More: The 15 Best Hand Creams For Dry, Cracked Skin

Lock In Moisture On Damp Skin

Not to sound dramatic but this tip from my dermatologist was quite life-changing! After you hop out of the shower, gently pat your skin dry, do NOT vigorously rub with your towel, that way some moisture still remains on your skin. Now, the trick is to find the short window when your skin is damp, not fully dry or even wet, but damp.

Damp skin makes the skin barrier more permeable, meaning products get absorbed better.

Sandwiching your products is an effective way to line-up your skincare routine. I’m a long-time fan of Caudalie’s moisturisers as grape water is intensely hydrating, but the light texture is often not enough to last me the whole day, so then I go in with Cetaphil’s cream and SPF from Cosrx which is oh-so soothing and gives me a nice and healthy glow. You can also use a toner first to deeper penerate the ingredients into your skin.

As for your body, you can stick to Cetaphil’s cream or I would also recommend The Ritual of Sakura Body Cream that’s dense and infused with soothing rice milk, or Petal Fresh’s Honey & Coconut Body Butter that’s rich with shea butter and a mix of oils like argan, coconut, jojoba and almond.

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Try To Wash Your Face Only Once A Day And Ditch The Hot Water

Of course wash your face in the morning with lukewarm or cold water, but save your proper cleanse for the evening.

A hot shower that can melt my problems away is my guilty pleasure but hot water is definitely a no-no for those with already dry skin – it will only further strip natural oils. Opt for a face wash that’s creamy, gentle and moisturising – The Face Shop’s Rice Water Bright Foaming Cleanser is amazing, it leaves my skin plump and hydrated.

As for body wash, keep in mind to look for ingredients like niacinamide, glycerin, shea butter, hyaluronic acid and so on. For something more high-end, we’d go for Dermalogica Conditioning Body Wash and for the cheap and best option, Mild By Nature’s Hydrating Body Wash will last you the whole winter season.

Nourish Your Skin Barrier & Use Plant-Based Oils

Your skin is your largest organ and the skin barrier protects us from pathogens and locks in the body’s water, without it we would be severely dehydrated, so in short, take good care of your skin.

Try to cut back on anything harsh on your skin like retinol which has drying properties, and keep your skincare simple, I recently started using The Ordinary’s Soothing & Barrier Support Serum which packs as an all-in-one.

Your skin will also greatly thank you for incorporating plant-based oils like coconut oil, jojoba oil, almond oil or argan oil – you can either directly apply them on your skin after a shower or mix it with your foundation or moisturiser to have more control of how much hydration you want. A lot of these oils are anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial too, for an added bonus! 

Use Hydrating Make-Up

Make-up that doubles as skincare is like hitting the jackpot! Buy less, but buy better with just the right make-up. Below we’re highlighting products that give a glowy, dewy finish even in the dry season.

Read More: Local Clean, Vegan & Sustainable Beauty Brands We Love

Pay Attention To Fabrics

Sure, a chunky sweater looks cute but be picky with your fabric. You don’t want something that further irritates your skin, causing more dryness. I always like to wear a soft cotton tee (full sleeved) underneath all my sweaters to try and minimise itchiness. All-in-all go for cotton as that’s always the safest option, be it your jumpers, cardigans or jeans. A blend of merino wool and silk for sweaters also gets a thumbs up.

It’s also worth investing in nice silk pajamas and pillowcases which can help your skin retain its moisture – this satin pillow cover from kitsch is a tried and tested favourite

Read More: 15 Local Sustainable Fashion Brands We Love