With the rainy season coming at us in full swing and the 'ber months just a mere few weeks ahead, the change of weather could also take a toll on our skin!
Dry skin is usually caused by a damaged skin barrier. That exact barrier is basically your skin’s first defense against environmental stressors, so once it’s been compromised, the effects may include dry patches, irritation, and breakouts. When your skin is not producing enough oil, that could also make you age quicker and will eventually result in more pronounced appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Speaking from personal experience—I've had dry, dehydrated, and Sahara-like skin almost half my life—I’ve learned to find products with ingredients that target the aforementioned dry patches, roughness, and dullness. As I'm constantly battling dry skin, I’ve come up with a tried and tested skincare routine rife with products and ingredients that help me combat those dry skin woes. If you're a skincare beginner with the same beauty concerns, try this on for size!
My 9-Step Skincare Routine for Dry Skin
Step 1. Cleanser
Opt for cleansers that are fragrance-free and contain natural ingredients. One of the effects of having dry skin is that you end up getting overly sensitive to most ingredients and even fragrances. A great cleanser to start off with is the Fresh Soy Cleanser! It contains soy, which reduces redness, and aloe vera and cucumber to soothe the skin, plus glycerin for further hydration.
FRESH Soy Cleanser, P886 for 50ml, sephora.ph
Step 2. Toner
Opt for a toner that provides deep hydration, such as the proudly vegan Dear Klairs Supple Preparation Toner that contains aloe vera and centella asiatica that strengthen the skin barrier and provide a booster shot of antioxidants. A good toner preps the face, removes residue, and helps regain the pH balance of the skin, so it's a totally necessary skincare step! Another toner I personally love is the Fresh Deep Hydration Facial Toner that’s infused with real rose petals—it gently cleanses and tones the skin, and it smells amazing too!
DEAR KLAIRS Supple Preparation Toner, P880, kbeautycafe.com.ph
FRESH Rose Deep Hydration Facial Toner, P1387 for 100ml, sephora.ph
Step 3. Exfoliate
To get rid of those dry patches and to purify those pores, try to gently exfoliate once or twice a week! I suggest going for acids. I particularly love the Neogen Bio-peel Pads because these tea-soaked double sided pads are gentle enough for me as they contain soothing green tea extracts. The AHA or Alpha Hydroxy Acids in this Krave Beauty favorite also help lightly exfoliate the top layer and get rid of dead skin! The result: a revelation of clear, smooth, and young-looking skin.
NEOGEN Bio-peel Gauze Peeling Green Tea Pads, P1250, Watsons
KRAVE BEAUTY Kale-Lalu-y AHA Exfoliating Toner, Krave Beauty
Step 4. Essence
So what’s an essence? It's basically a hybrid of toners and serums. Essences help with skin cell turnover, and a quicker skin cell turnover means having new and nourished skin! One of the essences worth trying is the Missha Time Revolution Essence, which many claim to be a great alternative to the famous and best-selling SK-II Treatment Essence. It costs a fraction of the latter but works just as well.
MISSHA Time Revolution The First Treatment Essence, P1695, kbeautycafe.com.ph
SK-II Facial Treatment Essence, P4560, sephora.ph
Step 5. Serums or Facial Oil
If you have dry skin, that also means your skin doesn't produce enough oil as compared to normal. So to help bring back that hydration, choose a serum that provides ample moisture and targets dryness. The notable serums to try should contain niacinamide, marula oil, and hyaluronic acid.
Niacinamide aids in having a balanced sebum production, minimizes pores, and prevents wrinkles and fine lines. Marula oil is high in antioxidants that keep skin nourished and soft. Lastly, hyaluronic acid helps retain water and hydration on the skin, making it plump and hydrated!
THE ORDINARY Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%, P740, BeautyMNL
DRUNK ELEPHANT Virgin Marula Luxury Facial Oil, P2360, sephora.ph
THE INKEY LIST Hyaluronic Acid, P700, Beauty Bar, Eastwood Mall
Step 6. Masks
Sleeping masks or sheet masks are a luxuriant twice-a-week extra step for your skin. 10 to 20 minutes of soaking up all that goodness makes a ton of difference! With a wide array of options to choose from, it’s impossible not to be tempted to pop on a mask or two on the daily, and if you’re the lazy type, do know that a sleeping mask usually doubles as a night moisturizer so you can wake up glowing and ultra hydrated. A notable ingredient to look for is honey, which not only hydrates your skin but also has antibacterial properties. It's also extremely soothing and moisturizing, creating that much coveted glow.
I’M FROM Honey Mask, P1380, kbeautycafe.com.ph
Step 7. Moisturizer
Dr. Vicki Belo's now-infamous skin advice created quite a stir online when she declared that it's okay to skip moisturizer. Personally, I myself tried to skip it once, but with a dry skin type like mine, I need all the moisture that I can get. Try Dr. Jart's nutritious Ceramidin Cream to prevent wrinkles from developing, as well as to help soothe dry patches and skin irritation.
DR. JART Ceramidin Cream, P3250, sephora.ph
Step 8. Eye Cream
Of course, don’t forget your eye area! Your eye are has the thinnest and most fragile skin on the entire face, and it's the first to show signs of aging. Use an eye cream that contains avocado, which is rich in fatty acids and vitamin E to help nourish and moisturize your undereye area.
KIEHL'S Creamy Eye Treatment With Avocado, P1825, Shangri-la Plaza East Wing
Step 9. Sunscreen
It's a skincare step most people tend to skip, but it's one of the most essential! I remember seeing this viral photo of a man—with half of his face exposed to the sun for years—whose skin ended up all wrinkly and damaged. That’s exactly what sun damage does in the long run. What's even scarier is how the light that comes from our tiny phone screens may cause damage, too! That said, make sure to always apply sunscreen and get enough protection daily. You can even try a tinted one that gives extra coverage.
BIORE UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence SPF 50+/PA+++, P488, Watsons
BELO Sun Expert Perfected Shield Tinted Sunscreen, P449, SM Beauty
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