Skincare Routine for Dry Skin on the Face

If your skin feels tight, flaky or dull, finding the right routine for dry skin can make all the difference. For happy, hydrated skin and a glowing complexion, discover our morning and night face routine for dry skin, including product recommendations.

Dry skin is an uncomfortable skin condition. Symptoms include dullness, flakiness, itching, scaling or sometimes if severe or left untreated, cracking can occur, and can affect any part of the body.

This can be caused by environmental factors such as seasonal changes (symptoms tend to worsen in winter and summer), harsh weather conditions (hot, cold or dry air), ultraviolet sunlight and chlorine.

Skincare factors can also affect skin hydration, and following an incorrect routine can worsen dry skin symptoms. Using strong soaps, washing your skin too often or taking long, hot baths can all strip away natural skin lipids from the skin's barrier.

Learn more about external and internal causes of dry skin here.

While the causes may differ from case-to-case, anyone suffering from dry skin should practice a routine to treat their symptoms. As a first step to treating dry skin, reassess your current routine and avoid using skin-sensitizing products.

A dry skin routine should take place twice a day - every morning and evening.

In addition to the products you use, maintaining a consistent routine for dry skin is key. Our easy-to-follow, morning and night skincare routine for dry skin on the face provides gentle yet effective care, while helping to protect the skin's moisture barrier.

A dry skincare routine should start in the shower with gentle, fragrance- and soap-free cleansers, being careful to use warm (but not hot) water and limit bathing time to not strip skin of its moisture.

After showering, continue your skincare routine for dry skin immediately while skin is still damp to help lock in moisture.

This is the first step in the face routine for dry skin before applying any serums or creams, helping to remove dirt, make-up and pollutants from your skin. It's important to use a cleanser that won't disrupt the outer skin layer. 

To prepare the face for the rest of the skincare routine, start with the Eucerin Hydrating Cleansing Gel which is gentle on the skin and free of oil, alcohol, soap and parabens. This means it’s suitable for all skin types, even sensitive skin. 

Cleanse the skin at night-time to gently remove make-up, oil, dirt, or anything else that has accumulated during the day.

Using a toner complements the cleanser, helping to remove excess oil or dirt that may have been missed.

The next step in the skincare routine for dry skin should be serum. Massage the Immersive Hydration Moisture Boost Serum into the face and neck to leave dry skin feeling fresh and hydrated. This also helps to visibly reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Moisturize your skin with a nourishing, non-greasy product. Don't forget to focus on the area near your eyes** during the face routine for dry skin, as this is usually the first area to show signs of aging.
 
Your morning skincare routine for dry skin should include a moisturizer with broad spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15. The Immersive Hydration Daily Lotion SPF30 provides broad spectrum sunscreen protection and helps protect your skin from sun damage* and provides intense, all-day* hydration.

*for sun protection, use as directed
**do not get in eyes / avoid contact with eyes

Apply Eucerin Immersive Hydration Night Cream to hydrate the skin before bed and restore moisture through the night. This moisturizer is non-comedogenic, so it won't clog your pores while you sleep.

While many daily moisturizers include SPF, also use a sunscreen that hydrates / intensively moisturizes as the final step of your morning skincare routine for dry skin. We recommend using a broad-spectrum SPF 15 sunscreen or higher and use as directed to help protect skin from harmful UV rays. Learn more in Should you wear sunscreen every day.

Suitable for the face and body, the Eucerin Advanced Hydration SPF 30 Sunscreen is formulated with Hyaluronic acid and Humectants for an immediate and long-lasting hydrating effect*. 
 
*for sun protection, use as directed

Learn more about how to care for dry facial skin.

If you suffer from dry skin, you should only exfoliate once or twice per week. If you notice signs of dry skin on your face, exfoliating may be a first solution, but don’t over-exfoliate.
 
When trying a new exfoliating product, test it on a small area of your face before applying it all over. Ensure you moisturize after exfoliating.

When finding products for your skincare routine for dry skin, it’s important to consider products formulated with these moisturizing ingredients:

• Urea is one of several Natural Moisturizing Factors. Products with these NMFs can bind water and relieve dry skin symptoms. Eucerin was one of the first brands to offer Urea-based solutions for dry skin. It is a key ingredient in our Intensive Repair and Roughness Relief ranges.
• Hyaluronic acid-enriched formulas help to maintain your skin’s moisture levels and can also help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
• Ceramide-enriched formulas can help to strengthen the skin’s moisture barrier to lock in moisture. They can be found in our Advanced Repair and Eczema Relief ranges.
• Glycerin-enriched formulas help prevent dryness by attracting moisture to the upper layer of the skin.

Skin functions best when properly moisturized, and at Eucerin we provide a wide selection of innovative products to treat dry skin. Finding the right products and using them consistently is key when you have dry skin.

Choosing which Eucerin range depends on the different signs and severity of dry skin:

• Daily Hydration: For dry skin.
• Advanced Repair: For very dry skin.
• Intensive Repair: For very dry, dull, ashy and flaky skin. 

Most cases of dry skin can be managed with proper skin care and a suitable dry skin routine. However, there is a possibility your dry skin is caused by conditions such as psoriasis or eczema, so speak to a dermatologist for more information.

The information provided herein is not intended to be medical advice. Nor is it intended to treat the underlying skin disease or condition. The information is provided solely to:

1. Moisturize, soften and smooth dry skin

2. Improve the appearance of the skin

3. Achieve healthier-looking skin