If your skin generally feels tight and uncomfortable, and you often have dry patches, your skin is likely dry. You want to avoid ingredients that are too harsh and instead focus on moisturizing products that will help hydrate and soothe your skin.
Step 1: Cleanse
"Using a gentle cleanser that doesn't strip the skin is essential for all skin types, and is that much more important for dry skin types," Darden says. The HoliFrog Tashmoo Water Lily Nourishing Milky Face Wash ($35) has a milky texture that gently cleans skin without drying it out.
Step 2: Treat
When it comes to serums for dry skin, focus on hydration with a pure hyaluronic acid serum. The more moisture you put back into your complexion, the better. A budget-friendly option is The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 Hydrating Serum ($10).
Step 3: Moisturize
On top of your serums, layer on an equally hydrating moisturizer. Dry skin types can tolerate thicker formulas, like the Sunday Riley ICE Ceramide Moisturizer with Vitamin F ($65), which helps strengthen the natural moisture barrier of your skin against environmental stressors.
