Dry Skin 101: Everything I’ve Learned About Caring for Dry Skin

I buy most products myself. This page contains affiliate links. Full disclosure

New to dry skin? Or you’ve tried a lot and your face still feels tight? Start here.

I’m Hazel. I moved from Seoul to the U.S. when I was 16. That’s when my skin turned dry, red and tight. It’s been dry ever since.

These days it’s the AC at work and the heater at home. My face still feels tight after I wash it. In the afternoon, when the AC dries me out, I grab my mist.

This page puts everything I’ve learned in one place. I’ll keep adding to it.

If You Only Read One Thing

Don’t put a lot on your face. And don’t spend a lot of money buying everything people say is good.

Find a toner, a serum and a cream that really suit your skin. Use them every day. Get those right first. Everything else comes after.

I am going to be honest here. I learned this the hard way. I once bought a really popular cleansing oil because of the great reviews. It broke me out. My skin was happier with the basics.

What Dry Skin Actually Is

Dry skin and dehydrated skin are not the same thing. Dry skin is low on oil. Dehydrated skin is low on water. You can have both.

If your face feels tight after washing but gets oily by morning, it might be dehydration.

Hydrating and moisturizing are different too. For a while, I kept buying thicker creams. It didn’t fix my dry skin.

Why My Skin Got So Dry

For me, it started with the move to the U.S. I wrote about what caused it and the aloe gel that helped first.

Then there’s the air inside. I sit in AC at work all day, and the heater is on at home. Both dry my skin out.

Even my shower water made a difference. After I put on a shower filter, the water felt fresher and my skin felt softer.

Read more: My HYYGIA Shower Filter Review

My Dry Skin Routine, Step by Step

Here’s what I use, in order. Each step links to the post where I go into detail.

1. Cleanser

I take off my eye and lip makeup with a remover first. Then I use a cleansing oil. After that, I wash with the Round Lab 1025 Dokdo Cleanser. I want my face clean, but not tight.

2. Toner and serum

This is my base. My toner and serums are in my routine post. I also wrote a whole post about which serums I use in the morning and which ones I save for night.

3. Moisturizer

In the morning, I use Aestura Atobarrier 365. At night, I use Belif Aqua Bomb Sleeping Mask or Ole Henriksen Strength Trainer.

4. Sunscreen

Mine is the Round Lab Birch Juice sunscreen. Fun fact: the one I bought on U.S. Amazon was not the same as the one from Korea.

5. Mist during the day

At work, I use the La Roche-Posay Thermal Spring Water Face Mist. When the AC dries me out, I spray it.

One tip: I always pat it in. If I leave it to dry on its own, my skin can end up feeling drier.

When Things Go Wrong

Sometimes my skin suddenly turns red and bumpy. For me, that means my skin barrier is damaged. I stop trying anything new and keep it simple. It usually calms down in 3 to 4 days.

And yes, dry skin can still break out. I’m a chronic picker, so I had to learn how to treat pimples without leaving scars.

Dry Skin Isn’t Just Your Face

My lips and hands get dry too, especially at work.

The Products I Keep Rebuying

These are the ones I go back to again and again.

Why I Skip Fragrance

I choose fragrance-free products for my face. It’s my preference, not a rule. If a scented product works for you, that’s great.

Read more: Why I Skip Fragrance on My Face

Dry Skin FAQ

What’s the difference between dry and dehydrated skin?

Dry skin is low on oil. Dehydrated skin is low on water. You can have both. I explain how I tell them apart in this post.

What should I buy first for dry skin?

A toner, a serum and a cream that suit your skin. I’d start with those before buying anything else.

Does a face mist help dry skin?

It helps me at work. But I pat it in right after I spray. If I let it dry on its own, my skin can feel drier.

Why is my skin red and bumpy all of a sudden?

When it happens to me, it’s usually a damaged skin barrier. Here’s what it looks like on me and what I do.

Final Thoughts

Dry skin can be confusing. Learning a few basics really helped me.

I’m still learning too. When I find something new that works, I’ll add it here.

Do you have dry skin too? Tell me what you’re struggling with. I’m always curious.

Thank you for reading.

Sincerely,

Hazel 🙂

Disclosure: I buy most products myself. Some were gifts from friends or family, and I’ll always tell you when. No brand has ever paid me or sent me anything to review. Some links on this page are affiliate links, so if you buy through them I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It never changes what I recommend. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.