If you have dry skin, you know what it’s like to wake up and feel like you’ve been walking through a desert. You might not have to deal with oiliness or skin that glistens with grease from a mile away, but you have other issues to tackle. Dry skin tends to feel tight and itchy, with some flakiness, redness, or uneven texture. It is also prone to skin diseases like eczema.
Dry skin often means that you’re either not using the right products or making the right lifestyle choices. Or, it could simply be due to certain lifestyle choices, genetics, or Singapore’s dry climate. The common denominator, however, is that your skin is parched and needs hydration.
Fortunately, a few easy tweaks to your skincare routine will bring moisture back to your skin. It starts with the right products which you can shop for at Vaniday. The beauty platform lets you buy online skin care products from some of the best brands in the industry. Here’s how you can build the perfect skincare routine for hydrated skin:
Step 1: Start by hydrating your skin before exfoliating
Hydration is essential for radiant, youthful skin. This is why you should be moisturizing during each phase of your skincare routine and choose a cleanser and toner that also hydrate the skin.
Use a mild, moisturizing cleanser first thing in the morning and last thing at night to wash away the day’s dirt and grime. Vitamin E, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid are great examples of chemicals that serve dual purposes (cleansing and moisturizing) without stripping your skin of its natural oils. These are the kinds of ingredients you’re looking for.
A great way to further boost hydration levels in your skin is by using a humidifier. Always apply water to your skin before using a physical exfoliant, as this will help the product absorb into your skin more effectively.
Exfoliation is more effective when skin is wet because it encourages skin moisturization and helps the chemicals do their jobs better. However, if you’ve just used an acid or retinoid as a chemical exfoliator, wait a few minutes for your skin to dry before applying your moisturizing toner.
Step 2: Follow up with pH-balancing essences as a toner
Instead of using a toner, people with oily skin should try an acidic pH-correcting essence formulated for oily and acne-prone skin. These products, which are water-based and hence very light, are excellent as both a toner and a way to kick off your skincare routine.
They do wonders for the skin by restoring its natural moisture and adjusting its pH level. However, if your skin leans more toward the dehydrated and dry end, stick to the regular toner instead of the pH-adjusting essence.
Applying a moisturizing toner and an acidic pH-correcting essence together is a great way to restore a healthy pH balance to your skin. It’s important to choose a toner carefully since some include harsh alcohols that can be excessively drying for the skin. Instead, try to find products that include glycerin and hyaluronic acid. These two substances are humectants, meaning they attract and hold water from their surroundings to keep your skin supple and healthy.
Step 3: Next, use a gentle moisturizing cleanser
If you have incorporated an oil cleanser into your regular skincare routine, you’re already on the right track. However, it could compromise the performance of the rest of the products in your skincare routine if it leaves behind any residue.
If you’re not sure what kind of cleanser will work for your skin type, start off easy with one that doesn’t strip your skin of its natural oils. Turn and learn the ingredients to make sure there are no oils or essential oils that can affect how the other products perform.
Oily or acne-prone skin types should stay away from using rich, creamy cleansers. Choose a mild cleanser that does not dry out your skin so that it can work in harmony with the rest of your skincare regimen.
Step 4: Use an indulgent skincare oil
While facial oils are a wonderful complement to any beauty routine, they can interfere with the results you get from later steps if you use them first. If you have an oily or acne-prone face, apply a gentle hydrating essence or toner first and then follow up with the facial oil.
On the other hand, if your skin is more combination or dry, start your routine with a moisturizing essence or toner before moving on to the facial oil. If your skin already has a somewhat healthy pH balance, you might find that applying essence or toner before the face oil helps it retain its natural moisture and balance.
Step 5: Lock in that hydration with nourishing skincare serums
This is especially important if your skin is dry. Serums are packed to the brim with potent active ingredients that will get to work immediately on your dry skin. Serums typically have a runnier consistency, so they easily penetrate the skin and nourish it from within. Hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, and vitamin E are all fantastic hydration boosters, so look for a serum that contains one of these ingredients.
It’s also important to remember that the skin surrounding your eyes is especially sensitive and needs special care. The dry air will accentuate any fine lines, wrinkles, bags under your eyes, or crow’s feet you already have. The delicate skin around your eyes can easily lose moisture, so using a replenishing eye serum is essential for delaying the onset of wrinkles, fine lines, and other signs of early aging.
Step 6: Use a thick skincare moisturizer to seal in hydration
Last but not least, finish up with a thick moisturizer to seal in all your hard work. In the same way that we need to drink water to maintain our health, our skin also needs a good dose of moisture to be an efficient barrier for our body. A good moisturizer will restore moisture and suppleness to your skin, whether it’s mildly dry or severely parched.
Besides making your skin feel smooth and supple, this will also serve as a sturdy barrier against the elements. To keep your skin hydrated throughout the day and night, use a thicker, richer cream containing components like hyaluronic acid and ceramides before bed.
Wait! There’s more to maintaining hydrated skin
The 6 steps above only touch the surface of your skincare routine. If you want to get supple, juicy skin that glows from within, you need to indulge your skin with more TLC. Here are some good habits to add to your routine:
Face mask once a week
Applying a face mask once a week is a great way to pamper your skin, but it’s better to apply it after a first-step product that balances your skin’s pH level.
If you use a mask to unclog your pores and remove impurities, you should use a pH-correcting product afterwards to restore your skin’s natural alkalinity. This also prevents any acidity from offsetting the benefits of the skincare steps to follow.
You can apply a moisturizing mask even if you have oily or acne-prone skin, as long as you make sure that you use a product that balances the face’s pH level immediately after. Clay-based masks are excellent for oily skin because they unclog pores and draw out impurities without upsetting the face’s natural pH balance.
Use skincare products that help you glow
Try including an oil-based moisturizer into your routine if you deal with dry, dehydrated skin. Use a water-based moisturizer if you have oily skin, are prone to acne, or if your skin is more pH-balanced.
If you use a physical exfoliant as part of your skincare routine, we recommend applying your other products before exfoliating your face. So, apply your regular skincare products once you’re finished exfoliating and rinsing your face. Your product lineup should involve an ultra-light moisturizing moisturizer, a serum rich in antioxidants and nutrients, and a weightless sunscreen or nighttime product.
Adopt healthy skincare lifestyle habits
Be sure to get in 8 or 10 glasses of water every day to keep yourself properly hydrated. Next, limit yourself to moderate showers and baths because hot water tends to evaporate the skin’s natural oils.
Heating and air conditioning systems can also be drying to the skin. If you spend a lot of time in places with low humidity, you might want to consider buying a portable humidifier. Also, make sure you incorporate hydrating superfoods such as fatty salmon, nuts, and avocados into your diet.
Where to buy skincare products online
Check out Vaniday if you’re looking for affordable, premium k-beauty skincare products online. The all-in-one platform is also one of the best places to find reputable salons and wellness spa singapore based on the skincare services you need.
They offer a comprehensive directory of spas and hair spa singapore in Singapore. They also offer a broad catalogue of premium cosmetics. Moreover, the company will give you up to 20% cashback at some beauty salons.
Visit their website to learn more.
