Do you struggle with dry, sensitive skin? Do you get dry patches, little bumps or redness, and you're not sure which skincare products are right for your sensitive, dryness-prone skin?
If you answered yes, this post is for you.
I've had dry, sensitive facial skin for as long as I can remember. In winter my skin felt tight and flaky in places, and no cream ever seemed to really help. That's how it used to be, but now I've found a solution. Here I'm sharing a few tips and the skincare products that have helped me.
My routine is based on the principles of Korean skincare, but I've adapted them to suit my own skin. Not all the products I use are Korean, as I've picked my favorites from elsewhere too.
Korean Skincare
Korean skincare focuses on skin wellness, hydration, balance and a natural glow. It favors gentle ingredients, layering lightweight products and strengthening the skin barrier. The goal is to prevent skin problems, not just treat them.
Korean beauty is known for its innovative products and effective formulas. If you have sensitive skin, it's best to avoid products that contain alcohol, harsh exfoliants or fragrance, because they can damage the skin barrier. For dry skin, hydrating toners and rich creams are recommended. Hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin draw moisture into the skin, and a rich cream locks it in. Ceramides and niacinamide strengthen the skin barrier and help restore the skin's own lipid layer.
When your skin is damaged, stick to a gentle cleanser, a hydrating toner and a rich moisturizer. Avoid over-washing, scrubbing, exfoliants and retinoids while your skin recovers.
Double Cleansing
Double cleansing is a signature step in Korean skincare. First, an oil-based cleanser removes makeup, sunscreen and oily impurities. Then a water-based cleanser removes whatever is left. Double cleansing leaves your skin thoroughly clean without drying it out.
My routine: My cleansing routine is a little different from traditional Korean double cleansing, because I use two oil-based products. In the evening I start by gently massaging jojoba oil into my skin, which helps loosen makeup and sunscreen. Then I use Evolve Gentle Cleansing Melt, a cleansing balm, and rinse it off with lukewarm water.
After I started using jojoba oil, the dryness and bumps on my skin decreased noticeably. I've found that gentle oil cleansing works especially well for my skin. I share more about my experience in my post Unexpected Dry Skin Remedy: Oil Cleansing
Hydrating with Toner
Toner helps restore your skin's pH balance. A good toner is alcohol-free. It hydrates, soothes and helps your skin absorb the moisturizers you apply afterwards.
My routine: Every evening after cleansing and in the morning, the first thing I do is mist toner onto my face. Right now I'm using Round Lab Birch Juice Moisturizing Toner.
Essence and Serum
In Korean skincare, a light, hydrating essence is usually applied after toner and before serum. The general rule of thumb, though, is to apply products from thinnest to thickest, whether they're essences or serums.
My routine: After toner, I always pat on a Madagascar Centella Ampoule serum first, followed by COSRX Snail Mucin essence, since Centella serum is lighter. Centella Ampoule soothes sensitive skin, and reduces redness. Snail Mucin hydrates and nourishes the skin and supports cell renewal.
Eye Cream
The skin around the eyes is very thin and delicate, and it's often where the first signs of aging, like fine lines and dark circles, show up. There are many kinds of eye creams, each designed for the specific needs of the eye area. For example, caffeine reduces puffiness, hyaluronic acid hydrates and peptides firm the skin.
My routine: I gently pat Eight Saints All In Eye Cream, an avocado eye cream, along my orbital bone with my ring finger, from the inner corner outwards. It hydrates beautifully, and gentle patting helps spread it without stretching the delicate skin.
Day and Night Moisturizer
A good moisturizer locks in hydration and keeps your skin nourished and soft. Ceramides, squalane and hyaluronic acid hydrate the skin without feeling too greasy.
My routine: During the day I use Eight Saints Cloud Whip Vitamin C Cream, which contains jojoba oil, cocoa butter and vitamin B5, among other things. These ingredients help soften and hydrate dry skin and support the skin barrier. The vitamin C in the cream also works as an antioxidant. It feels lovely on my skin and has worked well for my dry, sensitive skin.
In the evening I use Eight Saints Up the Anti Night Cream. Its niacinamide supports the skin barrier, and its hyaluronic acid helps bind moisture into the skin.
I apply my moisturizers over my serum and essence. I gently pat them in and prefer upward rather than downward strokes when I smooth them over my face.
Every now and then I use Illiyoon ceramide cream, which works well for mature skin. Ceramides repair and strengthen the skin barrier, lock in moisture and smooth the skin.
Sunscreen
A broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30 protects your skin from both UVA and UVB rays. It helps prevent sun damage and premature aging. UVA rays mainly contribute to premature aging, while UVB rays cause sunburn, among other things. UV exposure also increases melanin production and can lead to sun spots.
My routine: Every morning I pat Haruharu Wonder sunscreen over my day cream on my face and neck. Since I have redness on my nose and forehead, I also apply Dr. Jart+ Cicapair Color Correcting Treatment SPF to those areas.
Hydrating Face Oil
In my evening routine, I also use 1–2 drops of oil over my night cream. It calms my skin, and my skin doesn't feel tight in the morning. I usually use hydrating, nourishing squalane oil.
One night a week I use rosehip oil, and another night argan oil.
Argan oil hydrates and softens the skin and helps maintain the skin barrier.
Rosehip oil contains beneficial fatty acids and antioxidants. It softens the skin, strengthens the skin barrier and helps prevent moisture loss.
Final Thoughts
Dry, sensitive skin doesn't need dozens of products. It needs gentle cleansing, plenty of hydration and ingredients that support the skin barrier. For me, the most important thing has been listening to my own skin and giving it time.
Patch test each new product on a small area first, for example under your jawline.
Introduce new products one at a time and wait a couple of weeks before adding the next one. That way you'll notice if your skin reacts, and you'll know right away which product caused it.
Your skin loves good oils, both on the outside and on the inside! Healthy skin starts on your plate as much as on your bathroom shelf. Good fats from foods like fatty fish, nuts, seeds and olive oil help keep your skin soft and hydrated. I share more about healthy fats in my post Healthy Fats Explained.
What does your skincare routine look like? Do you have a favorite product that has saved your dry or sensitive skin? Let me know in the comments!
"Beauty is not in the face; beauty is a light in the heart."
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"Beauty is not in the face; beauty is a light in the heart." 〰️
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Struggling with dry patches? Oil washing could be the gentle solution your skin needs to feel smooth and nourished again.