Dry skin is particularly sensitive and requires gentle care. How do you care for this fragile skin type? Here's how. 

Summer and winter alike, dry skin makes no distinction. To avoid redness and tightness in winter, or peeling and itching in summer, you need to apply the right skincare routine. Whether you have oily, combination, sensitive, dry or normal skin... It's time to pamper your skin, and it's out of the question to let it suffer because of external factors! 

How can I tell if I have dry skin?

If you have dry skin, you've probably always had it. Sometimes, however, you don't really pay attention to the condition of your skin until a problem sets in. To avoid this and define your skin type, here's what you need to know to recognize a dry skin type: 

1. A feeling of tightness or discomfort on the skin after cleansing the face or body.

2. Itchy, red or irritated skin that appears easily is also an indicator of dry skin.

3. Skin can appear dull or rough when no care is applied.

4. Wrinkles and fine lines are particularly visible, even at a young age. 

5. Skin may peel or flake easily (in summer and winter).

6. Skin is more sensitive to climatic changes, especially when it's cold and dry.

7. Skin is prone to imperfections, more quickly and more easily.

When skin displays most of these symptoms, there's a 90% chance that it's indeed dry. In this case, and if you haven't already done so, it's important to put in place an appropriate skincare routine. For both face and body! 

Differentiating between dry and dehydrated skin 

It's a common misconception that dehydrated skin is dry, or that dry skin is simply dehydrated. But there really is a difference, and you can't go wrong! Combination skin, oily skin and normal skin can also become dehydrated, whereas dry skin is a skin type that cannot change over the course of a lifetime. 

A good way to differentiate between the two is to see how the skin reacts to moisturizing products. If skin remains dry and rough despite the use of rich, nourishing moisturizers, it's most likely a dry skin type. On the other hand, if the skin responds positively to moisturizers and regains its elasticity and luminosity, it's simply dehydrated skin.

The characteristics of dehydrated skin 

Dehydrated skin is caused by a lack of water in the skin. It can be caused by environmental factors such as dry and windy weather, or by an unbalanced lifestyle such as excessive alcohol or coffee consumption and poor hydration in general. Signs of dehydrated skin include rough skin texture, fine lines, dullness, and a tired appearance. Generally, balancing your water intake is enough to get things back on track. It is recommended to drink up to 2L of water per day to properly nourish the body (and therefore the skin). A hydrating beauty routine can ideally complement this habit, with the application of a hyaluronic acid serum (ultra-hydrating and anti-aging) and a rich cream. 

The skincare routine for dry skin  

Now that dry skin has been diagnosed, it's time to put in place a gentle routine adapted to this type of skin, which is particularly sensitive to external aggressors.

What skincare products should you add to your routine?

To prevent dryness, discomfort, redness and tightness of the skin barrier, we add the right care products to our routine, for both body and face. 

A gentle,non-aggressive facial cleanserfor gentle, yet thorough skin cleansing. Cleansing gels, foams and even balms are particularly suitable for dry, sensitive skin. On the active side, choose natural formulas containing moisturizing and nourishing agents such as sweet almond oil or shea butter. 

Facial toner or floral water. To balance skin pH and reduce the irritating effects of dry skin, floral water or a toner (preferably a natural formula) can work wonders. Rosehip floral water, gentle, soothing and moisturizing, is perfect for maintaining the hydrolipidic film of dry skin.    

Lip balm. It's the most overlooked of all skincare routines, yet lip balm has so much to offer! Indispensable for dry skin, it is best applied at night before bedtime to act as a mask on the fragile skin of the lips.                                       

Choose a rich moisturizer for face and body. While not recommended for oily skin (as with all oily skin care products), rich moisturizing care is totally recommended for dry and sensitive skin. It comes in the form of a moisturizing cream or nourishing oil, depending on the texture you prefer. While the cream is gentler and more comforting, the oil can be particularly soothing, leading to a massage of the face and body that can only do good. For the face, always pair with a serum (preferably with hyaluronic acid) for double effectiveness and to combat lack of water. 

Apply sun protection. It's the new hobbyhorse of the health and beauty world. Sun protection must be applied every day, summer and winter alike! Even under gray skies, the sun's UV/UVB rays can be harmful to the skin, especially when it's sensitive like dry skin.

A mask break, once a week. Essential for dry and sensitive skin, it's highly recommended for all skin types. A mask, whether purifying, moisturizing, detoxifying or nourishing, is a cocooning step in your beauty routine. Once a week, give yourself 20 minutes to put it on. Dry skins love fabric masks soaked in moisturizing active ingredients that deeply nourish and boost the skin's protective barrier.

What should you avoid at all costs if you have dry skin? 

If you're quickly tempted to experiment with all the trends you see blossoming on social networks, when you have problem skin like dry skin can have. Avoid them! Skin respects itself, and before applying any kind of product or routine that seems "cool" to us, we need to know (imperatively) what suits it or not. Generally speaking, skin is happy with a simple routine, as long as it's appropriate. 

Dry skin should at all costs avoid products containing alcohol or other aggressive agents such as retinol, BHAs and AHAs. Repeated peelings, whether mechanical or chemical, should also be avoided, unless they are gentle and carried out once a month. When washing dry skin, lukewarm water is preferable to hot water, which will further weaken the sensitive dermis. As for lifestyle habits, it would also be ideal to avoid smoking and alcohol consumption, to enable the skin to assimilate moisture optimally.