‘Tis the season where dry skin takes a turn for the even more dehydrated. Cold air and changing temperatures dry skin out quickly, so you’ll want to take extra precautions by applying products that are proven to remedy dryness. A standout product for dry skin goes “beyond surface hydration to restore the skin’s regenerative capacity,” says New York dermatologist Julie Russak, MD, who notes this is especially important for mature, estrogen-deficient or barrier-compromised skin. We asked dermatologists to share the best products for dry skin that they’ve actually seen work.
Featured Experts
- Julie Russak, MD is a board-certified dermatologist in New York
- Sue Ellen Cox, MD is a board-certified dermatologist in Chapel Hill, NC
- Janine Hopkins, MD is a board-certified dermatologist in Southlake, TX
Hydration vs. Moisturization
It’s important to note the distinction between hydration and moisturization. “A product that improves internal hydration may still leave the skin’s surface feeling dry, while one that sits on top of the skin may not address deeper moisture needs,” notes Chapel Hill, NC dermatologist Sue Ellen Cox, MD. Combine products that specialize in each or find one that offers the best of both worlds to ensure you’re addressing all aspects of your dry skin.
Ingredients to Look for
“As skin matures, its lipid production, barrier integrity and cell turnover slow down, leading to increased dryness and sensitivity. Look for ingredients that actively restore these systems,” suggests Dr. Russak. Dr. Cox says a combination of humectants and occlusive agents works well for dry skin. “Humectants such as urea, hyaluronic acid and glycerin attract and bind water within the skin’s outer layer (the stratum corneum), while occlusive agents like petrolatum, paraffin and mineral oil form a protective barrier that minimizes transepidermal water loss.” Basically, humectants pull water into the skin while occlusives lock hydration in, explains Southlake, TX dermatologist Janine Hopkins, MD.
Barrier lipids such as ceramides, cholesterol and fatty acids are good for helping to repair and strengthen, says Dr. Hopkins. Since dry skin is often sensitive or inflamed she also recommends soothing actives like niacinamide and thermal spring water.Dr. Russak recommends “ceramides, squalane and essential fatty acids to rebuild the barrier, niacinamide to support barrier lipid synthesis and even tone and multi-weight hyaluronic acid for deep hydration.” She adds that peptides and growth-factor mimetics are especially valuable for dry, mature skin. “They help re-educate fibroblasts to produce collagen and elastin more efficiently. I also look for NAD+ precursors, postbiotics and senotherapeutic peptides, which target cellular fatigue and improve mitochondrial function, helping the skin behave more youthfully.”
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