DRY SKIN RECOMMENDATIONS

My comrades in dryness and dehydration, welcome! This week is all about you and with that I’d like to recommend you some products for each section of the Korean 10-step routine. A quick recap of your symptoms as a dry skin gal or guy:

- Little to no visible pores and blackheads.

- Prone to flaky skin.

- Your skin feels tight after cleansing

- Can sometimes feel itchy from dryness

- Hardly experience any oil.

1. Oil Cleanser

To be honest, I hardly use an oil cleanser as a dry skin person who only wears light makeup. But I do have one handy for those few occasions I wear heavy makeup. So, if you did want to add this step to your beauty routine, here are my recommendations. First, THEN I MET YOU Living Cleansing Balm. It contains seaberry oil (antioxidant and fatty acid-rich), which hydrates and protects, persimmon extract (anti-aging and brightening), olive oil (hydrating), and vitamin E (heals and strengthens). Side note: Contains fruit oils which is an essential oil. Second is the NEOGEN Real Cica Micellar Cleansing Oil. The star ingredient in this formula is cica, a compressed and more concentrated version of centella (popular ingredient that soothes inflammation and deeply hydrates). This is the cleanser for you if you just wanted something simple. Side note: Contains fruit oil which is an essential oil.

2. Water-based Cleanser

Step number 2 for dry skin has us looking for a cleanser which is not stripping or harsh. Something with brightening and hydrating ingredients is best. My recommendations for dry skin are the same as my sensitive ones in fact! First, NEOGEN’s Real Cica Micellar Cleansing Foam, the perfect cleanser for sensitive dry skin. The star ingredients include cica, a compressed version of green tea and centella which soothes inflammation. Hyaluronic acid is also present, to deeply hydrates skin. Side note: Contains fruit oil which is an essential oil. Secondly, ACWELL pH Balancing Bubble Free Cleansing Gel (not to be confused with Acwell’s Bubble free PH cleanser but that contains different ingredients, alcohol, and fragrance). The main ingredients are liquorice (soothe and brighten), elderflower (anti-inflammatory), and eight types of hyaluronic acid (deeply hydrating). So far, no major harsh ingredients.

3. Exfoliator

Number 3. Exfoliation. For dry skin types, this step is vital to making our skin glow and keep it hydrated. It removes our flaky and dead skin, making our skin brighter and allowing the following products to sink in effectively. Your probably sick of hearing this by now but NEOGENBio-Peel Gauze is one of my holy grail skincare products. It is both a physical and chemical exfoliant but is still gentle on the skin. The green tea one uses camellia Leaf Extract and centella to calm the skin and green tea extract (major anti-aging/antioxidant). Dry skin needs to exfoliate at least 1-2 times per week as we have a higher turnover of dead skin due to our natural dryness. Side note: Does contain alcohol and a small amount of fragrance. But I have used this for years and never had a reaction.

4. Toner

As a dry skin girl, toner is my absolute favourite step. It gives that hydration I crave after cleansing. One of my holy grail products when I’m not switching things up is the KLAIRS Supple Preparation Unscented Facial Toner. It contains amino acids, liquorice and aloe leaf to calm, hydrate, and brighten the skin. A great simple toner, with no harsh chemicals. My next recommendation is the OLIVARRIER Dual Moist Toning Lotion. This toner-essence hybrid has hyaluronic acid (hydrates), squalene (prevents moisture loss), and green tea (soothes and evens skin tone). It helps rebalance skin pH while promoting cell turnover. Clean toner as well, no nasties. Lastly, SKINRX LAB MadeCera Cream Double Essence Toner which I am currently trying out (a review will come out in a month or two). Contains ceramides and centella to protect against external pollutants and revive dull-looking skin. It also contains beta-glucan to moisturise and plump and AHAs within milk protein help to gently slough off dead skin cells. Side note: Does contain alcohol and fragrance, so if you know you react, I’d stay away from this one.

5. Essence

Halfway with step 5, essence! A very important step according to Korean skincare. For dry skin types this step allows us to replenish the skin. The first recommendation is THEN I MET YOU the Giving Essence. Curated by Soko glam, it is filled with amazing active ingredients:

- 80% naturally fermented ingredients have proven skin care benefits, including reducing the appearance of pores, blackheads and sebum.

- Polyglutamic acid, 4x more hydrating than hyaluronic acid.

- Ellagic acid, brightens and protects against UV rays.

- Red algae, exfoliates

- black chokeberry, anti-ageing.

- No nasties either!

The only problem is that it is only on Sokoglam.com which will slap you with expensive shipping and US prices. But if you do an order with a friend and go Dutch, it’s not so bad. My second recommendation is one I used for many years, HANSKIN Hyaluron Skin Essence. A great basic essence filled with hyaluronic acid for hydration. I never had any complaints with this toner and it has no nasty ingredients, although I think there are more advanced ones out there. My last rec is the MISSHA Time Revolution the First Treatment Essence RX. I’m very excited to try this one out since it is a cult favourite (review coming in a month). The newly upgraded formula contains 90% fermented yeast extract, to hydrate, improve texture, and reduce pigmentation, and niacinamide, to brighten and clarify. The double-fermentation process of the “RX” version means quick absorption of moisture. No alcohol or fragrance either.

6. Serum

Number 6, Serums! Ampoules and serums for dry skin types should be brightening, hydrating, and strengthening skin barrier. So, with that I’ve got a couple of categories. First hydration: ENATURE Birch Juice Hydro Serum. Formulated with 69% birch juice (hydrates and balances), and chamomile (calming and smooths). Side note: Does contain fragrance. The second category is barrier protection with MAKE P:REM Safe Me. Relief Moisture Green Ampoule and NEOGEN Probiotics Double Action Serum. The former contains Brazilian green propolis (protects and nourishes the skin) and propanediol (hydrates). Side note: Contains fruit oil, which is an essential oil, but a small amount. The latter is highly innovative because it includes two serums in one. The left side is the has both probiotics and prebiotics (anti-aging), hydrate with hyaluronic acid and glycerin, and gently exfoliating with lactic acid to brighten. The right-side has focuses on barrier protection with ceramides and peptides. Great all in one product if you did want to cut down. The third is brightening. For this I recommend a vitamin C serum. I currently use drunk elephants Vita C serum which is amazing but pricey as heck. Vita C serums also need to be kept cool since they oxidize quickly and lose effectiveness. However, one product that assists in both these problems is NEOGEN Real Vita C Powder. You can mix this serum in with your other serums or moisturisers at night or during the day with sunscreen. It includes 17% vitamin C, allantoin, collagen, trehalose, and lemon extract to hydrate and brighten. Side note: Contains fruit oil, which is an essential oil. The last is night serums which I would recommend the MISSHA’s Time Revolution Night Repair Probio Ampoule. It is said to be a dupe for Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair but with a much nicer price point. Contains 10 types of probiotics and five purple superfoods, which are known for their anti-ageing and protecting properties. Side note: Contains fruit oil which is an essential oil.

Serums are one of the products you really have to tailor to yourself. My skin needs hydration and brightening so that’s what I have serums to correct. So, I recommended so many so you can pick and choose depending on what you need. PS. If you need more calming serums go to my sensitive skin recommendations.

7. Sheet masks

The world of sheet masks can be quite confusing at times. But much like your serums you just go for the mask that targets your specific problem; dryness, hydrating, brightening, calming are all words relevant to our skin type. If they contain ingredients like argan oil, honey, collagen, hyaluronic acid, and snail essence are all great for dry skin. Some brands I love are Dr Jart, Mediheal, Innisfree, Tony Moly, and Etude House. Myer, W cosmetics, and Innisfree in Australia should have a good selection of face masks for you.

8. Eye cream

Almost there I swear! Eye cream is vitally import for us because dry skin ages quicker than any other skin type, and our eyes show signs first. Honestly, I don’t think I’ve found my holy grail eye cream yet. Since I want to target so many things: hydration, anti-aging, and dark circles without causes Milia. So, I only have two, one tried and tested and the other a want to try. First is KLAIRS Fundamental Nourishing Eye Butter, which I am currently using. To say the least it doesn’t cause irritation or milia and keeps by skin hydrated. Contains sunflower seed oil to protect, peptides for anti-ageing, green tea with anti-inflammatories, and cinnamon bark and caffeine to de-puff. Plus, no nasties! My want to try is HANSKIN Real Complexion Hyaluron Eye Serum. Formulated with four types of hyaluronic acid to deliver ultimate hydration, sugarcane extract to brighten, Irish moss extract and centella to calm. PLUS it has a metal ball applicator to cool and de-puff and no nasties either!

9. Moisturiser

Second last! For my dry skin, I love a good thick moisturiser, especially in the winter (I normally go a lighter one in summer). For summer, I’d recommend the GOOD (SKIN) DAYS™ On the Bright Side Moisturiser. While exclusively available at Soko Glam, this nourishing lightweight facial moisturiser has got star reviews. Containing rice ferment filtrate, bifida ferment lysate and lactobacillus ferment lysate and probiotics. Meaning it balance your skin microbiome and strengthens skin’s barrier function. No alcohol or fragrance either. For winter my holy grail is HUXLEY Cream; Glow Awakening. With Sahara Cactus Seed Oil, high in Vitamin E and antioxidants, this cream brightens and protects. Side note; very thick cream if you do or don’t like that. Side side note: Does contain a little fragrance and alcohol. A more anti-ageing focused moisturiser is NEOGEN’s Probiotic Relief Cream. 11 types of peptides help encourage collagen and elastin production, probiotics to protect, and royal jelly, jojoba oil, sunflower seed oil and shea butter to hydrate. Side note: Does contain a little fragrance. Finally, two products which are a great two in one for day and night cream; NEOGEN Vita Duo Cream Joan Day Joan Night and THANK YOU FARMER Rice Pure Gel and Cream. The former is a collaboration with Joan Kim a Korean YouTube (highly recommend) and it contains both day and night (can purchase together or separately). The day cream gives has antioxidant green tea and brightening vitamin C, while the Night Vita Cream features lavender oil and vitamin E to repair, soothe, and strengthen. Side note: Contains fruit oil, which is an essential oil. The latter includes both Gel and Cream so you can tailor to your skin. The gel cream calms with green tea extract and summer snowflake bulb extract, while the thick cream has mung bean, rice, and fig extract to hydrate and protect.

10. Sunscreen

Sunscreen is great for dry skin as it protects our weak skin barrier and prevent ageing (which we are more susceptible too). Taking a swerve from Korean skincare, I’m going to recommend the Edible Beauty Basking Beauty Natural Sunscreen SPF50. It uses zinc which is a natural sunscreen which protect against UVA and UVB. Unlike most mineral ones it leaves no white cast (thought it may on deeper skin tones). It also contains camellia seed oil (hydration, Vitamin E (antioxidant), Kakadu Plum extract (vitamin C), and rosehip oil (hydration and Vitamin A). It is a completely clean sunscreen, so your skin won’t react if you’re like me and tend to react to chemical ones. I’m using this product currently and so far, I love it.

And with that I conclude the 10-step dry skin recommendations. These products are just a suggestion on what could be good for your skin. I hope even one of these products helps you out and let me know if they do x Keep hydrated my dry little friends.

From author, Bridie Conroy