Skincare for Dry and Dehydrated Skin

Dry and dehydrated are not the same thing, and knowing which one you have changes what actually helps. Dry skin does not make enough oil, so it wants nourishing. Dehydrated skin does not hold enough water, so it wants hydrating. Plenty of people have both at once, particularly through an Australian winter or after a long run of air conditioning.

This edit covers both. Hyaluronic acid to draw water in, a peptide moisturiser to hold it there, and a face oil for the nights when skin needs sealing rather than soaking.

The order matters more than the number of steps. Hyaluronic acid onto slightly damp skin, moisturiser over the top within a minute, oil last if you use one. Applied to bone dry skin in a dry room, hyaluronic acid can pull moisture out rather than in, which is why so many people find it does nothing for them.

Everything is fragrance free and made in small batches on the Sunshine Coast. If your skin is flaking under makeup, the Liquid Mineral Foundation sits far more kindly on dry patches than a powder will.

See also the full skincare range.

Frequently asked

What is the difference between dry and dehydrated skin? Dry skin lacks oil and tends to feel rough or flaky all year round. Dehydrated skin lacks water and can feel tight while still looking shiny by the afternoon. Dehydration is a temporary state that anyone can have, including oily skin. Many people have both.

In what order should I apply hydrating products? Cleanser, then toner if you use one, then hyaluronic acid onto slightly damp skin, then moisturiser within a minute, then oil last. In the morning, sunscreen goes over the top.

Why does hyaluronic acid make my skin feel tighter? Because it is drawing moisture from the nearest available source, and in a dry room that source is your own skin. Apply it to damp skin and always seal it with a moisturiser and it behaves quite differently.

Can dry skin still be sensitive? Very often, yes. A compromised barrier is what makes skin both dry and reactive, which is why fragrance free formulas matter here as much as anywhere.

How long before I see a difference? Hydration is usually noticeable within a few days. Barrier repair takes two to three weeks, and texture takes a full skin cycle of about four to six weeks. Give any new routine that long before you judge it.