How to choose the best moisturiser for dry skin

Identifying your skin type plays a crucial role in how effective your skin care is. From dry, to oily, to acne prone, knowing what ingredients to use could be game-changing. We spoke to Dalia Stoddard, General Manager of Rodan+Fields to learn how to address dry skin as a major concern, as well as what ingredients to look for to keep your complexion in it’s best hydrated shape.

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How do I know if I have dry skin?

Dry skin can show itself in a range of ways, “when the skin’s surface is dry, it is more prone to sensitivity and lines and wrinkles,” says Stoddard. “When skin is dry, it doesn’t function as it should. It can’t properly accept and absorb the ingredients applied to it. Because of this, products that should be providing more visible results - don’t - simply because the skin isn’t properly hydrated. It’s kind of a vicious cycle. Our...research shows that dry skin not only looks but acts older.” As a result, if you’re finding your skin care products are having little to no effect, it could be due to the fact that your skin is dry.

However, in identifying your skin as dry, don’t confuse it with being dehydrated. “Skin does not have to be dry to dehydrated - even those with oily skin can, and often do have dehydrated skin. Dehydrated skin lacks water, while dry skin lacks oil,” says Stoddard.

What could be causing my skin to behave like this?

There are a number of reasons for dry skin, but they can range from age to your climate, to the skin care products you are already using. Stoddard explains, “whether your skin has less estrogen due to age that helps kick up oil glands, or you are young and living in a cold, dry climate, or you have acne and are using strong topical medication, your skin does not care.”

So, what can I do about it?

Choosing skin care with the right ingredients is the first step in working to combat dry skin. Glycerin is a highly effective ingredient, explains Stoddard. “It takes water from the air and brings it directly to the skin.” This, in conjunction with hyaluronic acid, “instantly raises skin’s hydration level to help it reach optimal moisture equilibrium and keep it there throughout the day. Ample hydration keeps skin looking radiant and healthy, and better able to accept ingredients from products layered on top.” As well as hydrating throughout the day, these ingredients work to “[protect] the skin’s natural barrier...so it can help defend itself against dryness, irritation and signs of emotional stress,” says Stoddard.

What kind of products should I be looking for?

Layering skin care products is crucial in addressing dryness as a major skin concern. While a glycerin and/or hyaluronic based serum is a good place to start (try Rodan+Fields Active Hydration Serum), it is also important to find products that keep the active ingredients from leaving your skin, as well as protecting your skin from further environmental damage. This is where the Rodan+Fields Radiant Defense Perfecting Liquid Broad Spectrum 25 comes in. With an exclusive peptide, as well as antioxidants such as blueberry extract and red algae, it works as the final step in your daytime skin care routine, serving to protect and moisturise your complexion, as well as provide a tinted coverage. With three factors, including environmental defence, barrier defence and photo defence, the tinted moisturiser works to repair skin’s moisture barrier, protect against environmental aggressors that could drain moisture from your skin, plus is formulated with a broad spectrum sunscreen that prevents UVA and UVB damage.

And while the Radiant Defense Liquid Tinted Moisturiser is highly effective for dry skin, it has also been formulated to be non-comedogenic, meaning it won’t clog pores (making it perfect for acne-prone skin) and it evens skin tone over time.

Do you think dry skin could be a major skin concern for you?