9 Best Ingredients for Dry Skin To Go From Flaky to Fabulous

A soft base that glides under your fingers. A supple feel that leaves a slight bounce. A smooth finish that is the epitome of hydration. In other words, the ultimate package for healthy skin. All this may have sounded too good to be true if your reality is looking dry, cracked, and flaky. That is, until now.

With a concoction of hydrating and moisturizing products (yes, there is a difference), you too can experience the magic of healed and crack-free skin.

This blog post is here to rid your skin of its flaky, rough, itchy, stinging, peeling skin and come through with the 9 Best Ingredients for Dry Skin on the market for a hydrated finish that previously existed only in your dreams.

What is the main cause of dry skin?

What is Dry Skin?

Dry skin is skin that doesn't naturally have enough hydration to keep itself soft, and supple. Dry skin can be the result of genetics, environment, incorrect usage of skincare products, or underlying medical conditions.

Step 1 - Know Your Symptoms of Dry Skin

Identifying your skin can be a hassle but it just so happens to be the first step into just about anything and everything skincare.

Fortunately, the dry skin identification process is pretty straightforward. If you experience any of these unpleasant symptoms, you're officially on the Team Dry Skin:

1. scaling, cracking, flaking, peeling, or parched skin
2. itching
3. stinging and burning sensations on the skin

Step 2 - Identify The Causes of Dry Skin

The three main causes of dry or dehydrated skin are usually genetics, environment, and improper skincare routine or use of skincare products.

Other possibilities include:

1. hard water
2. excessive washing or bathing habits
3. exposure to irritants
4. humidity
5. Vitamin B deficiencies - This can make you sensitive to certain skin care products.

Tips:

In the world of plump and supple skin, moisturization and hydration, are often used interchangeably when they are different and both need the other to make the ideal skincare routine for dry skin.

Hydrating ingredients add hydration to the skin.

Moisturizing ingredients help keep the hydration in the skin by preventing water loss.

Best Ingredients for Dry Skin

Hyaluronic Acid

Hyaluronic acid is a tried-and-true, universally loved humectant that can hold 1000 times its weight in water. Since this ingredient is naturally present in the body, it is not very likely to irritate the skin and works wonders to protect the supple, plump look of the skin thereby improving rough texture, dryness, and skin elasticity, helping you fight the battle against wrinkles.

You really cannot get enough of this skin-quenching ingredient, here are three products that you can incorporate into your routine to moisturize dry skin:

Vichy Laboratories Minéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Booster

Neutrogena® Hydro Boost Gel-Cream with Hyaluronic Acid for Extra-Dry Skin

Glycerin

Layering hydrating ingredients is 100% helpful but only if the ingredients stay on the skin throughout the day. In comes glycerin, a humectant that attracts water to itself and holds it there. It is one of the best hydration magnets and helps with repairing the skin's moisture barrier. Glycerin is commonly found in many skincare products but for an extra splash to lock in your moisture, try the NOW Solutions, Vegetable Glycerin.

NOW Solutions, Vegetable Glycerin

Ceramides

When your skin suffers from dryness the skin's barrier functionality may be compromised. This is where ceramides, or epidermal lipids, come in handy, as they help to strengthen and protect the skin's natural protective barrier. Ceramides are also commonly found in most dry skin targeting products and work wonders when incorporated into your moisturizer. Give this a try for a tight lockdown of moisture with a splash of skin strengthening - the CeraVe Moisturizing Cream.

CeraVe Moisturizing Cream

Another great product for a healthy skin barrier that has Hyaluronic Acid, Glycerin, and Ceramides is the Cerave Hydrating Facial Cleanser.

CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser

Shea Butter

Shea butter is a top-notch emollient that not only locks in moisture but also softens and smoothes the skin - every dry, cracked, rough skin's ultimate dream. Shea butter relieves dry skin and eases irritation. It also provides an assist - not a replacement - for sun protection and comes in handy in the anti-aging journey. With consistent use, you are one step closer to soft and plump skin.

How does hydration help with anti-aging?
Dry skin = Shriveling of plump skin = Premature wrinkles and fine line

For maximum benefits, raw Shea Butter is better than refined ones, so our ideal pick is the Palmer's Raw Shea Nourish Body Balm.

Palmer's Raw Shea Nourish Body Balm

Skincare doesn't just start outside of the shower. Help out your dry skin with this extra-hydrating body wash - Buttah Egyptian Coco Shea Body Wash.

Buttah Egyptian Coco Shea Body Wash

Lactic Acid

Dry skin needs exfoliation too, just not at the strength of other skin types. Dry skin needs to remain hydrated while being exfoliated that is exactly what lactic acid is known for. As with any exfoliant, consistent use will rid the dead skin cells and soften and smoothen skin.

There are many options in the market that you could use and get good results from. When you factor in budget-friendly-ness and effectiveness, this one takes the cake.

Ordinary Lactic Acid 5% + HA 1 oz

Tip:
Use once or twice a week depending on how sensitive your skin is. Use once a fortnight if your skin is on the extra sensitive side.

Jojoba Oil

Locking down moisture, fighting against premature wrinkles and fine lines, and soothing dry or irritated skin all fall within the job description of jojoba oil. Jojoba oil is an ideal anti-inflammatory ingredient that is also non-acnegenic since it is similar to oils found in our bodies and can trick the skin into producing just the needed amount of oil and nothing more. This way, you can reap the benefits of the oil without worrying about acne (yes - dry skin can be acne-prone too). Jojoba has natural properties that prevent the growth of bacteria on the skin, making it an effective deterrent against microbes.

An organic choice that is approved for both the face and body and especially for dry skin is Viva Naturals Organic Jojoba Oil.

Viva Naturals Organiz Jojoba Oil

Coconut Oil

If your skin is extremely dry and needs even more assistance in the moisturization department, coconut oil is the definitive option. This occlusive ingredient is anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-viral, and highly suitable for eczema-prone skin. The only caveat is that it may not be well suited for everyday use on the face (and even the body) if you have acne or "bacne"-prone skin.

Give Now Solutions, Liquid Coconut Oil a try for a smooth, silky product that doesn't leave your skin feeling greasy.

Now Solutions, Liquid Coconut Oil

Oatmeal

Oatmeal is a great natural and organic ingredient that soothes, moisturizes, and helps to repair the skin's protective moisture barrier. It works great to gently and naturally exfoliate and reduce inflammation. This versatile ingredient can be used to make a mask from the comfort of your home or as part of a serum dedicated to the betterment of dry and sensitive skin repair.

For three times the strength packed in potent serum formula, ideal for delivering the ingredient deep into your skin, try the Aveeno Calm + Restore Triple Oat Serum.

Aveeno Calm + Restore Triple Oat Serum

Aloe Vera

When you think of Aloe Vera, you think of the cool, soothing effect it has on the skin whether it's during a facial or when it's applied to a burn. For dry-skinned folks, it is the holy-grail natural ingredient. Aloe Vera is ultra-hydrating, and anti-inflammatory making it a great gentle, natural moisturizer. It works overtime to reduce redness, acne, scarring, dark circles, and wounds making it an ideal ingredient to have in your arsenal for your dry skin needs.

For an organic aloe vera gel on its own to be used in conjunction with or on its own as a natural moisturizer, try the Seven Minerals Organic Aloe Vera Gel.

Seven Minerals Organic Aloe Vera Gel

At the end of any good skincare for any skin type is an SPF product. For our dry skin fam, this Coola Classic Face Organic Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30 is the ideal pick to round out your skincare routine without irritating your skin.

Coola Classic Face Organic Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30

Last but certainly not least, a product that we have tested and continue to repeatedly repurchase. The clear, glossy finish with ingredients like hyaluronic acid, Peptide complex, Madecassoide, East Asian mountain yam extract are ideal for a hydrated, soothing rejuvenation.

Peach & Lily's Glass Skin Refining Serum

What ingredient should dry skin avoid?

It is just as important to avoid certain products as it is to use the correct ones. Otherwise, no matter what you do, the soft, supple, crack-free skin you crave will always seem to be just out of reach.

Here are a few ingredients to look out for that can further dry your skin:

1. alcohol
2. strong retinol product (try sandwiching retinol in between layers of moisturizer if you decide to use it)
3. strong chemical peels
4. harsh exfoliants
5. glycolic acid
6. salicylic acid
7. benzoyl peroxide
8. fragrance
9. preservatives
10. comedogenic products

Pro-Tip:
1. Avoid hot water baths or showers. The more humidity your skin is surrounded by, the better.

2. Find a creamy, mineral-based sunscreen for a prime pick that doesn't dry your skin out.

3. Create a hydrating AM and PM routine from the thirst-quenching choice above to experiment and see what works best for you: Cleanser - Toner - Serum - Moisturize - SPF

Conclusion - Best Ingredients for Dry Skin

Dry skin can be physically painful with it cracking and stinging and emotionally painful as it can be a chore to take care of. But all that is in the past because, with a hydrating routine that lathers your skin with all the moisture it's going to need and keeps the moisture in place, your skin will be back on its way to feeling blissfully soft and supple. Try the CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser for a clean and moisturized base, or the Coola Classic Face Organic Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30 for an irritation-free day of SPF protection.

FAQs

How We Curated Our List

Whether you fall under the category of dry and dehydrated skin or flaky skin, there's always a way to learn how to make your skin work for you.

There are products on the market, with fatty acids and natural oils, to boost skin hydration but the main thing is finding your skin's balance of hydration for a day's long supple and damp skin.

We've taken the guesswork out of it for you and compiled a concise list of the best ingredients for dry skin that will fit both your budget and your needs.

Whether you're looking for a luxury option or something more affordable, we've got you covered.

Next Up: Best Korean Moisturizer for Dry Skin: Reviews & Guide

Sources

The Ultimate Skin Care Routine for Dry Skin

11 DRY SKIN TREATMENTS AND INGREDIENTS

What to know about dry skin

13 Natural Dry-Skin Remedies You Can DIY at Home

DERMATOLOGISTS' TOP TIPS FOR RELIEVING DRY SKIN

The Best Natural Ingredients for Dry Skin

7 Hydrating Skin-Care Ingredients That Will Actually Help Moisturize Dry, Dull Skin