The top four dry skincare essentials from The Ordinary

Written by: Ryan O’Connell
Published on 24 October 2024

Taking care of your skin has become a bigger priority for many people in the past few years, and a well-crafted skincare routine is essential for maintaining healthy, glowing skin. However, while more and more products are hailed as the holy grail to the perfect complexion, it’s crucial to tailor your skincare to your specific skin type.

Different skin types, different needs

Different people have different skin types—such as oily, combination, sensitive, or dry—and these different skin types require distinctly different products to address their distinct needs. For people with dry skin, highlighting products that are crafted with hydration in mind should be the top priority. Hydration and moisture retention are key to soothing and nourishing dry skin and avoiding those feelings of tight, rough, or flaky skin.

The Ordinary: Affordable, effective skincare

The Ordinary has become one of the top brands in skincare and for good reason. Putting an emphasis on skincare goals and focusing on top ingredients, The Ordinary offers highly effective skincare for affordable prices. With hydrating moisturisers and rich serums, The Ordinary has everything you need to quench thirsty skin and restore its natural balance. Whether you're just beginning to build your skincare routine or looking to enhance it, here are some of the top The Ordinary products that will help you keep your dry skin soft, smooth, and hydrated.

The best ingredients for dry skin

Before you start putting together your moisture-boosting skincare routine, it’s essential that you know what products to look out for. Certain ingredients will automatically help transform your skin from dry and dull to hydrated and glowing. There are two types of ingredients you need to look for: hydrating ingredients and moisturising ingredients.

Hydrating ingredients are going to help literally hydrate your skin, by adding water to the skin. Moisturising products, on the other hand, are going to work to retain that moisture and prevent moisture loss in the skin.

Some of the top ingredients for skin hydration include:

• Hyaluronic Acid

• Glycerin

• Ceramides

• Squalane

• Lactic Acid

Cleanser: Squalane Cleanser

The first step in any good skincare routine is a cleanser. While it is non-negotiable, finding a cleanser can be difficult for those of us with dry skin. A skin cleanser removes dirt that accumulates throughout the day, such as oil, makeup, and more. Cleansing your skin prevents your pores from clogging, reducing breakouts and skin dullness. This will allow your skin to breathe and regenerate itself. However, cleansing can be quite harsh and drying on the skin, and can damage the skin barrier, reducing your skin’s ability to retain hydration and moisture. Therefore, if you have dry skin, it’s essential to find a skin cleanser that will support skin moisturisation and hydration.

Thankfully, The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser offers a gentle cleanse that will remove those pesky impurities while maintaining the skin’s moisture. It’s rich in squalane, which is one of those key ingredients for dry skin, so this cleanser will leave your skin hydrated and nourished while also ensuring your skin gets a good cleansing.

Toner: The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toner 240ml

After cleansing your skin, you’ll need to use a toner. Toners work to balance the skin’s pH after it has been cleansed, which is essential in maintaining a healthy skin barrier. Your toner will also work to remove any impurities left behind after cleansing and will also remove excess oil. Toner will also help prepare your skin for your serums and your moisturiser and ensure they absorb properly.

Again, toner can be tough to find for dry skin, as many toners contain harsh ingredients such as alcohol that can remove moisture and dry the skin out. As a result, it’s important to find a toner that provides hydration and soothes irritation while also still doing its job of cleansing and balancing.

For dry skin, The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toner is a perfect option. This toner gently exfoliates dead skin cells and promotes skin cell turnover, improving your skin’s overall texture and radiance. You’ll find ingredients intended to soothe, such as aloe vera and ginseng, which will counteract any potential drying, leaving the skin refreshed and hydrated.

Serum: The Ordinary Hydrating Serum HA+B5

Between your toner and your final step of moisturising, you can use serums to further your goal of achieving hydrated, glowing skin. Serums will work to tackle dry skin by delivering intense hydration through those essential hydrating ingredients such as hyaluronic acid and glycerin. Serums are key to improving moisture retention and leaving skin softer, smoother, and more supple.

For dry skin, your ideal serum is The Ordinary Hydrating Serum HA + B5. This serum tackles dry skin with a combination of hyaluronic acid and vitamin B5 to promote deep, long-lasting hydration. Hyaluronic acid pulls moisture to the skin, while vitamin B5 enhances your skin’s hydration and promotes healing. With this serum, your skin will feel plump, soft, and replenished.

Moisturiser: The Ordinary Natural Moisturising Factors + PhytoCeramides

It may be the last step but it certainly isn’t the least. Your key to keeping your skin hydrated and happy is a good-quality moisturiser. Moisturiser is the key to locking in moisture, protecting your skin barrier, preventing dryness and flakiness, while also creating a shield against environmental factors such as pollution and harsh weather. Regular use of a good moisturiser can improve skin texture, reduce the appearance of fine lines, and support overall skin health. Regardless of your skin type, moisturising is a vital step to keep your skin soft, smooth, and balanced.

If you’re looking for a top-notch moisturiser, look no further than The Ordinary Natural Moisturising Factors + PhytoCeramides. This moisturising cream replenishes skin moisture and seals this hydration into the skin. According to The Ordinary, the cream improves your skin’s hydration by 68% and ensures your skin remains moisturised all day long. This rich moisturising cream contains two of the top skin hydrating ingredients we mentioned: Ceramides and Sodium Lactate. By improving the skin's ability to retain moisture, it leaves your skin feeling soft, smooth, and replenished, providing essential protection from dryness.

Additional product: 100% Plant-Derived Squalane

If you’re looking for even more hydration, adding another step to your routine could be the key.

The Ordinary's 100% Plant-Derived Squalane helps combat skin dryness by mimicking the skin's natural oils to lock in moisture and prevent water loss. It provides lightweight, non-greasy hydration, restoring suppleness and softness. Suitable for all skin types, squalane deeply nourishes the skin, leaving it smooth, hydrated, and healthy-looking.

Conclusion

When you’re putting together your skincare routine, you can use a The Ordinary voucher code to save on your order. However, it may also help to look at our Health & Beauty discounts.