Skincare routine for dry skin – 2023 Guide

If you’ve reached ‘that stage’ of life when your skin is not quite as comfortable as it used to be, you may well be asking what skincare is best for dry skin.  Well the good news, is that you can use the power of aromatherapy to help your dry skin and boost your wellbeing.

And the bonus being, you can do it in as little as 3 steps!

Here’s a simple and effective aromatherapy-based routine you can use on dry skin.

Aromatherapy skin care is simple and based on the age old routine of cleansing, toning and moisturising.  Remember it takes between 21 to 28 days for skin to renew itself, so the skin care routine must be followed for at least three weeks before results can be seen.

Aromatherapy makes use of essential oils and cold pressed vegetable oils to improve your skin’s health and appearance of the skin. The essential oils are powerful molecules that not only benefit your skin, but also boost your immune system, perk up your mood, and offer other wellbeing effects.

Step 1 – Cleansing

What is the best cleanser for dry skin?  The basis of cleansing is simple – to remove excess sebum, make-up, pollution and dirt from the skin in a gentle manner.  Using soaps to cleanse is not always recommended as most soaps are too alkaline which disrupt the skin’s natural acid mantle. Also most soaps have artificial fragrances which can cause irritation and sensitisation.  Many cleansers on the market use aggressive detergents which strip the skin of its acid mantle. Indications of using the wrong cleanser include a sensation of excessive toughness, drying, redness, itching or scaling.   You need to try different products and decide what suits your individual skin best.

Using a creamy cleanser is a gentle and effective way to remove all traces of dirt and makeup, leaving the skin nourished and supple.  Its gentle nature makes it suitable for all types, including sensitive skin.  Jan Kusmirek, author of Liquid Sunshine, and advocate for the use of the healing vegetable oils, is a firm believer in using vegetable oils to cleanse the skin. Jardin de Fleurs combines the gentle properties of jojoba and castor bean to cleanse your skin. You’ll feel how your skin feels moistened and supple. The gorgeous aroma is fresh, uplifting and brightens a dull morning. When used in the evening, allows you to unwind and prepare for sleep.

Step 2 – Toning  or Tonic!

The traditional step of a toner was to remove any traces of the cleanser, and to rebalance the skin’s pH to it’s happy 5.5.

Why?  You can read the full explanation here as to why I don’t use traditional toner though (Why I don’t use acids)

So yes, the next step after cleansing is a toner, but in natural skin care, you use a facial tonic which does more than remove residual cleanser.

A facial mist that tonifies your skin brings added nutrients and skin-loving benefits.

And the most natural way to do this is through gorgeous floral extracts called hydrosols.

Hydrosols are uber awesome in what they do for skin that is usually sensitive, irritated, dry or finickity.

The most economical way to use a hydrosol is by misting your face with it. The old fashioned toners were applied to cotton pads, but what a waste of good hydrolat to do that, so no, spray it on.

Face misting can be done through the day when it is hot and humid, when you are on an plane, after exercising, before a Zoom call or when you need a pick-me-up.

For the ultimate treat, use Drench facial tonic which combines  4 hydrosols (rose, lavender, frankincense and geranium) with vitamins, minerals and collagen boosting MSM

What do the hydrosols do?? And which one will work best for your skin?

Lavender hydrolat is the all rounder – for all ages from toddlers right through to granny. So all skin types, including sensitive skin.

Rose water is a divine humectant – draws moisture into your skin.  If you have rosacea or are menopausal or anxious, this is a Must Have.

Frankincense hydrolat is superb when skin needs to be lifted, tightened and replenished. It’s one of the sacred hydrosols, so use with reverence.

Neroli hydrolat comes from orange blossoms and is ideal for combination or oily skin as well as being a pick-me-up if you’re depressed

Geranium hydrolat is the number one balancer for midlife… it works a charm on dry or mature skins.  Emotionally, it soothes when stressed or anxious or sleep is impaired.

Chamomile hydrosol is specific to dry, sensitive and inflamed skin. It’s one of the few hydrosols you can use as an eye compress from computer strain.

Witch hazel is one that Granny recommends. However its best paired with rosewater as is too astringent on it’s own.

And of course Drench comes balanced and ready for dry and sensitive skin types, along with skin-repairing MSM, calming vitamin B3  and a superb blend of essential oils that life mood.

Step 3 – Moisturising

Moisturisers and their cousins the richer night creams, prevent moisture loss by adding a protective film to the skin. They also seal in the moisture from the previous step.
They also protect the skin against dirt, damage, pollution and harsh climatic and living conditions.  Moisturisers and night creams give the skin a plump, smooth, supple appearance.

Moisturising creams are emulsions of water, oil and wax.  The oil softens, soothes, prevents moisture loss and protects the skin while the water adds moisture to the skin and the wax acts as an emulsifier as water and oil do not blend.  Moisturisers are particularly beneficial for people with dry skin who suffer from low sebum production.  If the body is not able to produce an effective acid mantle (which is a combination of sebum and perspiration) the skin will be unprotected causing moisture loss.

Night creams

What are the benefits of night cream? They address the skin concern of dryness. Night creams have a thicker texture and more active ingredients that work on repairing and rejuvenating during the evening and night. You don’t put makeup over them so they can have a creamier texture compared with day time lotions and moisturisers.

Adding a restorative night cream such as Heart of Eternity  helps your skin retain moisture and petal softness . It can be paired with a serum to address periorbital hyperpigmentation or hyperpigmentation around the mouth. .

Heart of Eternity night cream contains palm-oil-free ingredients certified by the Soil Association Certification Ltd . The scent is sensual and evocative of romantic evenings under the stars.    Essential oils of jasmine, rose, sandalwood and ylang ylang have been artfully blended to provide an aroma that is luxurious and uplifting .  The colour is gentle hint of palest cream, like the soft lighting of a new day. And is a British family brand.

Heart of Eternity’s light and smooth texture absorbs quickly and easily, nourishing the skin with valuable unsaturated fatty acids and vitamin E from Moroccan Argan oil . Due to its anti-oxidant properties, Argan  is particularly useful for mature or damaged skin, eczema, sun damage, scarring, wrinkles and stretch marks. Marula has anti inflammatory and healing properties for dry, red, itchy skin.  Avocado unsaponifiables are included for their rebalancing properties on dry skin, and make your skin soft and smooth. Pomegranate is a cell regenerator and anti-inflammatory  rich in rare Punic acid.   As we age our levels of Hyaluronic Acid drop, so this why it’s included in lavish amounts along with aloe Vera and schizandra extract. In no time at all your skin is revitalised and ready for the day.

Dry skin around nose

If you have dry skin around your nose it may be due to either dryness (insufficient sebum, or dehydration in which case you need to use Hyaluronic Acid to hold in the moisture as well as Shea Butter. Both of these are used in Heart Of Eternity. If you literally want to hydrate your skin overnight, there are 3 critical ingredients you must use at night.

If your skin is dry under your nose, then consider using a serum with hyaluronic acid, or applying a fine layer of a facial balm like Samba as a dripping nose in Winter certainly dries out the skin between your nose and your lips.

Remember, just like with maintaining physical fitness, there are no short cuts or instant solutions.  The only way to improve your skin is to treat it well, every day. Small steps accumulate over time, so find yourself an aromatherapy-based skin care range that you love to use.

I recommend the Try-Me Experience which I can ship to UK, North America and Australia. If you’re looking for a cruelty free cleanser and Moisturizer duo, you’re in the right place.

And if you’re wondering if you can over moisturize your face? No – any excess face cream you apply will simply wipe off onto your pillow. If you have pumped out too much from your jar, simply apply it to other areas like neck and décolleté. French women don’t consider their face stops at the jawlines – they ALWAYS moisturize their entire neck and décolleté. That’s one of their beauty secrets.

For crystal-infused skincare see my new serums!

References:

Hydrosols – Suzanne Catty

The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy by Salvatore Battaglia

Liquid Sunshine by Jan Kusmirek