April 23, 2025

The Ultimate Guide to Skin Products for Dry Skin: Natural Solutions That Actually Work

Constantly battling dry, flaky, and itchy skin no matter what moisturiser or lotion you use? Does your skin feel tight and uncomfortable, especially during the colder months?

Imagine if you could solve your dry skin issues naturally and safely with the right skin products?

As a naturopath and nutritionist with over 25 years of clinical experience who also has very dry skin, I know firsthand what it feels like to live with dry, itchy skin that feels a few sizes too small and looks like the Sahara desert. I'm here to share everything you need to know about choosing effective skin products for dry skin. In this comprehensive guide, I'll explore the causes of dry skin, what to look for in skin products for dry skin, and my top recommendations to help you achieve smooth, supple skin – from head to toe. I'll also share important nutritional recommendations later in the article that can dramatically improve your skin from the inside out.

Once you understand what is causing YOUR dry skin, you'll be in a much better position to select skin products that either fix the problem or help you manage your dry skin so effectively that you'll never need to experience a snow storm of dead skin cells when you undress ever again.

Understanding Dry Skin: The Foundation for Choosing the Right Skin Products

Before diving into specific skin products for dry skin, it's essential to understand what causes dry skin in the first place. This knowledge will help you select products that address your specific concerns rather than just temporarily masking symptoms.

Common Causes of Dry Skin

Dry skin can be triggered by various factors, including:

1. Genetics If you've had dry skin since early childhood, or your dry skin started around puberty, genetic factors like atopy and Ichthyosis vulgaris (Ichthyosis = fish scale and vulgaris = common) are likely responsible. Genetically dry skin is usually associated with a higher risk of eczema and dermatitis, requiring specialized skin products for proper management.

Read more about the most common genetic reason for dry skin, Ichthyosis vulgaris

Ichthyosis Vulgaris: Why Your Extremely Dry, Flaky Skin Won't Get Better (And What Actually Works )

Best Products for Ichthyosis Vulgaris: Natural Solutions for "Fish Scale Skin"

2. Environmental Factors Cold weather, low humidity, air conditioning, sun exposure, salt water, and wind can all strip moisture from your skin. The right skin products for dry skin can create a protective barrier against these elements.

3. Lifestyle Habits Using harsh cleansers, over-exfoliating, and taking long hot showers or baths can compromise your skin's natural moisture barrier. Switching to gentle skin products specifically formulated for dry skin can make a significant difference.

4. Allergies Dry and irritated skin can be exacerbated by exposure to fragrances in laundry products and skincare. Allergies to preservatives in skin products are another common culprit behind dry skin.

5. Skin Barrier Damage Many conventional skin products contain ingredients that can actually damage your skin barrier, such as alcohol, emulsifiers, and sulfates. These ingredients can bind to and wash away the natural oils in your skin's protective barrier – what we in the industry call the "washout effect."

6. Age-Related Changes As we age, our skin becomes thinner and drier. Oil production tends to slow down, which has a further drying effect, making specially formulated skin products for mature dry skin essential.

7. Sun Damage UV radiation can damage the outermost layer of your skin (stratum corneum), making it thicker and resulting in dehydration and rough, flaky skin. Protective and restorative skin products are crucial if this is your primary concern.

8. Nutritional Deficiencies Lack of zinc, omega-3 fatty acids, iron, B vitamins, vitamin A, calcium, and vitamin D can all cause or worsen dry skin. While topical skin products help, addressing these deficiencies internally is also important.

9. Health Conditions Several health conditions can cause dry skin, such as diabetes, underactive thyroid, and kidney disease. If you suspect these might be contributing to your dry skin, consult a healthcare professional while using appropriate skin products to manage symptoms.

10. Medications Many medications can cause dry skin as a side effect, particularly those prescribed for blood pressure, allergies, cholesterol, and acne. Specialised skin products can help counteract these effects.

The Crucial Role of Your Skin Barrier in Selecting Skin Products for Dry Skin

With few exceptions, a damaged skin barrier is the common denominator among various causes of dry skin. When your skin barrier becomes compromised, it cannot retain moisture, allowing water to evaporate from your skin – a process professionals call trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL).

The skin barrier is an essential component that maintains moisture levels. When damaged, you'll experience:

Dryness and flakiness
Redness and irritation
Increased sensitivity to skincare ingredients
Potential for developing allergies to common ingredients
Increased acne breakouts
Susceptibility to dermatitis and eczema

This is why choosing the right skin products for dry skin is crucial – they should repair and strengthen your skin barrier, not damage it further.

How long does it take a damaged skin barrier to heal? With the right skin products, your skin barrier can repair itself within a few weeks to 6 months, depending on the degree of damage.

What to Avoid in Skin Products for Dry Skin

Before discussing what to look for in effective skin products for dry skin, let's identify what to avoid:

Harsh cleansers and exfoliants: These strip away natural oils
Soap-based products: Keep soap for your armpits only
Products containing alcohol: These are drying and irritating
Emulsifiers: They contribute to the "washout effect"
Sulfates: These are too harsh for dry skin
Fragrances: Common irritants that can trigger allergies
Preservatives: Can disrupt your skin's microbiome

Additionally, limit time spent in hot showers and baths, as they can further dry out your skin. When selecting clothing and bedding, avoid wool and synthetics (polyester and nylon) and opt for breathable cotton and bamboo fabrics instead.

Key Ingredients to Look for in Skin Products for Dry Skin

When selecting effective skin products for dry skin, these ingredients should be at the top of your list:

1. Olive Squalane Oil

Squalene is a natural lipid found in our skin, but its production decreases as we age. Olive squalane oil is a plant-based version similar in structure to your skin's natural squalene. It's easily absorbed and helps to hydrate and protect the skin – one of the most effective natural moisturising ingredients safe enough for even the most sensitive skin. It's a healthier alternative to mineral oil in skin products for dry skin.

2. Beeswax

Beeswax creates a protective barrier on the skin, preventing moisture loss while still allowing skin to breathe. It's a natural and environmentally friendly ingredient found in many quality skin products for dry skin. For vegans or those allergic to bee products, alternatives like Candelilla and Carnauba Wax offer similar benefits.

3. Jojoba Oil

Jojoba oil is actually a liquid wax rather than a true oil. It contains the highest percentage of natural ceramides of any oil (or liquid wax). Ceramides are specialised fatty acids that make up 40-50% of your skin barrier and play a vital role in maintaining skin moisture and hydration while protecting against irritation, infection, and UV radiation.

4. Natural Vitamin E

Vitamin E provides moisturising properties and serves as a powerful antioxidant that helps protect the skin from damage caused by free radicals. Research shows it protects against the drying and aging effects of UV radiation (specifically UVB) and helps safeguard collagen against damage from inflammation and free radicals. It also reduces inflammation in the skin, a common consequence of dryness and barrier damage.

5. Fractionated Coconut Oil (MCT Oil)

Medium-chain triglyceride oil (MCT) extracted from coconut oil has no smell and doesn't harden like regular coconut oil. Like squalane, it's a light oil that absorbs readily into the skin. It's less expensive than squalane and jojoba oil and works best in conjunction with these more moisturising oils in skin products for dry skin.

A note about regular coconut oil: In my experience working with countless dry skin clients, pure coconut oil is not ideal for very dry skin. It often sits on the surface, leaving skin feeling simultaneously greasy AND dry. It can also irritate damaged skin, causing itching and irritation. If coconut oil hasn't worked for you, don't discount MCT oil in skin products for dry skin, as it has a completely different composition.

The Best Types of Skin Products for Dry Skin

1. Oil-Based Cleansers

Oil cleansing is ideal for dry skin because it effectively removes dirt, makeup, and impurities without disrupting your skin's natural barrier. If you wear makeup or sunscreen, double cleansing using an oil-based product will thoroughly clean your skin while keeping it hydrated and moisturised.

For body cleansing, skip soap-based products altogether. Instead, use a warm, damp face cloth to gently wipe skin clean without any cleansing product while in the shower, using gentle soap around the armpits only.

2. Moisturisers Without Emulsifiers

Look for moisturisers that don't contain emulsifiers, which can bind to and wash away your skin's protective barrier. Oil-based moisturisers are excellent for dry skin because they don't require preservatives, which can damage your skin microbiome.

For best results, apply moisturiser while your skin is still slightly damp after cleansing. This helps trap moisture, creating a barrier that prevents water loss and keeps your skin hydrated and healthy.

3. Gentle Exfoliants

Exfoliation makes a significant difference in the look and feel of dry skin by removing the buildup of dead surface cells and allowing moisturizing oils to penetrate better. The key is using the right types of exfoliants and not over-exfoliating.

Recommended exfoliants for dry skin:

Dry skin brushing: Gently but effectively exfoliates from head to toe
Raw, sticky honey: Works as an excellent exfoliant and supports a healthier skin microbiome
Salicylic acid: When formulated with nourishing oils like squalane and MCT for removing scaly or rough skin
Urea: Effective for thick, rough, and scaly skin on legs and feet

Avoid harsh exfoliants like microbeads or apricot kernel-based products, which can damage your skin barrier further.

4. Simple Toners

The simplest toner for dry skin is filtered water spritzed before applying moisturizer. Chlorine in tap water can further dry skin, so filtered or mineral-rich water works best. Even better are toners based on plant hydrosols like rose, lavender, and sandalwood, which nourish and revitalize the skin.

Look for toners with simple ingredients (fewer than five is ideal) and beneficial components like niacinamide (vitamin B3), glycerin, sodium PCA, and panthenol (vitamin B5).

Why You Should Avoid Sorbolene and Glycerine Cream for Dry Skin

Sorbolene and glycerine cream is commonly recommended for dry skin but is not ideal. Based on paraffin and mineral oil, it functions more as a barrier cream than a true moisturizer. Mineral oil doesn't actually moisturize or repair dry skin; it simply sits on top of your skin like plastic wrap, preventing moisture loss while interfering with your skin's ability to sweat and shed dead cells – which can worsen dry skin over time.

Many patients report that their skin feels even drier than before when they stop using sorbolene and glycerine cream. While dermatologists often recommend mineral oil because it's considered inert and unlikely to cause irritation, increasing numbers of people are developing sensitivity to it, resulting in red and itchy rashes. Squalane is a much more effective and safer alternative in skin products for dry skin.

Nutritional Support for Dry Skin

While topical skin products are essential for managing dry skin, addressing nutritional needs can enhance their effectiveness. Consider these supplements to support healthy, hydrated skin from within:

Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Help moisturize skin from within (fish oil or plant-based alternatives like sea buckthorn oil)
Zinc: Supports the skin's protective barrier and reduces inflammation
Iron: Prevents dry, itchy skin (have levels checked with a blood test)
Vitamin A: Addresses generalized skin dryness and follicular hyperkeratosis
Vitamin E: Improves dry skin and several chronic inflammatory skin conditions
Vitamin D: Enhances skin barrier function
B Vitamins: Support natural barrier function and reduce dryness and flakiness

Creating Your Dry Skin Care Routine with the Right Products

Morning Routine:

Cleanse: Use an oil-based cleanser or simply rinse with filtered water
Tone: Apply a simple hydrosol or filtered water spritz
Moisturise: Apply an oil-based moisturiser with protective ingredients while skin is still damp
Protect: Apply sunscreen if going outdoors

Evening Routine:

Cleanse: Double cleanse with an oil cleanser if wearing makeup or sunscreen
Exfoliate: 1-2 times weekly with a gentle exfoliant
Tone: Apply hydrosol or filtered water spritz
Moisturise: Apply a richer oil-based night product with regenerative ingredients

Weekly Treatment:

Consider a nourishing mask or treatment with ingredients like honey, oats, or concentrated oils to provide deep hydration.

Choosing the Right Skin Products for Dry Skin Makes All the Difference

Dry skin can be uncomfortable and even painful, but with the right skincare products and routine, it's a manageable condition. Understanding the causes of dry skin, the role of your skin's protective barrier and microbiome, and selecting appropriate ingredients are key to keeping your skin hydrated, healthy, and looking its best.

Remember that consistency is crucial when managing dry skin. Regular use of suitable skin products for dry skin will protect your skin barrier, prevent moisture loss, and gradually improve your skin's appearance and comfort level.

For persistent or severe dry skin that doesn't respond to these approaches, consider consulting with a naturopath or dermatologist who can help identify underlying causes and recommend specialised skin products for your specific condition.

Ready to Transform Your Dry Skin? Try Our Naturopath-Formulated Solutions

After 25+ years of clinical experience treating dry skin conditions, I've formulated a range of preservative-free, oil-based skin products specifically for stubborn dry skin issues. Each product is hand-crafted in small batches in Noosa using concentrated active ingredients that work with your skin's natural processes, not against them.

Explore Our Dry Skin Collection →

Our products are free from harsh preservatives, emulsifiers, and synthetic fragrances that can further damage your skin barrier. Instead, we use therapeutic-grade natural ingredients like olive squalane, jojoba oil, and natural vitamin E that nourish and restore your skin's natural balance.

Sarah Luck is a naturopath and nutritionist with over 25 years of clinical experience and the founder of Healthy Skin[care], creating preservative-free, oil-based skincare formulations specifically designed for dry, sensitive, and mature skin. Her products are crafted in small batches in Noosa, Australia, combining clinical expertise with clean, effective ingredients for naturally radiant, healthier-looking skin.