Your Guide to Genetic Skin Types: Dry Skin

Not all skin is created equal. By understanding *your* skin type, you can better address your skin concerns and properly care for it, which helps to maintain healthy skin in the long run. In our Genetic Skin Types series, we’ll be taking a closer look at the most common skin types and how to build your healthy skin routine accordingly.

If you have dry skin, you probably know it: If the rough, papery texture doesn’t tip you off, then the flakiness or redness might. And in winter, moisturizer probably feels like a total must.

Without enough oil — the hallmark of dry skin — your skin sends up a series of SOS alerts, making it increasingly clear that it wants one thing and one thing only: moisture. 

The upside? The more moisture you give it, the happier it is. With that, here’s all you need to know about dry skin types.

What causes dry skin?

A dry skin type happens when skin just can’t retain water or moisture well on its own. Blame it on your dysfunctional sebaceous glands (bless them!), which can be genetic. As a result, “the skin produces less sebum than it should,” says NakedPoppy research scientist Marisa Plescia. “Because of this lack of sebum, dry skin lacks the necessary lipids, or oils, that it needs to retain water and build a protective shield against external factors.”

That’s kiiind of a big deal, since sebum acts as a barrier for skin, helping to prevent transepidermal water loss (a.k.a. the natural evaporation of water from skin) and acting as a lubricant for skin. In fact, for those with dry skin, studies show that the rate of sebum production is less than half that of those with “normal” skin. [1]

And without that built-in protection of the sebum, “dry skin is more prone to inflammation, dehydration, and aging concerns, such as lines and wrinkles,” says NakedPoppy skin specialist Tara Parenti. But there’s a positive: Those with dry skin are less likely to be prone to breakouts, since sebum is a key player in zit formation.

Actual skin disorders that impact the skin barrier, such as eczema and psoriasis or a lack of the natural moisturizing factors (NMF) of the skin, can also contribute to or even worsen dry skin.

What are the signs of dry skin?

If you have dry skin, it might feel tight, lack elasticity, look dull or flaky, or appear rough and blotchy.  Not to pile on, but you might also experience itchiness or redness, too, as well as sensitivity — dry skin tends to be more sensitive to allergies. Not only that, but “pores appear to be very constricted,” says Parenti. (This is actually a good thing, as it implies tiny-looking pores.) 

If that sounds discouraging, don’t worry: These aren’t necessarily *bad* things. It’s just how your skin operates, and with the right TLC, you can easily balance it.

If your dryness is severe, it can lead to skin “cracking,” calluses, and roughness, says Plescia; a dermatologist is your best bet for this. “This often happens in more mature skin, as sebum production tends to lessen in more mature skin,” she says.

How to treat dry skin on face

We’ll start with the short version: “This skin is lacking protective lipids that protect and lubricate the skin,” says Parenti. But you can supply those protective lipids to skin by using formulas with emollients and occlusives. “Emollients — or, in other words, oils — contain lipids, such as fatty acids, which are part of the lipid matrix of the epidermis,” explains Plescia. “Emollients also act as occlusive agents, meaning that they coat the skin and act as a seal further preventing water loss.”

Ultimately, the more moisture, the better. “It is extremely important to keep up a good routine of daily — or more — moisturizing using a formula with humectants, emollients, and occlusive agents,” says Plescia. The same goes for the inside-out, too. “Keeping your body hydrated with drinking plenty of water and even using a humidifier, especially in those dry winter months, can also be extremely beneficial to dry skin,” she says.

That said, if your efforts don’t make a difference after a few weeks, consider seeing a pro for a firm diagnosis. “Since dry skin is a skin condition that can be caused and even exacerbated by more underlying skin conditions, such as eczema, psoriasis, or even diabetes, consult a dermatologist,” explains Plescia.

The ideal skincare routine for dry skin

The name of the game here is — you guessed it — moisture. If you do nothing else, these are your 3 key skincare steps:

• Cleanse: Start with an oil, milky, or creamy cleanser, which won’t strip the natural sebum that you do have. Try NakedPoppy Nourish Cream Cleanser, which actually replenishes oil as it cleanses skin. And a single wash at night should do the trick. “Dry skin type can go without morning cleansing,” says Parenti.
• Treat: Since, as we mentioned, dry skin is more prone to transepidermal water loss, your best bet is to let skin drink up a hydrating serum. “Ample humectants and anti-inflammatories will help to restore a dry skin barrier,” says Parenti. She’s a fan of Maya Chia The Optimist Face Essence, which, she says, “consists of humectants, amino acids, fatty acids and antioxidants.”
• Moisturize: Not just any moisturizer will cut it. Along with those emollients, “heavier-weight moisturizers and more occlusive oils or balms will help to fortify dry skin,” says Parenti. Fortunately, some oils, such as rosehip seed oil and sunflower oil, work as emollients and occlusives — which is why a facial oil, such as NakedPoppy Revitalize Organic Facial Oil, is such a good bet for dry skin.

If you’re looking for a full routine, look no further than the 3-min NakedPoppy assessment, which will automatically match you with the ideal skincare products for your skin type — dry skin included. The upside is that it’s not complicated: In simply replenishing moisture, you’re setting yourself for healthy, properly hydrated skin for years to come.

Get “shockingly accurate” clean beauty picks. Take your beauty assessment.

Shop the Story:

• NakedPoppy Nourish Cream Cleanser 💖
• Maya Chia The Optimist Face Essence ✨
• NakedPoppy Revitalize Organic Facial Oil🌹