Dry skin can be the bane of our lives. Not least because it's unpleasant, but also because we come into contact with a number of unavoidable factors on a daily basis that can make it even worse. Air conditioning and pollution, for starters. Then there's the fact winter means less moisture in the air which dehydrates our poor skin further.
But not to worry, help is at hand. When dryness strikes from face to feet, it's all about formulating a battle plan - and with that, gathering an arsenal of products that promise to help your skin retain moisture and stay pumped with hydration.
So whether you suffer from dry skin when the harsh winter weather hits, or tend to deal with it all year round, here's how to banish your parched complexion woes once and for all...
Make hyaluronic acid your BFFAny formulas that contain hyaluronic acid are a winner. You see, it has the ability to hold 1000 times its weight in water and in turn, is your knight in shining armour for alleviating dryness. Containing a pure from of hyaluronic acid, Indeed Labs Hydraluron, £24.99 at Boots, will leave you with nourished, plumped and thirst-quenched skin. The serum formula means you can apply it daily under your moisturiser for an added boost.
Opt for a rich face cream Dehydrated skin tends to instantly soak up thinner skincare textures like lotions, so slather on a decent dose of rich cream to insure your complexion has all it's yearning to drink up. Aveda Botanical Kinetics Intense Hydrating Rich Creme, £35 at Feel Unique, promises to instantly increase the moisture in your skin and help it stay there for 24 hours. We also love Bioeffect Daytime Cream, £55 at Selfridges, for its ability to restore moisture levels and totally rehydrate the most parched of complexions, fast.
Primped and primed The great thing about primer if you have dry skin, is that alongside adding another hydrating step into your skincare routine, it'll help perfectly prep your skin for makeup too. Dermalogica Hydrablur Primer, £38 at Dermalogica, contains a clever little thing call H2ORelease Complex, which is a combination of sodium hyaluronate, algin and trehalose. This trio work to optimise hydration levels while providing intense moisture that lasts throughout the day. We're hooked.
Choosing the right base... As with skincare, it makes a massive difference if you find a foundation to match your skin type. And for those with dry skin, Bobbi Brown have created the perfect hybrid concoction. Intensive Skin Serum Foudnation, £39 at John Lewis, fuses the skin-loving benefits of a super-charged serum with the flawless coverage of foundation - what's more, the inclusion of lychee in the formula promises your skin an added boost in much-needed moisture.
A night-time boostAn overnight mask is a great way to deeply hydrate your skin, as they're heavier than your regular ten minute mask. Clinque Moisture Surge Overnight Mask, £30 at Boots, protects your skin from dehydration and boosts its ability to retain moisture while you snooze.
Give your body some TLC Our limbs can be one of the hardest things to banish dry skin from. Gently sloughing off any dead skin will prep it for moisture, then try applying a decent coating of La Roche-Posay Lipikar Baume AP+, £12.50 at Boots, and working it into the skin. It ensures lasting hydration to leave your skin soothed and nourished.
