Choosing a Face Serum for Dry Skin: How to Analyze Ingredients

The right face serum can quickly transform your skin by targeting its needs with gentle nourishment. Discover ingredients to look for in a serum for dry skin. 

For those who suffer from dry skin, finding relief can be a daily struggle. Millions of people worldwide have to deal with it, but fortunately, it's often manageable.

There are different causes of dry skin, and the severity of it can vary greatly. For many people, maintaining a suitable skin care routine will help reduce the issue and may eliminate it. With that said, you need to take the right approach.

There are all kinds of products, such as moisturizers and face serums for dry skin, but they're not all the same. Many different ingredients are present in these products, and some can do more harm than good. Knowing what ingredients to look for will help you maintain your skin health.

In this guide, we'll go over some key face serum ingredients so you can find the right products for you. Keep reading for more.

What Is Dry Skin?

The skin has several layers, with the top one being the epidermis. It's a delicate barrier that protects your skin from the elements and keeps it hydrated. If this barrier loses moisture too quickly, it can result in dry skin.

Some of the most common symptoms of dry skin include:

• Itchiness
• Roughness
• Cracking
• Tightness
• Flakiness
• Scaling

Some people have dry skin all year round, but many suffer more during the colder months. A lack of humidity can also worsen symptoms.

Certain skin conditions, such as eczema, can resemble dry skin. It can be worth visiting a dermatologist if you're unsure so they can identify the issue.

Best Ingredients for Dry Skin

While all serums are designed to help improve your skin health, some will give you much better results than others. Things can vary from person to person, but in general, there are certain beauty ingredients that you should look out for.

Niacinamide

Niacinamide is a type of vitamin B3 that helps to hydrate and soothe the skin. It restores moisture to the skin barrier, which helps reduce flakiness.

It also helps reduce UV damage and other environmental impacts. As such, using it before a day out can be very beneficial. On top of this, it can brighten your skin, soften wrinkles, and shrink pores.

Vitamin B5 (Panthenol)

Panthenol is a common ingredient in many skin care products as it has proven very effective at improving skin health. The best way to reduce dry skin is to be able to hold moisture, and this is where panthenol excels.

It acts as both a humectant and emollient. This means that it helps soothe/moisturize your skin and encourages it to retain moisture. Additionally, it provides a degree of protection from pollution and UV rays.

Glycerin

Glycerin is another humectant. It helps pull moisture to the top layer of skin to further hydrate it. Glycerin can remain in the skin for long periods, which helps keep your skin moisturized for longer.

It protects against environmental aggressors like pollution. It can also act as an emollient, softening and smoothing the skin. On top of this, it's known to plump the skin, which can help you maintain a youthful appearance.

Hyaluronic Acid

Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring glycosaminoglycan that's found in the body. The highest concentrations are in the skin, eyes, and joint fluids. One of its most important characteristics is that it's great at retaining water.

With age, the skin tends to produce less hyaluronic acid. This speeds up the onset of dryness and wrinkles. It's found in various skin products and can hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water.

It improves hydration by drawing moisture to the outer skin layer. It can also help smooth rough patches and even out your skin tone.

Ceramides

Ceramides are a bit different from many other hydrating ingredients you'll find. They're fatty molecules and are essentially the building blocks of your skin.

They protect against environmental damage and reduce water loss. If you have any holes in these building locks, adding skin care products that contain ceramides will help rebuild the skin barrier.

Squalene

Squalane is an effective dry skin ingredient, particularly for winter skin. It's a natural ingredient derived from olives and sugar cane that hydrates and strengthens the skin without blocking your pores.

It's also a friend to oily skin, which is at the other end of the scale. This makes it an ideal ingredient for those who have combination skin.

Why Serums Are Beneficial

Various skin care products on the market can help treat dry skin, and serums are among the most effective. They're water-based, which helps hydrate your skin, and contain various other ingredients that help your skin hold on to this moisture.

The exact ingredients can vary between different products. Ideally, you should look for serums that contain the ones listed above. They're some of the best ingredients when it comes to both hydrating the skin and protecting it throughout the day.

Vitamin C serums can be ideal for helping with other issues. They help to brighten the skin and fade hyperpigmentation while offering UV protection.

With these serums, you can find both tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate and L-ascorbic products. The former tends to be less irritating and more hydrating than the latter, so it may be preferable.

A lot of people have both a morning and nighttime skin care routine, and serum can work well for both. In the morning, serum (along with other products) can help hydrate your skin and add a protective barrier. This will help prepare it for the elements and keep it flake-free throughout the day.

Your nighttime skin care routine helps remove dirt and oil that has built up throughout the day. Serum can repair the damage that has been done and replenish any lost moisture.

Face Serum for Dry Skin

If you're looking for face serum for dry skin, it's worth taking the time to look at the ingredients. You should go for a serum that's going to hydrate your skin and help it hold moisture. Ideally, you also want ingredients that provide other benefits, such as wrinkle reduction and protection from the elements.

Dermalogica is a leading supplier of all kinds of skin care products. We also offer professional-grade skin care education and services, and all of our products are cruelty-free and vegan-friendly. Take a look at the various serums we currently have available.