A 6-Step Evening Skincare Routine For Dry Skin

Already checked out our morning skincare routine for dry skin? Things get a little bit different when it comes to evening skincare… Now’s the time to really make the most of your overnight downtime and give your skin some serious TLC with the most nourishing ingredients you can find. This routine includes all the basics (cleansing and moisturising) with added extras that specifically help to both add moisture in and prevent moisture loss. 

Scroll down for a simple, easy-to-follow evening skincare routine for dry skin, featuring product recommendations and application tips. 

An evening cleanse is essential to prepare skin for your overnight products, but dry skin can easily be aggravated by overcleansing. Avoid gel and foam formulas and use a cleansing balm or oil which will gently melt away makeup, SPF, and impurities, leaving skin feeling calm and comfortable. Spend two to three minutes massaging it all over your face, then rinse it off using warm water and a clean flannel. 

Just as important in the evening as it is in the morning, your first hydration step gives your skin an extra surge of moisture before you apply your serums and moisturiser. Remember to avoid acid-based and fragrance-heavy toners and choose formulas that contain nourishing ingredients instead. 

Layering on a hyaluronic acid-based serum beneath your moisturiser is a smart move, especially when your skin is dry and/or dehydrated. Hyaluronic acid has the ability to draw moisture into the skin and prevent it from escaping. What’s more, each molecule can store up to 1000 times its weight in water so this maximises the hydrating benefits of your other products. Pat your serum onto damp skin, using your fingertips to gently press it in. 

At night time, you can go in a little heavier with your moisturiser as you don’t need to worry about your face looking shiny or about product absorbing quickly to apply makeup. Be generous with application and use a thicker, richer formula for night if you feel that your day cream isn’t quite enough. Avoid gel-textured formulas and instead use thick, dense creams that contain ingredients like oat lipids, ceramides, and silicones. 

If you have dry skin then chances are your eye area and lips will feel especially dry (the skin there is extra thin and delicate and therefore prone to dryness). Treat any dry patches to a major dose of hydration with a dedicated eye cream, a nourishing lip balm, or a multipurpose skin salve. 

This step is designed to act like a winter coat and seal in all the moisturising ingredients you’ve just spent ages applying. Some call it slugging, but it’s a technique that estheticians and dermatologists have always recommended, especially for dry skin. You’ll need to use an oil or balm – spend time massaging it in (you could even use a gua sha) to improve absorption and stimulate circulation.