Tight, flaky, and itchy, this frustrating skin concern can be hard to ignore. Whether it affects you seasonally or year-round, curating a dedicated skincare routine for dry skin could provide some much-needed moisture and relief.
From enriching ingredients to nourishing textures, our step-by-step guide shows how small, thoughtful changes can help restore lasting comfort.
What Does Dry Skin Look Like?
Characterized by a lack of water in the skin, dryness may feel or appear tight, flaky, and scaly, leaving your base in need of moisture, comfort, and balance.
What Causes Dry Skin?
Dryness can surface for many reasons, including:
- Topical products
- Age
- Illness
- Environment – colder weather, indoor heating, air conditioning
- Excessive bathing
- Underlying skin conditions
It’s always a good idea to speak with a healthcare professional to make sure the issue isn’t linked to a medical concern.
The Best Skincare Routine for Dry Skin
Ready to give yourself a little extra care? Our easy, four-step regimen shows you how to hydrate the skin and keep it feeling comfortable.
Step One: Cleanse
The best dry skincare routine starts with giving your base a gentle reset.
A soothing cleanser could help lift away the day without adding to that tight, uncomfortable feeling. Creamy or balm-like textures are often a comforting choice, especially when they’re enriched with moisture-enhancing ingredients like glycerin.
Our No7 Restore & Renew Cleansing Lotion and No7 Derm Solutions Hydrating Cream Cleanser are designed with this in mind, offering a soft, lotion‑based wash that helps nourish while it cleans. The result? Skin that feels fresh, comforted, and ready for the next step.
Expert Tip: Applying a face mask from time to time, like our No7 Restore & Renew Face & Neck Multi Action Serum Boost Sheet Mask or No7 HydraLuminous+ Mask, may offer extra hydration after cleansing.
Step Two: Tone
Once your skin is clean, reach for a hydrating toner to help smooth and balance your base after cleansing.
Think of this step as adding a light veil of moisture that preps and primes for your serum and moisturizer.
Although toners often have a reputation for being packed with strong actives, there are plenty of gentle ones enriched with ingredients for dry skin like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and ceramides. These kinds of formulas may help to condition dryness and encourage soft, comfortable results.
Step Three : Apply a Hydrating Serum
In any skincare routine for dry skin, a hydrating serum is a must-have. When used consistently, it can help your surface appear dewy and glass-like.
Just like with toners, we recommend exploring options enriched with hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and glycerin to encourage suppleness.
Our No7 Future Renew Damage Reversal Serum includes some of these ingredients, with the addition of niacinamide and peptides to visibly repair and promote a moisturized, bouncy-looking base.
Step Four: Moisturize
Moisturizing dry skin is the final step that pulls your whole routine together, visibly smoothing the surface and sealing in the benefits of your previous products.
Richer creams with ingredients such as ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and shea butter may feel especially comforting when your skin needs extra nourishment.
Many formulas also include SPF, offering lightweight sun protection to help keep your complexion looking healthy.
For suppleness during the daytime, our No7 HydraLuminous+ Whipped Day Cream cocoons the skin in hydrating hyaluronic acid and barrier-supporting niacinamide. In the evening, the No7 HydraLuminous+ Night Gel boasts a silky, fast-absorbing blend that encourages a dewy, renewed appearance by morning.
FAQs
From ingredient advice to routine recommendations, here are your most common dry-skin questions answered in one place.
What’s The Best Skincare for Dry Skin?
The best skincare for dry skin works to replenish moisture and support the skin barrier at every step.
Opt for a gentle, cream-based cleanser and layer hydrating toners, serums, and creams to help minimize moisture loss throughout the day.
Adding a weekly face mask may provide extra care when skin feels particularly tight or uncomfortable.
What Are the Best Ingredients for Dry Skin?
A skincare routine for dry skin should be made up of hydrating ingredients.
Humectants such as glycerin and hyaluronic acid work to draw moisture into the skin, while ceramides support the skin barrier.
Emollients like shea butter visibly smooth and soften the surface, encouraging calm and comfort. encouraging calm and comfort.
What Is the Best Night-Time Skincare Routine for Dry Skin?
A night skincare routine for dry skin should be focused on repair.
After cleansing, layer a hydrating toner or serum, then apply a richer night cream or balm to help seal in moisture while you sleep. You may even choose a thicker texture than you would in the day for added comfort.












