In my opinion, dry skin is the most difficult skin type to deal with. Unlike other skin types, dry skin is the one that is most likely to suffer from premature aging, flakiness and irritation, and hard-to-treat inflammation such as eczema and psoriasis.
It’s also the one skin type that can worsen in all extreme weather conditions, hot and cold. For example, super hot weather also means much more sweat.
And because sweat is high in sodium, it ends up robbing your skin of some much-needed hydration and moisture. Thus, making your face incredibly dry.
On the other hand, winter conditions also rob your skin of moisture—just in a different way. Chapped lips, redness and irritation, and dry, flaky patches are only made worse when your skin comes in contact with harsh winds or cold rains and snow.
These conditions also make it pretty difficult to keep your skin moisturized and hydrated every day.
But like all of our most daunting skincare woes—there is a solution. In this case, there are actually 4 ingredients that’ll help you get your dry skin on track.
Squalene Extract
Found naturally in many different animals and plants, squalene is a hydrocarbon liquid that makes up about 11% of your skin’s natural oil.
When used for skin care products, squalene is typically extracted from shark liver. However, because the practice is seen as unethical by many, squalane is often used instead of squalene.
The key difference between the two is that squalane comes from ethical sources like olives or rice bran—and is equally as good as squalene, even though it’s a lighter consistency. This is the version you are most likely to find being used in skincare products.
When used over time, squalane is known to keep your skin moisturized for longer periods, erase fine lines and wrinkles, and reduce dry patches and inflammation.
Plus, it doesn’t ever oxidize, which means it has a pretty long shelf-life.
Recommendation: Emolliating Olive Squalane O7 for Most Skin Types
Murumuru Butter
Derived from murumuru nuts found in the Amazon, murumuru butter is a deeply moisturizing butter that is rich in fatty acids, making it effectively anti-inflammatory.
Murumuru butter is just like avocado oil or cocoa butter because it’s emollient. This means it works best when used to seal in the hydration from water or water-based products.
Because the consistency is so thick, murumuru butter isn’t the best option for dry skin that has an oily trouble zone or is acne-prone.
In fact, this butter is only ideal to use in small amounts and on days where your skin is especially dry and problematic.
Additionally, murumuru butter is not only for your face but your whole body. When bought in its purest form, it’s not mixed with other oils, butters, or fragrances—making it an ideal choice for skin that is not only dry but sensitive, as well.
Recommendation: Pure, Natural, and Unrefined Murumuru Butter by Oslove Organics
Safflower Oil
How you wash your face plays a big part in dominating and overcoming your skincare problems because choosing the wrong cleanser and moisturizer can leave you worse off than you started.
For dry skin, alternative methods such as oil cleansing will definitely start you off on the right foot; Especially if you’re using safflower oil.
Safflower oil is a must-have. It’s lightweight, rich in antioxidants, and is non-comedogenic, which means it’ll moisturize your skin without clogging your pores.
Like the aforementioned dry skin-friendly ingredients, safflower oil also has anti-inflammatory benefits.
The fact that it’s full of antioxidants should be noted because that means it pairs well with other potent antioxidants, like Vitamin C.
This means it’s a good choice for those of you who also struggle with hyperpigmentation and other forms of discoloration.
Recommendation: Life-flo, Pure Safflower Oil
Snail Mucin
Now, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to tell you that snail excretions might not be the first thing we reach for to soothe dry skin.
I mean, it’s slimy and it comes from a snail—clearly, it’s a bit gross to even think about. However, it has undeniable hydrating and moisturizing properties, so you already know it works wonders for chronically dry skin.
Snail mucin is made of ingredients that naturally repair and protect the skin, one of them being one of the best answers to anti-aging: glycolic acid. Glycolic acid boosts collagen in the skin—ultimately eliminating fine lines and wrinkles while producing new skin cells.
The best part?
It also soothes irritation! So rashes, dry patches, itchiness, and burning caused by preexisting skin conditions and harsh weather are readily soothed (and reduced!) through the regular use of products formulated with snail mucin.
Recommendation: COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence
Now that you’re hip to a few ingredients that’ll help your dry skin, which one are you ready to try? Let us know in the comments below.
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