Dry skin is more than a lack of moisture — it’s a sign your moisture barrier isn’t doing its job. If your skin feels tight, flaky, itchy, or uncomfortable even after applying moisturizer, you’re not alone. Thousands struggle with dryness every winter, and the answer is usually the same: rebuild and support the barrier with the right skincare for dry skin.
This guide walks you through exactly how to fix dry skin using simple routines, science-backed ingredients, and esthetician-approved advice.
Dry skin happens when the barrier loses its ability to retain moisture.The top culprits include:
Your moisture barrier is made of lipids (fats) such as ceramides, fatty acids, and cholesterol. Without enough lipids, water escapes (this is called transepidermal water loss, or TEWL), leaving your skin dry no matter what you apply.
⭐ Step 1: Use a Gentle, Non-Stripping Cleanser
Harsh cleansers remove the oils your barrier desperately needs.
Look for:
✔ Cream cleansers
✔ Milk cleansers
✔ Low-foam gels
Avoid:
✘ Sulfates
✘ High-pH formulas
✘ Anything that leaves your skin “squeaky clean”
⭐ Step 2: Add Hydration Before Moisturizer
Dry skin needs water first, then oils.
Use:
Apply on damp skin for best results.
⭐ Step 3: Use a Barrier Repair Moisturizer
A barrier repair moisturizer helps replenish lost lipids and protect the skin from further moisture loss.
Ingredients to look for:
✔ Mango butter
✔ Cupuaçu butter
✔ Squalane
✔ Meadowfoam seed oil
✔ Ceramides
✔ Fatty acid–rich oils (macadamia, rice bran)
✔ Berry seed oils (cranberry, raspberry)
This is where a balm like Plain Jane becomes powerful — it seals in hydration and supports a healthy moisture barrier.
⭐ Step 4: Layer Oils or Balm as the Last Step
This locks in all previous hydration.
Perfect ingredients for skincare include:
Or use a well-formulated balm.
⭐ Step 5: Protect the Skin During the Day
Cold air + wind = barrier breakdown.
Use:
⭐ 1. Mango Butter
Softens dryness and gives long-lasting comfort.
⭐ 2. Cupuaçu Butter
Absorbs water and holds it on the skin, a natural humectant.
⭐ 3. Squalane
Lightweight, non-greasy, barrier-friendly oil.
⭐ 4. Meadowfoam Seed Oil
Helps prevent moisture loss and improves softness.
⭐ 5. Macadamia Oil
Rich in fatty acids similar to your own skin.
⭐ 6. Rice Bran Oil
Soothing, nourishing, gentle for sensitive skin.
⭐ 7. Berry Seed Oils
Cranberry and raspberry oils bring antioxidants and replenish dryness.
⭐ 8. Ceramides
Rebuild the barrier itself.
⭐ 9. Hyaluronic Acid + Glycerin
Bind water to the skin.
⭐ 10. Panthenol (Vitamin B5)
Reduces tightness and promotes softness.
⭐ Morning Routine for Dry Skin
⭐ Night Routine for Dry Skin
Add balm where you need it most:
Plain Jane was developed to support:
✔ Lipid replenishment
✔ Deep comfort
✔ A healthier-feeling moisture barrier
✔ Dry, tight, flaky, or winter-stressed skin
✔ Sensitive skin that reacts to fragrance or essential oils
👉 Plain Jane Barrier Repair Balm product page
Why does my skin stay dry even after moisturizing?
You’re probably hydrating without sealing in moisture. Your barrier isn’t holding water.
Is dry skin the same as dehydrated skin?
No — dry skin lacks oil, dehydrated skin lacks water. You can have both.
Should I exfoliate dry skin?
Sparingly. Only once a week with gentle formulas.
Can I use oil instead of moisturizer?
No. Oils do not hydrate; they seal hydration in.
Do I need a thick balm?
Not always — but in winter, most people benefit from one.
Skincare for dry skin doesn’t need to be complicated. When you focus on gentle cleansing, proper hydration, and a barrier-supporting moisturizer, your skin becomes softer, smoother, and more comfortable — even in winter.
If your barrier feels depleted, Plain Jane is an easy place to start. It’s fragrance-free, butter-rich, and full of the lipids dry skin loves.