Skincare for Dry Skin

Esthetician-Approved Routines & Barrier Repair

Dry, tight, flaky skin isn’t just uncomfortable… it’s your moisture barrier asking for help. As an esthetician and skincare formulator, I’ve worked with thousands of clients who struggle with dryness year-round — and the solution is simpler than most people realize.

Today, you’ll learn exactly why your skin is dry, the ingredients that actually work, and how to build a simple routine that restores deep moisture without irritation.

No complicated 12-step routines. No guessing.
Just real, evidence-based skincare guidance you can use today.

What Causes Dry Skin?

Dry skin happens when your moisture barrier can’t hold onto water or lipids. Here are the most common reasons:

  • Low oil production
  • Barrier damage from harsh cleansers
  • Weather or indoor heating
  • Over-exfoliating
  • Aging and reduced ceramides
  • Using products not meant for dry skin

Your goal is not to “add moisture”…
Your goal is to prevent moisture loss by restoring your barrier.

The Best Ingredients for Dry Skin 

Esthetician Picks

Your dry skin routine should focus on lipids, humectants, and barrier-support oils. These ingredients are the MVPs:

Butters

  • Mango butter – Softening + lightweight occlusion
  • Cupuacu butter – Holds 440% its weight in water
  • Macadamia butter – Rich in palmitoleic acid for aging skin

Carrier Oils

  • Meadowfoam oil – Locks in hydration
  • Rice bran oil – Vitamin E + barrier nourishment
  • Cranberry seed oil – Omega 3–6–9 balance
  • Squalane – Fast absorbing, barrier-supporting

Botanical Extracts

  • Kakadu plum – Brightening, antioxidant-rich
  • Repair oil complex – Helps improve barrier resilience

Your Simple Dry Skin Routine (Morning + Night)

⭐ Morning Routine

  1. Creamy cleanser (no foaming agents)
  2. Hydrating toner or essence
  3. Lightweight oil serum (squalane, raspberry oil blend)
  4. Barrier cream or balm
  5. SPF

🌙 Night Routine

  1. Gentle cleanse
  2. Hydrating layer (optional)
  3. Nourishing balm or balm-cream This is where Plain Jane™ or OG Balm™ fits perfectly
  4. Optional slugging with mango + cupuacu butter balms

Dry Skin Mistakes to Avoid

  • Using foaming cleansers
  • Over-exfoliating
  • Skipping moisturizer
  • Using the wrong oils (like astringent oils)
  • Avoiding balms because they “feel heavy”
  • Not sealing in hydration


Recommended Products for Dry Skin

Plain Jane™ Barrier Repair Balm

A fragrance-free, nutrient-dense balm designed specifically for dry, sensitive, or compromised skin.

OG Botanical Facial Balm

Your luxurious, ultra-nourishing balm packed with botanical lipids and esthetician-level actives.

When to See a Dermatologist

For cracking, bleeding, or persistent dryness that doesn’t improve with proper skincare.

More Resources

  • Best Oils for Dry Skin
  • How to Build a Dry Skin Routine
  • Winter Skincare for Dry Skin
  • Barrier Repair 101
  • Ingredient Library

Try Plain Jane™

Ultra-soothing repair balm. Fragrance-free. Esthetician formulated.
[Link to product page]

Ingredient Spotlight – Mango Butter

Why mango butter is a top-tier dry skin ingredient.
[Link to mango butter page]

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