Dry skin or xerosis is primarily due to reduced structural lipids and oil content in the stratum corneum — particularly ceramides, cholesterol, and free fatty acids — which causes a broken skin barrier and increases transepidermal water loss (TEWL). Dry skin can be caused by internal factors including genetics, hormones, ageing and certain health conditions and external factors which include the environment, product use, UV light and nutrition.

Dehydration occurs when the skin lacks water in both the epidermis and dermis, often secondary to a broken skin barrier. It can  be triggered by seasonal low humidity especially in Winter, overuse of cleansers and exfoliants, air travel, hormonal changes, use of incorrect skincare not providing the right amount of emollients.

These concerns then present as tightness, flaking, rough patches, scaling, itchiness and a dull or papery look. Makeup doesn’t sit well and skin often feels uncomfortable.

Primarily you must repair the broken skin barrier before any other products can be added into the routine. Otherwise they can cause irritation and make the skin condition worse.

STAGE 1: STRENGTHEN YOUR SKIN BARRIER

To start you must fix the Skin Barrier with  ceramides, cholesterol, triglycerides, ectoin, hyaluronates and humectants.

MORNING ROUTINE

Wash your face with warm water or an oil cleanser and dry.

Hyaluronate 0.9% Ectoin 2% Essence - use 5-6 drops onto dry skin as a first step and pat into skin. Use as much as needed to get your skin to feel wet and hydrated and soft. It will become less patchy and it will give a glow.

Ceramide Repair Balm - use after the essence as a barrier repair and a soothing balm.

NIGHT ROUTINE

Wash your face with a double cleanse of an oil cleanser followed by a very mild cleanser. If your skin is super dry then just use an oil cleanser to start.

Hyaluronate 0.9% Ectoin 2% Essence - use 5-6 drops onto dry skin as a first step and pat into skin. Use as much as needed to get your skin to feel wet and hydrated and soft. It will become less patchy and it will give a glow.

Ceramide Repair Balm - use after the essence's as a barrier repair and a soothing balm.

STAGE 2: THE IDEAL ROUTINE

After 2-4 weeks of Stage 1 and depending on what your skin condition was like at the start, you can slowly incorporate higher strength actives into your routine.

MORNING ROUTINE

Wash your face with warm water or an oil cleanser and dry.

Ascorbic Acid 15% Essence- long term benefits  of collagen stimulation, antioxidant protection, pigmentation control, and lipid preservation gives this the gold standard for dry and dehydrated skin. It has a pH of 3.9 and is acidic so it must be patch tested first and can be slowly added into your routine only if tolerated.

Hyaluronate 0.9% Ectoin 2% Essence - use 5-6 drops onto dry skin as a first step and pat into skin. Use as much as needed to get your skin to feel wet and hydrated and soft. It will become less patchy and it will give a glow.

Ceramide Repair Balm - use after the essence as a barrier repair and a soothing balm.

NIGHT ROUTINE

Wash your face with a double cleanse of an oil cleanser followed by a very mild cleanser. If your skin is super dry then just use an oil cleanser to start.

BHA 2% Exfoliant Essence - this is a chemical exfoliant so to start use a few drops only and patch test to see if it irritates. A very mild sting can occur on first use. It should not aggravate and wash off if it does. Use this exfoliant maybe every 3 nights and slowly build up to every 2nd night if your skin tolerates it.

OR

BHA 2% AHA 1% PHA 1% Exfoliant Essence - if your skin is able to tolerate a stronger exfoliant use a few drops to start and patch test to see if it irritates. A very mild sting can occur on first use. It should not aggravate and wash off if it does. Build up slowly from every 3 nights to every 2nd night. A triple strength exfoliant to keep dead skin cells from building up. If this is too potent you can use the BHA 2% Exfoliant Essence instead.

NOTE- when using on alternate nights, the other night is just the Hyaluronate Essence with the Balm as a skin cycling routine.

Hyaluronate 0.9% Ectoin 2% Essence - use 5-6 drops onto dry skin as a first step and pat into skin. Use as much as needed to get your skin to feel wet and hydrated and soft. It will become less patchy and it will give a glow.

Ceramide Repair Balm - use after the essence's as a barrier repair and a soothing balm

STAGE 1:

You’ll usually notice an improvement in hydration, smoothness, and comfort within just a few days of using products from the Barrier Repair routine, as they rapidly replenish surface lipids and water content.

However, full barrier restoration — where the skin’s lipid matrix and protective function are fully normalised typically takes around 3–4 weeks of consistent use.

STAGE 2:

Improved luminosity in 2–4 weeks and smoother texture and refined pores by 6–8 weeks. Firmer, brighter, more even skin with ongoing use.

NOTE if irritation occurs or any products do not suit your skin, always go back to STAGE 1: FIX YOUR SKIN BARRIER and continue for an additional 2-4 weeks before trying more active products again.
Skin is slow always to respond fully to treatments so please be patient.