Determining your skin type: dry skin

Is your skin dry as a desert day? Sick of hiding flaky patches under makeup? You’re not alone. Dry skin happens to people of all ages. It’s irritating and painful, but we’ve compiled a dry skin watch list that lists the common causes — and how to prevent them!

Before we dive in, we’ve got a creamy rich moisturizer designed by our derms to replenish dry skin with 6 deeply hydrating ingredients. Your skin will stay soft and protected all day (or night) long, thanks to 6 hydrating ingredients that smooth tiny cracks, add moisture, and keep that moisture locked in.

1. Hyaluronic acid: adds moisture to your skin by binding water from the environment. The secret to plump, hydrated, and youthful-looking skin (and can help with the appearance of wrinkles).
2. Glycerin: hydrates, softens, and protects skin.
3. Aloe: soothes and deeply moisturizes. Responsible for that glides-on-smooth feeling.
4. Shea butter: fills tiny cracks in the skin, making your skin feel soft (and the moisturizer feel creamy).
5. Squalane: a natural plant-based antioxidant that fights wrinkle-forming free radicals. It boosts other ingredients by helping them absorb better
6. Allantoin: a protective powerhouse that forms a barrier around skin to keep moisture locked in. Keeps you hydrated from wind, dry air, and injuries.

Whatever’s drying you out—whether your skin is dry by default, dried out by active ingredients that treat acne or signs of aging, or just dehydrated from cold/dry weather—our rich moisturizer is the perfect companion to your custom Curology cream. Get it in a package deal when you subscribe to the 3-piece set!

What’s "normal" skin?

To understand dry skin, let’s first dive into what makes “normal” skin soft, pliable, and pleasant to touch. The answer is a combination of water content and fat. Normal skin contains a healthy amount of both.

Curology’s cleanser and moisturizer are designed to work well for dry skin: the cleanser helps maintain your skin’s natural moisture barrier, and the moisturizer locks in that moisture while keeping your skin’s hydration levels balanced over time!

The most common culprits of dry skin reduce water content, lipid content (the building blocks of fat), or both.

The dry skin watch list

Acne care for dry skin

The big question: does dry skin cause acne?

Well, kind of.

While dry skin doesn’t directly cause acne, it can lower defenses and make skin more vulnerable to breakouts. Dry skin may become more easily irritated, or more vulnerable to invading bacteria. Dry, dead skin cells might also clog your pores. In general, dry skin makes acne care more difficult — which is why it’s important to have a professional at hand.

In general, here are tips for treating acne for dry skin:

• Ease into your Curology. Apply every other day, then slowly increase the frequency
• Wait 10–20 minutes after washing your face before applying medication. Applying it on damp skin means it gets absorbed more quickly, which can cause irritation. Skip the waiting once your skin adjusts.
• Try applying moisturizer first, then your Curology (it works just as well!)
• Dilute your Curology right before you apply it by mixing it with moisturizer in the palm of your hand

The last word

Dry skin is a battle that many of us fight. Remember you don’t fight alone! Arm yourself with what you’ve learned in this guide — and remember, if you’re a Curology member, your provider is there to fight the fight along with you.

Love,