Dry skin rarely needs more products — it needs the right order. Here is the four-step routine our formulators recommend for skin that feels tight after cleansing.
1. Cleanse without stripping
Use a pH-balanced gel cleanser in the evening. Lukewarm water is kinder than hot, and a full 30-second cleanse removes sunscreen without stripping the barrier.
2. Treat with a targeted serum
Apply vitamin C or a peptide serum to damp skin. Vitamin C works best at 10-15% and needs the full 8 weeks to show visible change. Give it time.
3. Seal with a barrier cream
Ceramides and cholesterol mimic what your skin already makes. Apply within 60 seconds of your serum so the ingredients layer properly.
4. Protect in the morning
Everything you do at night is undone by a single morning without SPF. A 0.1% retinal night cream without daily SPF 50 is a net loss.
Consistency beats intensity. A routine you keep for eight weeks outperforms an aggressive one you abandon in two.