Moisturizer that actually works?!

[Anonymous]

Hey guys! I have incredibly dry skin and it seems like no matter what it's constantly dull and gross looking. I've been through hundreds of moisturizers in the past but nothing ever ACTUALLY moisturizes. I would be incredibly grateful for any recommendations whether its something I can buy at Sephora or anywhere else!

[faeriegirl]

@emarie01 DRUNK ELEPHANT - Lala Retro™ Whipped Creamand Drunk Elephant Protini™ Polypeptide Firming Refillable Moisturizer 1.69 oz/ 50 mLare both fantastic moisturizers.

[TheRealHeatherC]

My two favorites for dry skin are Drunk Elephant’s Lala Retro, and Dr. Jart+’s Ceramidin Cream. The latter is my #1 - so moisturizing and hydrating.

[Angie623]

I really love Belif products. I have always had dry skin but I have noticed a huge difference since switching to this brand. I had samples from Sephora and now I am hooked.

[WinglessOne]

Here’s what helps my dry skin: 

Use a non-drying cleanser - if your cleanser leaves your skin feeling dry, tight, or itchy (or any combo of those), try a different one. I normally use Origins Plantscription™ Anti-Aging Cleanser 5 oz/ 150 mL at night, after makeup removal and exfoliation. I recently tried Drunk Elephant Beste™ No. 9 Jelly Cleanser 5 oz/ 150 mL and like it enough to alternate with my usual cleanser, especially on nights when my skin’s been beat up by cold windy weather. On some mornings, if my face needs more than a water wash, I use an oil cleanser (ERNO LASZLO - Sensitive Cleansing Oil). 

Exfoliate regularly - almost every night, I use either Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel Pads 30 Treatments + 5 Bonus or FIRST AID BEAUTY - Facial Radiance Pads, depending on how much exfoliation my skin needs. When using the DDG peels, I stick with them for at least 2 weeks before switching to the FAB pads. Once a week, I replace chemical/acid exfoliation with physical exfoliation via my FOREO - LUNA™ mini 2. All this exfoliation keeps dead skin cells from flaking up my face. 

Hydrate before moisturizing - I don’t rely on a moisturizer for hydration. I use serums that contain hyaluronic acid (currently working through my trial of TARTE - Mermaid Skin™ Hyaluronic H2O Serumbefore trying another brand’s sample) before I apply moisturizer in the morning. At night, I use ESTéE LAUDER - Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex IIbefore applying moisturizer. Sometimes, if my skin seems to need an extra hydration boost, I apply May Coop Raw Sauce between cleanser/toner and serum. If you don’t do serums, try applying moisturizer to clean skin while it’s still damp. 

Moisturizers I use: 

  - Morning - DR. JART+ - Water Fuse Ultimate Hydro Gel, and I just started a trial of FIRST AID BEAUTY - Ultra Repair BarriAIR Cream(thanks again to Sephora for the gratis!). Both of these are lightweight enough for me during the day. Water Fuse has performed much better in cold weather than I thought it would. But if I need a seriously heavyweight moisturizer to combat rough weather, I use DRUNK ELEPHANT - Lala Retro™ Whipped Cream. 

  - Night - Youth To The People Superfood Air-Whip Lightweight Face Moisturizer with Hyaluronic Acid 2 oz / 59 mLis the perfect ending of my nighttime routine. Since I started using this last year, I haven’t woken up with dry skin. I also use KORA Organics Noni Glow Radiant Eye Oil .34 oz / 10 mLunder my eyes, since that’s the driest skin on my face. 

You may want to try using an oil all over your face: mix it with your moisturizer, or apply it alone. I’ve acquired several facial oils as samples and gratis, but haven’t used any of them on my face long enough to give an honest opinion of them. 

[dancendunks]

Try Drunk Elephant Lala Retro Whipped Cream. It worked amazing for me! 

[TrysBeautyItems]

@Anonymous What cleanser do you use? It could be contributing to the dryness. Do you exfoliate? If so, how often and which product.

A hydration serum or booster first then moisturizer will help. Also turn down the heat, hot water dries out the skin and hair. Also apply moisturizer to damp skin to lock in moisture. Run a humidifier as well.

[ReeLovesMakeup]

I started putting a humectant moisturizer on my wet skin right out of the shower (Hada Labo skin plumping gel cream or Neutrogena Hydraboost) and then letting that dry down and putting a occlusive moisturizer on top of that 1st layer. (CeraVe in the tub or Embroylisse are my faves) This has made a huge and noticeable difference for my dry skin. I learned this technique from a dermatologist that does videos on YouTube. Drdray She has great tips on skin care, efficacy of products, methods, and how to read ingredients labels. I highly recommend checking her skin care videos out. Good luck!

[octopusme]

@emarie01 You should try CHARLOTTE TILBURY - Charlotte's Magic Cream!It's an amazing moisturizer