@Ava102 My entire skincare routine is focused on hydration and moisturization (plus inflammation/irritation soothing and hyperpigmentation lifting). 🙂 I have mostly-dry combo skin, so I use things that work well on all my dry zones and the oil slick in the middle of my face. I make sure my skincare products contain hydrating and moisturizing ingredients like hyaluronic acid (and its salt form, sodium hyaluronate), various forms of PCA, avocado oil, trehalose, squalane, urea, glycerin, algae , lactobacillus ferment (an ingredient I’ve only recently begun to explore), etc.
Here are the specific products in my routine that help my dry zones:
Spoiler Cleansers
Paula’s Choice RESIST Optimal Results Hydrating Cleanser in the morning. It’s a no-lather cream cleanser that gets the AM job done with no dryness. Paula’s Choice Hydralight Cleanser at night. It’s a very low-lather gel cleanser that never strips my dry zones while effectively removing my makeup and sunscreen. Toner/essence
I use e.l.f. Hydrating Water Essence day and night. It’s loaded with hydrating and moisturizing ingredients, plus niacinamide.
Serums
FARMACY - Very Cherry Bright 15% Clean Vitamin C Serum with Acerola Cherry for vitamin C plus 4 forms of hyaluronic acid, my skin’s favorite humectant. I use this every morning. THE ORDINARY - Buffet for a big boost of peptides plus hyaluronic acid. I use this at night, at least once a week. There are plenty of other serums specifically marketed as hydrating serums, including some hyaluronic acid serums. I do have Paula’s Choice Hyaluronic Acid Booster but rarely need to use it these days. I pull it out whenever my skin needs an extra dose of HA. It’s good for mixing into other skincare products.
Sheet masks
I could list several, but The OOZOO Bear Water-Bang Hydrating Mask is my favorite sheet mask for hydration.
Mists
YOUTH TO THE PEOPLE - Adaptogen Soothe + Hydrate Activated Mist with Reishi + Ashwagandha is my favorite thing to use after The Ordinary Buffet. These 2 products bear-hug each other on my face, creating a very hydrating and moisturizing effect. Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Ultra-Fine Mist 2.53 oz/ 75 mL is something I use more often as a body mist than face mist, mostly because it contains a lot of fragrance. But it does feel very hydrating on my face, and the scent is exactly like a watermelon Jolly Rancher which I enjoy. Plain ol’ water also works as a hydrator, of course. Moisturizers (creams and oils)
HERBIVORE - Emerald CBD + Adaptogens Deep Moisture Glow Oil has squalane listed as its first ingredient. This is my favorite facial oil: it’s very moisturizing and really helps my inflammation issues. All winter, I’ve layered it under the next item on my list for an extra moisturization boost in cold weather. Youth To The People Superfood Air-Whip Lightweight Face Moisturizer with Hyaluronic Acid 2 oz / 59 mL contains sodium hyaluronate and glycerin. This is my favorite cream moisturizer. I use it day and night, and it’s also my eye cream. It works great on my dry zones without swamping my oily zone.
Cleansers Paula’s Choice RESIST Optimal Results Hydrating Cleanser in the morning. It’s a no-lather cream cleanser that gets the AM job done with no dryness. Paula’s Choice Hydralight Cleanser at night. It’s a very low-lather gel cleanser that never strips my dry zones while effectively removing my makeup and sunscreen. Toner/essence I use e.l.f. Hydrating Water Essence day and night. It’s loaded with hydrating and moisturizing ingredients, plus niacinamide. Serums FARMACY - Very Cherry Bright 15% Clean Vitamin C Serum with Acerola Cherry for vitamin C plus 4 forms of hyaluronic acid, my skin’s favorite humectant. I use this every morning. THE ORDINARY - Buffet for a big boost of peptides plus hyaluronic acid. I use this at night, at least once a week. There are plenty of other serums specifically marketed as hydrating serums, including some hyaluronic acid serums. I do have Paula’s Choice Hyaluronic Acid Booster but rarely need to use it these days. I pull it out whenever my skin needs an extra dose of HA. It’s good for mixing into other skincare products. Sheet masks I could list several, but The OOZOO Bear Water-Bang Hydrating Mask is my favorite sheet mask for hydration. Mists YOUTH TO THE PEOPLE - Adaptogen Soothe + Hydrate Activated Mist with Reishi + Ashwagandha is my favorite thing to use after The Ordinary Buffet. These 2 products bear-hug each other on my face, creating a very hydrating and moisturizing effect. GLOW RECIPE - Watermelon Glow Ultra-Fine Mist is something I use more often as a body mist than face mist, mostly because it contains a lot of fragrance. But it does feel very hydrating on my face, and the scent is exactly like a watermelon Jolly Rancher which I enjoy. Plain ol’ water also works as a hydrator, of course. Moisturizers (creams and oils) HERBIVORE - Emerald CBD + Adaptogens Deep Moisture Glow Oil has squalane listed as its first ingredient. This is my favorite facial oil: it’s very moisturizing and really helps my inflammation issues. All winter, I’ve layered it under the next item on my list for an extra moisturization boost in cold weather. YOUTH TO THE PEOPLE - Superfood Air Whip Hyaluronic Acid Moisturizer contains sodium hyaluronate and glycerin. This is my favorite cream moisturizer. I use it day and night, and it’s also my eye cream. It works great on my dry zones without swamping my oily zone.