EVERYTHING I KNOW ABOUT DRY SKIN. WHICH IS A LOT.
I’ve had a rough time (sorry, can’t resist) with my skin ever since I can remember. Pregnancy? Makes it even worse. Adelaide’s famed crazy-dry climate doesn’t do me any favours either.
No matter! This ‘aint my first rodeo and I know the prods that will transform dry skin into a dewy complexion. Lets start with the ones I use all the time.
SOME OF MY FAVOURITES
ESTEE LAUDER ADVANCED NIGHT REPAIR
I’ve written about and given awards to this gem at pretty much every magazine I’ve ever worked on. It’s just so good.
Around 10 years ago I had broken out in this strange bumpy, dry rash and my bestie told me to try some of her ANR to fix it. It did. I was hooked. It’s been a long love affair and it’s the one product I rush out to buy as soon as I finish it. It has this wonderful light texture that is almost gel-like and it sinks in fast so you can apply whatever you want over the top without skin feeling heavy.
AVENE TOLERANCE EXTREME CREME
I’m a lover of all things Avene. I remember watching a show when I was younger that featured the thermal springs of a small village called Avene in Southern France and how the water could heal extreme skin conditions. They focused on a child with terrible eczema (I believe it was) who had travelled there to be treated by the water and it was downright inspiring. Over the years as a beauty editor, I’ve had the chance to try lots of Avene products which are all ACE for dry and sensitive skin types*. You could hardly go wrong, but my fave is the super duper rich Tolerance Creme. Think, instant relief for tight, itchy skin. And do yourself a favour and Google some of the case studies of skin that has been transformed by the Avene Laboratory in France. Incredible.
*I haven’t tried their acne range
Pic via Avene
GO-TO VERY USEFUL FACE CREAM 100ML (THE TUB)
Oooh this is very useful indeed! As dry types will know, the feel of a product is key. Personally, I love thick creams that don’t sink in too fast. I even like them just a tiny bit ‘tacky’ in texture. This is one of those. Extra thick without being heavy or greasy but still rich enough to a) nix all tightness in my skin and b) leave just a hint of the right kind of residue behind. Deeeelightful.
Pic via GO TO
OLE HENRIKSEN BANANA BRIGHT EYE CREME
Truth be told I’m not a big eye cream user. Never have been. But there is something about this one that just really floats my boat. I originally tried it because it was inspired by banana powder, a popular brightener used by makeup artists and also includes vitamin C. Who doesn’t want brighter eyes?! In actual fact it’s the creamy but easy-glide texture that really won me over. It may be an extra step but it’s an enjoyable one.
Pic via Sephora
DERMAVIDUALS SUUSMOON® LOTION N
This spray-on lotion is no joke. And has been one of the most significant products I have used on my dry skin. I was lucky enough to have a consultation with one of the founders of Dermaviduals recently and when she felt my skin, she was pretty intrigued. After cleansing she gently pulled at my skin with her fingertips and basically there wasn’t much (if any) ‘give’. She said this was pretty intense dryness and recommended the Lotion N to me. The milky liquid is very light, so light I was sceptical that it would do anything at all. But it did! It instantly soothes that crazy grippiness my skin has and it’s the first thing I apply right out of the shower. The bottle says it’s for dehydrated and acneic skin, so this could be a game-changer for any skin type.
Pic via Dermaviduals
JURLIQUE REPLENISHING CLEANSING LOTION AND NOURISHING CLEANSING OIL
I’ve spoken many times about my deep love for foaming cleansers. Typically a no-no for dry skin. Shame! I’m a rebel so I’ve always used them anyway after finding cream or oil cleansers leave too much residue on my skin. Until I found my ah-ha formulations in the new Jurlique cleansing range. I love both the lotion and oil cleansers. Who am I!? They leave my skin feeling soft, not sticky and are easy to wash off which many rich formulas are not. They’re just a textural delight and now that I have 4 minute showers, I really have to make the most of the precious time I have.
Pic via Jurlique
THE JOJOBA COMPANY AUSTRALIAN JOJOBA OIL
Parched skin should love oil, right? Not always. Some facial oils are heavy and greasy and no matter how dry the surface is, they just sit on top. Not this one. I find this oil light enough to really penetrate skin while still soothing it. I apply it after my serum and before moisturiser in cooler months or when my skin is particularly dry.
Pic via Nourished Life
PETER THOMAS ROTH UN-WRINKLE PEEL PADS
Truly dry skin needs to go easy on the heavy active ingredients. Or at least ease into them slowly. But many dermatologists and beauty therapists I’ve spoken to still recommend small amounts of AHAs like glycolic acid, to help exfoliate skin gently. Too much too soon can mess with the acid mantle of your skin which is why slow and steady wins this race. I use these wipes which include glycolic, salicylic, lactic, and linolenic Acids and do a quick swipe a couple of times a week after cleansing and before serum. This helps keeps dry flakiness at bay without stripping my skin of moisture. If you have extremely dry skin, chat to your local beauty therapist or even chemist before experimenting with AHAs.
Pic via Peter Thomas Roth
*If you can’t find these on shelves Sephora, I believe they are being discontinued. I also use the Peter Thomas Roth Pumpkin Enzyme Mask to gently exfoliate my skin once a week. The AHAs and pumpkin enzymes whisks away dry skin (I love when products tingle and this one does just a little!) leaving skin smooth without needing to scrub. A great replacement for the wipes.
Pic via Sephora
FENTY BEAUTY PRO FILT’R INSTANT RETOUCH PRIMER
You know how a lot of primers that have ‘dry’ finish, almost like a powdery feel on your finger tips? That’s my worst nightmare. Hate it. Lots of people love that it holds base in place, but when your skin resembles the Sahara, a dewy texture is way, way nicer. Hello FENTY primer. My goodness it’s good. Nice and thick but easy to apply and primes skin without leaving too much shine behind. When my skin is particularly dry, I apply a coat then add a squirt to my foundation too. It’s really no wonder I go through the bottles so fast.
Pic via Sephora
BOURJOIS HEALTHY MIX FOUNDATION
I bang on about this base a lot because it’s amazing how few foundations really cater to properly dry skin. I would know. I sat next to a beauty cupboard brimming with products for years and tried a lot. Sure there are tons of hydrating formulas out there and there are great foundations I use after seriously prepping my skin. But this is one that doesn’t require me to jump through a million skincare hoops first. The coverage is about medium, so freckles can still peek through (which I love for every-day) and it leaves a dewy sheen that looks healthy (surprise, surprise) not greasy.
Pic via Priceline
SLIP SILK PILLOWCASE
I’m not going to lie, I was reluctant to try a silk pillowcase. I’m a child of the 80’s and for some reason I went through a stage of using satin pillowcases. ICK. So slippery and synthetic. They would fall off my bed in the night and my hair would go static. So when silk pillowcases came out, all I could think about was my old shiny bed days. WHAT I FOOL I WAS. Silk is nothing like that! The Slip pillowcases are so, so soft and just the right amount of silky. Not slippery at all. And I really didn’t think I’d notice too much of a difference, but my skin is definitely less dry in the mornings and my hair (which is a real nightmare) is so much more manageable. It was such an easy swap to make. Kicking myself for not doing it sooner.
Pic via Slip
QUICK TIPS:
- Apply your serum or first skincare step while your skin is still damp. Even better, if you’re still in a steamy bathroom. The quicker the better!
- Don’t stick your face under the blasting hot shower head. Tepid is always best for the face. Truth: I do this but I know I shouldn’t.
- Hydrate. *Disclaimer!* I’ve had many a discussion about this with beauty experts and derms and it’s my belief that drinking water can’t ‘fix’ truly dry skin. BUT, of course drinking water is ESSENTIAL for our health and the healthier we are, the better chance our skin has. If your skin is actually just dehydrated, apparently drinking water can make a difference. So of course, drink all the water but don’t worry if thats not the miracle cure for your skin. Many will disagree with me here. Just my experience.
- You still need to exfoliate. In fact, if you have flaky dry skin then its key. Don’t choose abrasive granules, instead looking for a more gentle acid-based exfoliator or light granule and use just a couple of times a week to start.
- Don’t forget the sunscreen! NEVER forget sunscreen. Dry types may actually like to apply it, as SPF often gives a nice barrier and sheen to skin.
- Avoid heavily fragranced products if you can.
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DRY SKIN AND DEHYDRATED SKIN:
In a nutshell, dry skin (a skin type) is lacking oil, while dehydrated skin (a skin condition) needs more water or lipids in the upper most layers. And even oily skin types can have dehydrated skin. Anything from the sun to air con to choosing the wrong products can cause dehydration in the skin. If you’re finding that your skin looks dull, fine lines are more prominent or your face feels tight out of nowhere, it could be dehydration. Up your water intake and look for products that include hyaluronic acid which is an excellent water retainer in the skin, regardless of your skin type. Not noticing an improvement? You may be a true dry skin that is in need of more oil. I always recommend finding a great quality beauty therapist you can revisit as regularly as you can afford. They’ll be able to monitor your skin and it’s changes.
SOME INGREDIENTS TO LOOK FOR:
Hyaluronic acid – as mentioned above it really is the pinnacle for dryness. We all natural produce it naturally in our skin and the molecule can actually hold 1,000 times its weight in water within the cells of skin. Epic.
Ceramides – now these also naturally occur in our skin and are lipids (also known as fats) that live in the upper layers. They also prevent water loss, which is why ceramics are not just great for dry skin but also dehydrated skin too. They’ll help restore the skins barrier, protecting against environment aggressors and also prevent the signs of aging.
Glycolic acid – be careful with this one. Too much glycolic can mess with the naturally occurring acids in your skin, but just a touch will loosen up those dry skin cells sitting on the surface of your skin and will help sweep them away. This is especially handy if your skin gets flaky.
Plant-based squalene – another great ingredient that promotes moisture and elasticity and mimics our skins sebum. It also is great at balancing oil production, important for dry types but also acne-prone skin. You may also see the ingredient ‘squalane’ which is a lighter version that has been hydrogenated to give it stability (squalene is quick to oxidise.) BUT be informed about the kind of squalene used in products. It can come from shark liver which means the shark was commercially hunted.
PRODUCTS THAT ARE GETTING A GREAT WRAP:
I always have a list a mile long of products to try, but here are some that are getting lots of love online which I’ll be giving a go soon. If you’ve tried them, let me know on @alexisteasdale!
Summer Fridays Jet Lag Mask
IT Cosmetics Confidence In A Cream
Too Faced Dew You Full Coverage Foundation
The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5
Ultra Violette Supreme Screen and Queen Screen
*I’m not a dermatologist or a beauty therapist, just a woman who has written about beauty for 15 years. I’ve tried a lot of products and interviewed a lot of experts, so these are my opinions and the culmination of what I’ve been told by the best over the years.
THE TWENTY MINUTE FRIZZ FIGHTING TREATMENT – THAT WORKED!
A couple of months ago I was getting my hair blow-dried at Toni & Guy when I noticed a treatment on their menu called ‘Peptame’. It said it would reduce frizz but keep natural movement.
Um, yes please!
I have wavy hair, but it has a whole layer of fuzz on top that needs a lot of product to weigh down. Vexing.
With my interest piqued in the extreme, Toni & Guy Paddington invited me in to try the treatment. For full transparency, this is what my hair looks like when I air dry. Yikes, right?
Unlike full-strength keratin treatments that straighten and smooth (and can take quite a while to apply) this one only involved a shampoo, conditioning treatment and blow-dry! The shampoo is left in the hair for 20 minutes to work it’s magic. Come at me!
The brand says it uses ‘sun-kissed sugarcane peptides and glycolic acid which eliminate the need for including the harsh, damaging ingredients of other commonly used straightening treatments. Peptame’s carefully sourced and specially formulated ingredients work by penetrating the internal structure of the hair, rebuilding and restoring both the internal and external hair fibres.
Sounded good to me!
It certainly didn’t smell chemical-y and 20 minutes went by in a blink as I happily sat at the basin flicking through Insta to avoid falling asleep. Mums, you hear me right? Apparently the shampoo can tingle a bit thanks to the glycolic acid*, but I didn’t feel anything (same when I use glycolic on my skin.) If you get a lot of tingle when you use it in skincare, you might feel it more in this situation.
After the shampoo was rinsed out, a conditioning mask was applied for another few minutes. Talk about easy.
My hair was noticeably easier to brush after the shampoo – not totally easy mind you, my hair is next-level knotty – but I think normal hair types would really feel the difference.
After a blow-dry, it’s completely done! They recommend running a hot iron over it a couple of times if you want even more staying power, which is what my stylist Scotty did for me (pic at the top is me with my super straight, post-salon hair.)
I left it two days before I gave it a wash because a) gotta make the most of a blow dry and b) it just felt like it would last longer if I did.
And when I did, I air dried and… bye bye frizz! See below:
No fuzzy fly-aways! This is with absolutely no product in it. If I add a little serum it’ll look ‘done’ and it would take about 2 minutes with a hot tong to really make it look totally polished for going out. SO. HAPPY.
I got the silky smoothness of a keratin treatment, without the extra hours in the salon chair, and unlike full keratin, you can also:
*Colour your hair just before or after
*Wash it straight away
*Tie it hair up
Results are meant to last for 6-8 weeks and it doesn’t grow out. It just fades, which means you don’t have to worry about roots or rebooking on an exact date. Perfect for this lazy busy mum.
K, now off to flick my hair every time I pass a shop window.
I had my treatment done at Toni & Guy Paddington in NSW, (02) 9380 2299.
*How Intruiging – glycolic acid in haircare! I’m a big fan of the common AHA (Alpha Hydroxy Acid) in my skincare, which has the clever ability to break down the ‘glue’ that holds dead skin cells together and in turn, exfoliate the surface layer of skin. Not entirely sure what it is about the glycolic that assists in this treatment, but it’s a naturally derived acid, so If you’re a fan of a cleaner beauty approach, this treatment is one to look into.
THE ONLY FOUR BEAUTY PRODUCTS A NEW MUM NEEDS TO SURVIVE
Ahh remember the days when you had a beauty bag positively bursting with products – and all the time in the world to use them?
Then you had a baby. And that tiny little bundle of joy soaks up every minute of your day, leaving you with around 2.5 minutes of (LOL) ‘me time’.
Of that ‘me time’ there’s showering, eating and you know… life to prioritise, leaving that beauty bag collecting dust.
Rest assured that 2.5 minutes will expand to say, 7 minutes and maybe even (OMG) 30 minutes as the kids get bigger. Joy! But for now, all you need are these gems to make you feel alive again.
1.Dry shampoo
I mean, of COURSE you’re already across it, right? If you haven’t discovered the pure magic of dry shampoo you are going to love me so much you’ll name your next kid Alexis. Simply spray the ultra fine powder onto oily roots and ruffle with your finger tips. It will instantly absorb grease making unwashed hair look clean. Maybe even blow dried!
Fun fact: Klorane, the original dry shampoo developed in France, was actually created for new mums in hospital. SEE this is literally a mum-saver!
Try Klorane Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk
2. Concealer
Dark circles. Your new pals! But never fear, returning to the bright-eyed side is simple. Get thee a hardworking concealer, immediately. Here’s the thing, everyone thinks concealers are all equal. They’re NOT. No indeed. I am, a concealer connoisseur. I’ve tried them all. You want the extra strength kind. Try these guys and prepare for people to start saying ‘oh, the baby is sleeping through!’
Try: It Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye Concealer; Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer; Maybelline Superstay 24 Hour Concealer.
One of my all-time faves is Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage, but it wont be on sale in Australia for much longer, so stockpile while you can!
3. Mascara
The quickest slick will make you look about 456% more peppy. BUT don’t pick the full-whammy kind. No. That’ll look obvious and awks considering you’re barely wearing makeup. You need subtle, natural formulas that just whisk over lashes like a tint, without clumps.
Try Clinique Lash Power Flutter-To-Full Mascara – this one is actually customisable. You can twist for more product on the brush and a fuller look which makes it a great multi-tasker. Use the first setting for a natural look.
4. Cheek palette
I say a palette instead of just a bronzer or blush or highlighter because everyone’s skin tones are different. If you don’t have much time, the quickest dust of bronzer will quickly pep up sallow, tired skin. Got an extra 2 seconds? A swish of highlighter on the tops of your cheek bones, tip if your nose and temples will say ‘I’m alive!’ And if you have the luxury of 10 seconds, add an extra whisper of blush just on the apples (read: puffy bit) of your cheeks.
Try Nude by Nature Highlight Palette
BOOM. Hot mama.
PARTY PALETTES THAT BRING THE FUN, BUT NOT THE HANGOVER
Don’t have a glittering shadow set in your beauty bag? WHY ON EARTH NOT?! Get one, and thank us when your life is at least 40% more fun.
Too Faced Life’s A Festival Eye Shadow Palette, $61, mecca.com.au
Calling all Rainbow Brite fans! Aside from the packaging which in itself is enough to pep us right up, the mix of warm and cool tones make it versatile for all eye colours.
Sportsgirl All That Glitters Palette, $24.95, sportsgirl.com.au
A great way to add glitz to your everyday shadow shades. Press these over the top of your classic smokey eye, or create a seriously lit lid with just these gems.
Huda Beauty Desert Dusk Eyeshadow Palette, $95, sephora.com.au
It’s a cult palette for a reason! The pigment rich shades pack a serious punch, so a little goes a long way making it good value despite the price tag. Warm colours aren’t easy to wear, but if you start small and work your way up, you may just find this is the jewel of your beauty stash.
Garbo & Kelly Overnight Sensation Palette, $70, adorebeauty.com.au
A mix of really wearable shades as well as pops of party, you’ll be hitting pan on all of them before you know it. The aqua is especially magic, use it close to the roots of your lashes like a soft liner or build it up into a Mediterranean-inspired look that will make even your mates in Greece RN, jealous.