Your Skin: The Unsung Hero
Before we zero in on dryness, let’s give your skin the spotlight it deserves. The Skin is the largest organ in your body, covering around 2 square meters and can weigh up to 4 kilos. It’s not just a pretty surface; it’s your first line of defense against the outside world.
It’s made up of 3 layers, the Hypodermis (the cushy base layer where fat is stored), the Dermis (the middle layer full of collagen and water) and the Epidermis (the thin outer layer, where your skin barrier lives and where most of your skincare efforts should be focused).
Your skin is a master multitasker—protecting, regulating, and signalling. But to do its job well, it needs a delicate balance of water and oils.
What Is Dry Skin, Really?
Dry skin, isn’t just a feeling—it’s a skin type. It means your skin lacks enough oil (sebum) and sometimes moisture, too. The result? Flakiness, redness, tightness, itchiness, and an increased risk of conditions like eczema, psoriasis, or dermatitis.
Common signs of dry skin:
- Dull or rough appearance
- Flaky or peeling patches
- Redness and irritation
- Tightness, especially after cleansing
- Itching or even cracking in severe cases
So, What Causes Dry Skin?
Let’s break this down into two categories: what’s happening inside you and what you’re doing to your skin.
Internal Factors:
These are things happening within your body that can cause or worsen dryness:
- Genetics (some of us are just born with fewer sebaceous glands) or predisposition to Skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis
- Hormonal changes (hormonal contraception or treatments, pregnancy and menopause)
- Dehydration and malnutrition
- Side effects from medications (especially topical steroids or radiation therapy)
External Factors:
A lot of what we do daily can make dry skin worse:
- Over-cleansing or using harsh soaps
- Hot showers or baths (we see you, steamy shower lovers)
- Not moisturising frequently or using a moisturiser not suited for your skin type
- Cold, windy weather or dry indoor heating
- Low humidity environments
- Contact with chemicals or irritants
If you’re guilty of taking long, hot showers and skipping moisturizer… yeah, that might be part of the problem.
The Science Behind the Flakes
The outermost part of the epidermis, called the stratum corneum, should ideally hold 10–30% water. When humidity drops or your skin barrier is damaged, water escapes into the air—a process known as trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL). This leads to dullness, flaking, and irritation.
Your skin also produces natural moisturizing factors (NMFs)—like amino acids, sugars, and urea—to help retain water. When these get depleted (due to harsh skincare, aging, or genetics), your skin can’t hold onto moisture the way it should.
Treating & Preventing Dry Skin: Your Glow-Up Plan
The key to healthy, hydrated skin is locking in moisture—especially at night, when your skin naturally loses more water. Here’s how to give your skin what it’s really craving:
Change Up Your Routine:
- Switch to lukewarm water when washing or bathing.
- Use gentle, fragrance-free cleansers that don’t strip your skin.
- Moisturize immediately after showering to trap in water.
- Use a humidifier if your home feels like a desert.
- Hydrate from the inside out—drink your water!
Look for Moisturizers With These Star Ingredients:
- Occlusives (seal in moisture): mineral oil, lanolin, petroleum jelly
- Emollients (smooth and soften): shea butter, ceramides, fatty acids
- Humectants (draw water in): urea, glycerin, hyaluronic acid, lactic acid
- Botanical oils: jojoba, almond, coconut, rosehip, tea tree, argan, avocado oil
Pro tip: Apply your moisturizer while your skin is still damp—it’s a game-changer.
If you’re lost and looking for ideas check out these products we’ve curated for dry skin types 😉
Body Goals
Indulge your skin with the Body Silk collection, expertly crafted to deliver deep, lasting hydration and reveal your skin’s natural glow. Whether you’re seeking daily moisture or intensive care, these formulas are packed with nourishing ingredients like glycerin, shea butter, and antioxidant-rich green tea extract to restore softness and comfort from head to toe.
The Body Silk Body Lotion is your go-to everyday hydrator: lightweight yet ultra-effective. With glycerin and shea butter to lock in moisture and strengthen the skin barrier, it absorbs instantly for a silky-smooth finish. Green tea extract adds a refreshing touch while protecting against environmental stressors, making it ideal for post-shower use or quick touch-ups throughout the day.
For deeper nourishment, the Body Silk Nourishing Body Butter delivers rich, restorative moisture with its velvety, fast-absorbing texture. Infused with avocado oil in addition to glycerin and shea butter, it soothes and revitalizes even the driest skin. Perfect for your nighttime ritual or cold-weather recovery, it leaves skin visibly softer, smoother, and radiantly healthy.
From daily hydration to targeted care, the Body Silk line wraps your skin in comfort—anytime, anywhere.
Facial Focus
Meet the Instant Rich collection, a high-performance face care line designed to hydrate, protect, and restore radiance to every skin type. Whether you’re battling dryness, dullness, or the effects of city life, these formulas deliver targeted nourishment and lasting comfort through powerful ingredients like glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and skin-loving antioxidants.
Start your routine with the Instant Rich Skin Perfect Serum, a lightweight yet deeply hydrating formula that balances oil control with moisture retention. Ideal for combination or dry skin with excess sebum, it blends glycerin and hyaluronic acid to refine pores, prep your skin for makeup, and leave you with a fresh, healthy glow without ever feeling dry or shiny.
Follow with the Instant Rich Extra-Nutrition Face Cream, a rich, comforting moisturizer that melts into dry or dehydrated skin. Packed with glycerin, shea butter, and hyaluronic acid, it delivers multi-level hydration while niacinamide boosts radiance and helps fortify the skin barrier. The result? Supple, luminous skin that stays smooth and comfortable all day or night.
For daily defense, the Instant Rich City Shield Day Cream (SPF 20) provides the perfect finishing touch. With its blend of hydrating agents and a plant-based antioxidant complex, it protects your skin from environmental stressors while locking in moisture. The added SPF 20 offers essential UV protection, ideal for life on the go in urban settings. Its velvety texture glides on smoothly, leaving your skin soft, radiant, and shielded from morning to evening. From deep hydration to daily protection, the Instant Rich face care lineup brings visible results and luxurious comfort to your skincare ritual.
Final Thoughts
Dry skin doesn’t have to be a lifelong battle. With the right understanding and a few tweaks to your skincare routine, you can restore that bounce, glow, and silky-smooth texture. Whether you’re dealing with winter-induced dryness or a naturally drier skin type, remember: moisturisation is your skin’s best friend. Now go forth and moisturize like your glow depends on it—because it kinda does!
Disclaimer: This article was written with the support of artificial intelligence (AI). However, all information presented is based on verified scientific sources and has been fact-checked and reviewed by the researchers on our team. We are committed to maintaining accuracy, credibility, and scientific integrity in all published content.