You’ve done nothing but sleep at night, but natural facial oils will continue to build up on your skin, and anything on your pillow will also stick to your face.

“Those with dry skin may not need to wash their faces with cleanser twice a day.” Dr. Brendan Campsays MD, FAAD, a double board-certified dermatologist. “Rinsing your face with water in the morning may be sufficient without causing your skin to become too dry. Overuse of a cleanser or oil-removing ingredients such as salicylic acid can strip the skin of oil and cause it to dry out.

However, if you need a full cleanse in the morning, Amin recommends a gentle cleanser in the morning and opt for something more lathering at night, “which removes sunscreen and gives you a fresh start with your nightly routine.” Be sure to avoid hot water, which can worsen dry skin While some skin types may benefit from using a post-wash toner, you can probably skip it if you have dry skin.

Exfoliating is a very important step in your skin care routine, it helps remove excess dead skin cells, especially if you have dry skin. This buildup of dead skin cells can cause acne, and even dehydrated skin can still cause acne. acne is a skin problem that deserves its own routine. When it comes to peeling, there are two types: chemical and physical. The former typically involves the use of acids to penetrate the skin to break down skin cells, while the latter uses a physical exfoliant as an abrasive to manually remove dead skin cells that you would otherwise see as flaking.

People with dry skin may benefit more from chemical exfoliators, as abrasion can irritate the skin and lead to increased sensitivity. If you’re going to use the physical exfoliation method, get something gentle, not like the harsh apricot scrubs you used as an acne-prone teenager. As Camp reiterates: “Use exfoliants with caution to avoid irritating the skin and exacerbating dryness,” as worsening dry skin can lead to eczema.

But after washing your face before If you’re moisturizing, consider using a serum. These are highly concentrated skin care products that give your face an extra boost of everything it needs. “Apply a hydrating serum, such as a hyaluronic acid serum, after washing to increase the penetration of moisturizing ingredients,” says Camp. You don’t need a lot of serum, usually just a drop or two, to get the full effect, and they really boost the effectiveness of other skincare products following your routine.

Dry skin needs moisture, so it makes sense that a moisturizer or facial lotion might be the most important step of the routine. Amin recommends using a “rich moisturizer,” which should contain emollients, occlusives, and humectants like hyaluronic acid and glycerin to increase skin moisture and plumpness. Anything too light, which is usually great for those with oily skin, may not do the trick. Provides the nutrition that dry skin needs. Plus, being odorless is key to preventing skin irritation.

Regardless of skin type, everyone with skin should use sunscreen. The sun, along with harmful UV rays, can dry out the skin and exacerbate dryness. A good sunscreen will also work as a second moisturizer, but whatever you choose, we’re glad you applied some SPF. Pro tip: Use a sunscreen after your moisturizer (this goes for your morning skincare routine) so it acts as the outermost barrier against UV rays when you’re exposed to sunlight.

While not necessary, sheet masks provide an extra boost of moisture to the skin and remind you to take a few minutes to sit back and enjoy your self-care routine. Hyaluronic acid is your friend, so find a sheet mask that puts some this good in your cup, because skin hydration is no joke.