“Lately, my skin feels kind of dry…”
“Even though I apply lotion, it feels dry after a while.”
“Should I be using both milky lotion and cream?”

Have you ever felt these concerns?

There are various types of skincare products, such as lotions, milky lotions, creams, and serums.

Many people may be using them without actually knowing what makes them different or what they are for.

Actually, skincare isn’t about using a lot of expensive products.

The important thing is to understand the role of each and choose care that suits your skin.

I have worked in bridal hair and makeup and at beauty clinics, where I have encountered various skin concerns.

From that experience, I also feel the importance of understanding basic skincare.

This time, for those new to skincare, I will explain everything from the causes of dry skin to the roles of cosmetics and daily care methods in an easy-to-understand way.

If you are someone who thinks, “I don’t know where to start,” please be sure to read until the end.🌿

1. What exactly is dry skin?

Dry skin is a condition where the skin lacks moisture and sebum, making it difficult to retain hydration.

Healthy skin is equipped with a “barrier function” that prevents external irritation and keeps moisture from escaping from within the skin.

However, when this barrier function weakens, the skin loses moisture more easily, leading to dryness.

What changes occur in the skin when it is dry?

When you have dry skin, the following symptoms may appear.

  • Skin feels tight after washing

  • Cheeks and mouth area feel flaky

  • Skin looks like it is shedding powder

  • Makeup does not apply well

  • Skin becomes itchy or red

If your skin feels tight after some time has passed, even if it was fine right after washing, there is a possibility that your moisturizing is insufficient.

What are the main causes of dry skin?

There is not just one cause for dry skin.
For example, there are things like the following.

  • Dry air and the use of air conditioning

  • Over-washing or using cleansers with strong cleansing power

  • Washing your face with hot water

  • Friction from scrubbing the skin

  • Changes in sebum levels and moisturizing function due to aging

Also, due to seasonal changes or changes in your living environment, the cosmetics you have been using may no longer suit you.

To care for dry skin, it is important not only to moisturize but also to avoid stripping the skin of its moisture.

2. What is the difference between toner, emulsion, and cream?

There are many types of skincare products, but the first thing to know is the basic role of each.

Toner | Hydrating the skin

Toner is an item used to replenish moisture and hydrating ingredients to the skin.
It plays a role in moisturizing the skin after washing and softening the feeling of tightness caused by dryness.

There are various textures, from refreshing types to thicker, more moisturizing ones.

However, applying plenty of toner does not necessarily mean you have achieved sufficient hydration on its own.

Depending on your skin condition, combining it with emulsion or cream can make it easier to retain moisture.

Emulsion | Replenishing oil and maintaining moisture

Emulsion is a moisturizing item that contains a balanced mix of water and oil.

It plays a role in replenishing oil to the skin and supporting the prevention of moisture loss.

It is characterized by a more moisturizing feel than toner and is often lighter than cream.

“Toner alone leaves me dry, but I don’t like the stickiness of cream.”

For those people, emulsion can be easier to use.

Cream | Replenishing oil to prevent dryness

Like emulsion, cream is an item for maintaining skin moisture.

Generally, it contains more oil than emulsion and often has a richer, more moisturizing feel.

It is particularly useful for moisturizing areas prone to dryness, such as the cheeks and around the mouth.

However, you do not necessarily have to use both emulsion and cream.

It is important to choose based on the degree of your skin’s dryness and your preferred feel.

Some people find emulsion alone is enough, while others find they stay less dry when using cream.

Are serums and oils necessary?

Serums are items used when you want to incorporate ingredients tailored to specific skin concerns.

Some are intended for hydration, while others are products for various purposes such as spot prevention or firming care.

On the other hand, face oil is used to replenish oil and keep the skin soft.

However, oil alone cannot provide all the necessary hydration.

Just because you have dry skin does not mean you must add serums or oils; the priority is to first establish basic hydration.

Do not try to gather many items from the start;try incorporating what your skin needs.

3. Basic skincare for those concerned about dry skin

Now that you understand the role of each cosmetic product, I will introduce the order in which to actually use them.

Skincare has slightly different goals in the morning and at night.

Morning skincare routine

The goal in the morning is to remove sebum and dirt accumulated while sleeping and to protect the skin from daytime dryness and UV rays.

The basic order is as follows.

  1. Face wash

  2. Toner

  3. Emulsion or cream

  4. Sunscreen

If dryness is severe, refraining from using face wash in the morning and washing only with lukewarm water may suit you better.

However, since some people with excess sebum or specific skin conditions may need face wash, adjust it according to your own skin.

And one thing you don’t want to forget is sunscreen.

UV rays affect not only dark spots but also skin dryness and barrier function.

For those with dry skin, choosing a moisturizing sunscreen is also recommended.

Night skincare routine

The purpose of the evening routine is to remove makeup and dirt accumulated during the day, clean the skin, and moisturize it.

The basic order is as follows.

  1. Cleansing (on days you wear makeup)

  2. Face washing

  3. Lotion (toner)

  4. Emulsion or cream

Depending on the product used, cleansing and face washing can sometimes be done in one step.

It is important not to wash more than necessary.

Also, since skin loses moisture easily after washing, moisturize as soon as possible.

If you use lotion, layering emulsion or cream afterward makes it easier to retain moisture.

How to deal with areas that are severely dry?

Some people may find that “only my cheeks are dry” or “only the area around my mouth is flaky.”

In such cases, you can apply extra moisturizing cream to the areas that concern you.

You do not need to apply the same amount to your entire face.

If your T-zone tends to be oily but your cheeks are dry, adjusting the amount of moisturizer for each area is one method.

However, if you have redness, intense itching, or cracking, it may not be just dryness but possibly dermatitis, so please consult a dermatologist.

4. Three habits to review to prevent dry skin

When it comes to dry skin care, we tend to think about adding more cosmetic products.

However, casual daily habits can sometimes be the cause of dryness.

Here, we introduce three points you can review starting today.

① Do not rub your skin too hard when washing

Are you scrubbing your face hard in an attempt to thoroughly remove dirt?

Strong friction puts a burden on the skin and can damage its barrier function.

Make sure to lather your face wash properly or use a type that comes out as foam, and avoid rubbing your skin strongly.

When wiping off moisture with a towel, it is recommended to gently pat it dry.

② Do not wash your face with hot water

In cold seasons, you might feel like washing your face with hot water.

However, hot water can strip away the sebum necessary for your skin, which may worsen dryness.

Use lukewarm water that is not too hot for washing your face.

③ Do not forget to moisturize after washing your face

Skin after washing is in a state where it loses moisture easily.

Do not leave it for a long time; moisturize it.

“As soon as I get out of the bath, I do my skincare.”

Making this a daily habit makes it easier to continue without difficulty.

If you are busy and don’t have time to use many types of products, it is fine to care for your skin with fewer items, such as just a moisturizing cream.

What is important is not the number of items, but continuing to moisturize in a way that suits your skin.

5. How to choose cosmetics for dry skin?

Even if you know the types of cosmetics and how to use them, when you actually go to the store, there are so many types that you might get confused.

In such cases, try to keep the following three things in mind.

Focus on moisturizing ingredients

When choosing cosmetics for dry skin, try checking the moisturizing ingredients written on the package.

Representative ingredients include the following.

  • Ceramides: Ingredients that maintain skin moisture and support the barrier function

  • Hyaluronic acid: An ingredient that holds onto moisture and keeps skin hydrated

  • Glycerin: An ingredient that attracts moisture and hydrates the skin

  • Petroleum jelly: An ingredient that protects the skin surface and prevents moisture evaporation

These are commonly used in skincare products for dry skin.

However, just because a product contains many ingredients does not necessarily mean it is more effective.

The usage feel and moisturizing power also vary depending on the concentration and the overall formulation of the product.

There is no need to choose expensive skincare products

You might think, “I have to use expensive skincare products to improve my dry skin.”

However, a high price does not guarantee that a product will suit your skin.

There are affordable products that contain moisturizing ingredients and are easy to use.

In fact, it is important that the price is one you can comfortably afford to pay every day.

Instead of using small amounts of expensive skincare products, try to focus on using the right amount of a moisturizer that suits your skin.

Prioritize whether it suits your skin

Skincare products work differently for everyone.

Even products with high ratings in reviews may not necessarily suit your skin.

Especially if you are concerned about dryness or have sensitive skin, considering hypoallergenic products or those with minimal fragrance is one approach.

When starting a new skincare product, do not change several types at once; introduce them while observing how your skin reacts.

If you experience redness or stinging during use, please discontinue use.

Summary | Starting with the basics of dry skin care

In this article, we covered everything from the causes of dry skin to the differences between lotions, emulsions, and creams, as well as daily skincare methods.

Finally, let’s review the important points.

  • Dry skin is a state where the skin lacks moisture and sebum, making it difficult to retain hydration

  • Lotions replenish moisture and moisturizing ingredients, while emulsions and creams also replenish oils to maintain hydration

  • It is not necessary to use every type of skincare product

  • Be careful about friction during face washing and using hot water

  • It is more important to continue moisturizing with products that suit your skin than to use expensive ones

You don’t need to overthink skincare.

Start by learning the roles of the products you are currently using.

Dry skin care does not change dramatically overnight, but with small daily habits, you may find that dryness and tightness are alleviated.

Learn the care your skin needs and continue it without strain🌿

For those who want to know more about skincare that suits them

“I understand the basics of skincare, but are the products I’m currently using really necessary?”

For those of you who feel this way, I have written an article about my own experience reviewing my skincare routine.

I used to layer many different types of cosmetics, but I re-evaluated the role of each one and tried reducing the number of items I use.

I have summarized which items I actually reviewed and how I changed my skincare routine.

If you are interested, please take a look at this as well.

“Before buying expensive cosmetics. A skincare review notebook for busy people in their 30s”
https://note.com/sumire_skin/n/n20542fe26c27