Cleanser & Moisturizer for Dry Skin: A Dynamic Duo
Suffering from dry skin? It can be an uncomfortable and, at times, painful concern. Your dry skin may leave your skin feeling itchy and tight, cause redness, dry patches, and flaking, and may even lead to cracking and other skin damage.
To make matters more difficult, some unsuspecting skincare can contain ingredients that may make your dry skin worse. So, what do you do if you want to find relief?
If you’re tired of battling your dry skin, it’s time to find a skincare routine that’s scientifically formulated to benefit your skin. Read on to learn about which ingredients you should and shouldn’t use, the best cleansers and moisturizers for dry skin, and other essential additions to your dry skin care routine to help you restore hydration to your complexion.
- Cleanser & Moisturizer Ingredients to Look for If You Have Dry Skin
- Ingredients to Avoid If You Have Dry Skin
- Best Cleanser & Moisturizer for Dry Skin
- What If My Dry Skin Is Only Seasonal?
- How Often Should You Use Cleanser & Moisturizer If You Have Dry Skin?
- Other Essential Skincare for Dry Skin
- Tips for Maintaining Skin Hydration and Health
- Try Colorescience Cleanser & Moisturizer for Dry Skin
Cleanser & Moisturizer Ingredients to Look for If You Have Dry Skin
Has chronic dryness left your skin feeling itchy, tight, and uncomfortable? It’s time to switch up your skincare routine by incorporating hydrating and nourishing ingredients. The best cleansers and moisturizers for dry skin contain a few key ingredients that combat dryness for your most hydrated skin yet.
Look for skincare solutions that contain ingredients like:
- Snow mushroom: This translucent, jelly-like mushroom has been used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine for immune health and skin care. Its ability to hydrate skin is similar to skincare powerhouse hyaluronic acid. Plus, it helps prevent moisture from leaving your skin too.
- Lactobacillus ferment: A soothing, protective, and hydrating “good” bacteria. Lactobacillus ferment contains vitamins and minerals that boost skin’s hydration and nourishment while soothing sensitive skin.
- Squalane: A derivative of squalene, a hydrating lipid naturally produced by your body. Squalane mimics squalene’s hydrating effects and traps moisture in your skin.
- Prickly pear: The oil of a cactus fruit that’s full of minerals like magnesium and potassium, which nourish, hydrate, and protect your skin.
- Pink pomelo extract: Grapefruit extract can help slough off dry skin cells to reveal brighter, healthier skin.
Introducing ingredients like these into your skincare routine can help to improve your skin’s hydration and its natural barrier.

Ingredients to Avoid If You Have Dry Skin
Now that you know what to look for, we should go over what to avoid. Many common skincare ingredients can dry your skin further, contributing to further discomfort. Some also worsen irritation, compounding your skincare concerns.
If you have dry skin, you may want to avoid products with ingredients like:
- Alcohol: Alcohols are common ingredients in face washes and moisturizers to reduce the appearance of oil. However, they can be severely drying. If your skin is already on the dry side, further dehydration will only do harm.
- Salicylic acid: Another common ingredient in skincare for oily skin, salicylic acid can deeply penetrate the skin to exfoliate and reduce skin imperfection. However, it can be too drying and worsen redness and flaking. Instead, look for a more gentle exfoliant.
- Parabens: These common preservatives are used for their antimicrobial properties, but they’re best avoided. Not only are parabens skin irritants, but they may also increase the likelihood of sun damage to your skin.
- Sodium lauryl sulfate: This ingredient can further dry out already dehydrated skin by damaging the hydrolipidic layer, which is supposed to help maintain your skin’s hydration.
- Fragrances: While they may make your skincare smell nice, fragrances are best avoided if you have sensitive or dry skin. They can contribute to further redness, itching, and flaky dry patches.
Best Cleanser & Moisturizer for Dry Skin
For those with dry skin, there’s no better pairing than the Barrier Health Dream Duo, a cleanser and moisturizer from our coveted Barrier Pro™ Collection.
For many, dry skin is a result of a damaged skin barrier, the outer layer of your skin. The skin barrier plays a major role in your skin’s health: sealing in moisture, protecting against environmental damage, and protecting you from pathogens and harmful bacteria.
Barrier Pro™ Collection improves barrier health every day, helping you and the cycle of damage and repair to instead develop a strong and protective skin barrier.

The Barrier Health Dream Duo includes:
- Barrier Pro™ 1-Step Cleanser: There’s no need to double cleanse with this single-step cleanser that removes built-up debris, makeup, and even mineral sunscreen. Washing with Barrier Pro™ 1-Step Cleanser offers gentle exfoliation for a softer, smoother skin texture.
- Barrier Pro™ Essential Moisturizer: Replenish your freshly cleansed skin with our best face moisturizer for dry skin. Enjoy multi-layer hydration to nourish dry skin, resulting in a more vibrant, healthy, and youthful appearance.
There are many reasons we consider this duo the best cleanser and moisturizer for dry skin. In addition to boosting skin barrier health and breaking the cycle of damage and repair, the Barrier Health Dream Duo is:
- Fragrance-free
- Non-comedogenic
- Oil-free
- Hypoallergenic
What If My Dry Skin Is Only Seasonal?

If you find your skin is dry when it’s cold out, you’re not alone. Factors like cold air, wind, and low humidity indoors and out can contribute to dehydrated, red, flaky, and even cracked skin. If you suffer from seasonally dry skin, it may be recommended that you switch to a heavier moisturizer in the winter months and use a lighter-weight formula in the spring and summer.
However, that’s not necessary with Barrier Pro™ Essential Moisturizer as it’s made for year-round use, even for those who only suffer from dry skin seasonally. Its formula is rich enough to thoroughly hydrate your skin in the winter but light enough to remain breathable and comfortable in warmer months.
How Often Should You Use Cleanser & Moisturizer If You Have Dry Skin?
While everyone’s skin is different, it’s generally recommended to cleanse and moisturize twice each day: once in the morning and once at night. If twice-per-day cleansing and moisturizing hasn’t worked for you in the past, give the Barrier Health Dream Duo a try. It’s specifically formulated to be gentle enough to use twice each day.
Other Essential Skincare for Dry Skin
Looking for a complete routine to keep your complexion hydrated, nourished, and youthful all day long? These are some of our top recommendations for skincare for dry skin:
Total Protection® No-Show™ Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50
Total Protection® No-Show™ Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 is a totally sheer, all-mineral sunscreen that provides protection against UVA/UVB, HEV (blue) light, infrared light, free radicals, pollution, and more.
Enjoy nourishing antioxidants, soothing bisabolol, and hydrating silver ear mushroom extract to boost your skin barrier and hydrate and replenish your dry skin.
Pep Up® Collagen Boost Face & Neck Serum
Ideal for all skin types but especially beneficial for mature skin, this facial serum nourishes skin from the inside out. Pep Up® Collagen Boost Face & Neck Serum is clinically proven to enhance skin texture, a common problem for dry and flaky skin, and diminish the appearance of wrinkles for healthy and rejuvenated skin.
All Calm® Multi-Correction Serum
In addition to improved hydration and moisture retention, this serum’s soothing formula calms skin and helps the appearance of redness over time. Reap the benefits of silver ear mushroom and other revitalizing ingredients. All Calm® Multi-Correction Serum can be especially helpful for those with dry and sensitive skin.
Even Up® Multi-Correction Serum
This lightweight serum includes a time-release peptide that provides intense hydration as well as glycerine, which draws in, retains, and balances moisture in the skin. Even Up® Multi-Correction Serum also improves the appearance of dark spots and discoloration and skin texture for a more radiant complexion.

Tips for Maintaining Skin Hydration and Health
In addition to skincare solutions, it can be helpful to make lifestyle changes to support skin health and hydration. Follow these tips to maintain your skin hydration and health:
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water each day and limit dehydrating drinks like coffee.
- Eat a balanced diet: Consuming plenty of fruit can help improve your skin hydration and decrease transepidermal water loss.
- Avoid hot showers: While a steamy, hot shower may feel soothing at the moment, it can dehydrate your skin. Use cool water on your face and limit showers to 10 minutes max.
- Get plenty of sleep: During sleep, your body rebalances your skin’s moisture, contributing to proper hydration. Too little sleep can interfere with your skin’s repair cycle.
- Use a humidifier: If your skin gets drier in the winter, a humidifier can help by replenishing the moisture in the air.
Try Colorescience Cleanser & Moisturizer for Dry Skin
Managing dry skin requires a thoughtful approach that combines the right ingredients, effective products, and consistent care. By choosing a gentle cleanser and moisturizer packed with hydrating and nourishing ingredients like snow mushroom, squalane, and prickly pear, you can restore moisture and protect your skin’s barrier.
Whether your dryness is chronic or seasonal, incorporating a regimen tailored to your skin’s needs—like the Barrier Health Dream Duo—can make a noticeable difference. Don’t forget to complement your skincare routine with healthy lifestyle habits like staying hydrated, eating well, and using a humidifier to maintain hydration year-round.
With the right products and care, you can achieve smooth, healthy, and hydrated skin.