Having dry skin can be a challenge especially if you also have other concerns like uneven skin tone or age spots. Fortunately The Ordinary make a range of products for dry skin that target multiple skincare problems, and are available at affordable prices! This post lists the best products from The Ordinary for dry skin.
The Ordinary skincare products have been around since 2016, and are well known for their simple formulas and cheap prices. Some of their most popular products were designed to help address dry skin.
Many people confuse dry skin with dehydrated skin. The symptoms can be similar and to make it more confusing, it is possible to have both dry and dehydrated skin at the same time!
Very simply, dehydrated skin is a lack of water whereas dry skin is a lack of oil. The characteristics of dry skin include small pores, skin feeling tight, flakiness, and dullness.
This post addresses the causes of dryness, looks at which The Ordinary products are best for dry skin, and then recommends a skincare routine using The Ordinary for dry skin!
This post is all about how to use The Ordinary for dry skin
How to Use The Ordinary for Dry Skin
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What Causes Dry Skin?
Often dryness is causes by external factors like the weather, dry air (e.g. from air conditioners), swimming, soaking in water or over washing. Using certain soaps or chemicals on your skin (such as acne creams) can also cause dryness.
The tendency to get dry skin can also be inherited. It’s estimated that around 10% of the population have a greater chance of developing eczema or dermatitis than the rest.
How to Get Rid of Dry Skin
There are ways to relieve the symptoms of dry skin including applying a moisturiser straight after washing. When looking for a good moisturiser for dry skin some good ingredients include:
- Jojoba oil
- Dimethicone
- Lactic acid
- Lanolin
- Shea butter
As well as applying moisturiser it is recommended to avoid using fragranced products and always wear gloves to protect your hands from cold weather.
How to Get Rid of Dry Skin Around Nose
The first signs of dryness on the face tend to be around the nose and mouth. Weather is a major factor in this as dry air and harsh winters can lead to dry skin on your face.
The best way to get rid of dry skin around the nose is to regularly apply creams and ointments to the area. Some of the products from The Ordinary recommended in this post would be perfect to use!
How to Use The Ordinary for Dry Skin
The following seven products from The Ordinary all contain ingredients which work to address the causes of dryness.
1. The Ordinary 100% Organic Cold-Pressed Rose Hip Seed Oil
Rosehip oil is rich in essential fatty acids including linoleic acid and linolenic acid. These fatty acids help to hydrate and moisturise skin that feels dry and tight. It is also easily absorbed into the skin and won’t leave any greasy residue on the surface.
The Ordinary’s formula contains only 100% rosehip oil. This is an excellent choice for mature skin since it helps to reduce fine lines and the signs of photo aging. Since rosehip oil is also naturally high in vitamin A and vitamin C, it also encourages skin cell renewal, which is something that slows down as we age.
If you have dry skin and also suffer from hyperpigmentation, dark marks and fine lines, rosehip seed oil would be an excellent choice.
- Some of its active ingredients: 100% Pure musk rose seed oil, cold pressed and organic.
- How to use: Morning and evening after serum.
- Presentation: 30 ml.
Last update on 2024-10-09 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
2. The Ordinary 100% Plant-Derived Squalane
Squalene is a lipid that’s found naturally in the skin but declines as we age. It helps to keep the skin moisturised, supple and elastic, and is excellent for all skin types. Since it’s non comedogenic, it would be fine to use if your skin is both dry and acne prone.
Squalane is a hydrogenated version of squalene, and is what is found in cosmetics since it doesn’t react with oxygen in the same way that squalene will.
The Ordinary’s formula contains only 100% squalane, and is designed to prevent the skin from loosing moisture and suppleness.
Regularly applying squalane to the skin strengthens the skin barrier, and helps to seal in moisture and hydration. It won’t cause redness or sensitivity so can be used on sensitive skin. This lightweight oil is an excellent option for all dry skin types to include in their daily routine.
- Boosts skin hydration, leaving it soft, smooth and supple
- A lightweight plant-derived solution to support healthy hydration
- Exhibits emollient properties, providing a silky and smooth texture upon application
Last update on 2024-10-09 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
3. The Ordinary 100% Organic Cold-Pressed Borage Seed Oil
Borage seed oil is a good choice if you have dry skin that’s prone to irritation. Borage seel oil helps to treat inflammation in skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, rosacea and dermatitis. It not only soothes dryness but also nourishes the skin, reduces redness and even calms acne.
Borage oil is a very lightweight oil so it won’t leave your face feeling greasy. It has a high concentration of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), linoleic acid, oleic acid, stearic acid and palmitic acid. These all help to maintain healthy skin and seal in moisture.
This would be a great choice if your skin has become dry and irritated from the use of chemical exfoliants or a retinol product. It helps to strengthen the skin’s moisture barrier, and improve skin feel.
- Treats dermatitis eczema & psoriasis
- Treats dry, damaged and scaly skin
- Rejuvenates skin whilst keeping the skin hydrated
Last update on 2024-10-09 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
4. The Ordinary 100% Organic Virgin Sea-Buckthorn Fruit Oil
Sea Buckthorn Fruit Oil has been shown in studies to help promote wound healing and stimulate skin regeneration. In one study which was conducted on rats, sea buckthorn oil was shown to speed up healing time when it was applied to broken skin.
Sea buckthorn oil was also shown in another study to have anti ageing effects on the skin, and increase skin suppleness and elasticity. There is also evidence that it can be used to help heal burns or ulcers.
The Ordinary Sea Buckthorn Fruit Oil helps to protect the skin from free radical damage and strengthen the skin’s natural barrier. The oil is rich in active ingredients (source) which nourish the skin and make it healthier and stronger.
- Cosmetic, cruelty free, moisturising and nutritious, organic, parapharmacy, vegan product, face...
Last update on 2024-10-08 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
5. The Ordinary “B” Oil
The Ordinary “B” Oil contains a blend of squalane along with a mixture of oils including Argan, marula, baobab, pataua, inca inchi, rosehip, brazil nut, and borage. These oils all work together to moisturise dry skin and enhance skin radiance. Since they are also rich in antioxidants they protect the skin from environmental stressors.
This would be a good choice for dry and ageing skin since it also helps to target fine lines, and protect the skin from further signs of ageing. With regular use the skin will become more supple and elastic, and fine lines will be smoothed out.
This oil absorbs well into the skin. It has a golden green colour due to the micro-algae in the formula, and a slight herbal smell. This was one of my favourite products from The Ordinary for dry skin, since it contains all the key ingredients for in depth hydration and moisture.
- facial hydration, irritated skin
Last update on 2024-10-09 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
6. The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser
Cleansers often strip moisture from the skin whilst cleaning. The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser, however, contains squalene and lipophilic esters that dissolve makeup and clean skin while ensuring it stays moisturized and supple.
The product feels a bit like a balm but turns into an oil-like consistency when you rub it in your hands. The product is soap free and non comedogenic and works well to remove makeup and dirt without leaving the skin dry or tight.
This cleanser can be used on all dry skin types. For the best results, use it twice a day in the morning and evening to ensure skin is thoroughly clean.
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7. The Ordinary 100% Cold-Pressed Virgin Marula Oil
The Ordinary 100% Cold-Pressed Virgin Marula Oil is made from pure African marula oil. It is a lightweight oil that works well as a moisturizer for dry or ageing skin. It’s a great choice for smoothing oil stretch marks or fine lines, and also works to keep the skin moisturised and nourished.
This is a great skin care product if you have dry skin that appears dull. It feels like a very luxurious oil which hydrates the skin and helps to even out skin tone. It contains vitamin E and vitamin C which make the skin look more radiant.
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Ingredients that Could Cause Dryness
When building a skincare routine to combat dryness you should check you are not including skincare products that may be making the problem worse. The following ingredients may cause dryness in some skin types.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C (l-ascorbic acid) is an excellent skincare ingredient which stimulates the skin’s collagen production whilst protecting it from free radicals. It is also known to brighten the skin and reduce dark spots.
If you have sensitive skin however, or your skin type is prone to dryness you should be weary of using vitamin c products that are too strong.
Whilst vitamin C can help to combat many skin concerns, it can also cause skin irritation, redness and dryness. In particular be careful of applying too much vitamin C around the nose and nasolabial folds.
Salicylic Acid
Dry skin types should be careful about using salicylic acid too frequently. Salicylic acid is a beta-hydroxy acid which helps to it exfoliate the skin and unclog pores. It has antibacterial properties and is a common remedy for acne-prone skin.
This ingredient is better suited to people with oily skin. If you have dry skin, eczema, or sensitive skin, salicylic acid may be too harsh for you and lead to irritation. If you are using it to combat acne, try using it less frequently so the potential side effects are reduced.
Glycolic Acid
Glycolic acid is another ingredient which is useful for exfoliating the skin but can cause dryness. It is an alpha hydroxy acid which, like any chemical exfoliant can dry up the skin’s natural oils.
The Ordinary make a peeling solution which contains glycolic acid and other alpha and beta hydroxy acids to help smooth the skin. This may be useful for you if you have bumpy skin or are prone to blemishes but if you have dry skin you should use this ingredient with caution.
If you want to continue using glycolic acid in your skincare routine, to avoid dryness try using it less frequently, or use a small amount at a time.
Azelaic Acid
Azelic acid is another ingredient that is popular among acne sufferers but can also cause a dry face. It helps to reduce pimple and blackhead formation and kills the bacteria that causes acne. It also helps the skin to shed dead skin cells, and prevents pores from becoming clogged.
The Ordinary’s azelaic acid has become one of the brand’s favorite products and is well known in their skincare line. If you have sensitive skin however this ingredient can lead to dry patches. If you don’t apply enough moisture after using this ingredient the face can become dry and tight.
The Ordinary Skincare Routine for Dry Skin
If you want to create your entire skincare routine using The Ordinary, the following products are recommended for dry skin types.
Daily The Ordinary Products for Dry Skin
I would recommend using the following three products daily.
Last update on 2024-10-09 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Squalene Cleanser
The squalene cleanser is excellent for dry skin since it doesn’t strip the skin of it’s natural oils making the skin even more dry. In your The Ordinary skincare routine use the squalene cleanser twice a day, morning and evening.
Moisturiser
The best The Ordinary moisturiser for dry skin is the The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA. It’s a rich yet lightweight-feeling cream that rejuvenates the skin without causing blocked pores or irritation.
NMF (or Natural Moisturizing Factors) are elements that maintain the outer layer of the skin and keeps it hydrated. It contains 11 amino acids, fatty acids, phospholipids, triglycerides, glycerin, sodium PCA, ceramide precursors, urea, and sterols.
The addition of hyaluronic acid ensures users can lock in the moisture gleaned from the other elements. This means it’s great for skin that’s both dry and dehydrated.
Hyaluronic acid can hold as much as 1000x its own weight in water, making it one of the most effective ingredients for dehydrated skin.
Oil
Use the organic cold-pressed borage seed oil regularly, especially at night. This additional step will help relieve dry skin and replace the oil that dry skin has lost.
Weekly The Ordinary Products for Dry Skin
As well as using these three weekly products you should aim to incorporate the following at least once a week if your skin is dehydrated as well as dry.
The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5
Hyaluronic acid comes in many molecule sizes. The size of the molecules determines how deep the product can penetrate the skin.
The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 contains HA of all molecular weights — low, medium, and high. It also includes a higher-generation hyaluronic acid hybrid at a 2% concentration to ensure the product acts as deeply as possible. This negates the problem of extracting water from the skin to participate in short-term plumping.
The vitamin B5 integration works to enhance the skin’s surface hydration alongside the HA.
Additionally, hyaluronic acid noticeably plumps the skin and reduces the depth of wrinkles and fine lines.
- Hydration / *
- Hydration support formula with ultra-pure, vegan hyaluronic acid
- Lightweight serum provides powerful hydration with vitamin B5
Last update on 2024-10-09 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The Ordinary Lactic Acid 5% + Hyaluronic Acid
Lactic acid is a type of alpha-hydroxy acid that effectively exfoliates the skin. In high concentrations, lactic acid won’t produce the desired moisturizing effects. However, in the 5% concentration in this product, it offers mild exfoliation abilities to improve skin texture and comfort.
The Ordinary Lactic Acid 5% + Hyaluronic Acid serum is supported by a Tasmanian pepperberrry addition. This is known to reduce the symptoms brought on by skin sensitivity and inflammation. Since it is a natural ingredient and flowers in many colors, users should expect to see a slight hue change in the product from time to time.
The formula works to provide quick results. But users should ensure a high-factor sunscreen is used afterward to promote skin health and safety throughout the day.
Lactic acid and hyaluronic acid are both excellent for skin that’s both dry and dehydrated.
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The Ordinary Products to Use as Needed for Dry Skin
If you find your skin has become especially dry, sensitive and cracked then add the following to your routine as needed.
Last update on 2024-10-09 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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Related: How to Build a Skincare Routine Using The Ordinary
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This post was all about How to Use The Ordinary for Dry Skin
Thank you for reading my post about using The Ordinary for dry skin. If you have used any of the products in this post please leave me a comment and let me know how you got on. The Ordinary make affordable skincare products for all skin types. I’ll keep this post updated in case any new products for dry skin are released.