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Top Tips for Dry Skin And What to Do When Your Skin Is Getting Drier

by Ané Auret 5 min read

Dropper applying serum for dry skin hydration

If Your Skin Feels Dry or is Getting Increasingly Drier

Dry, tight, uncomfortable skin can be more than just a surface issue—it’s often a signal that your skin barrier needs more support.

If you’ve noticed your skin is getting drier (especially during perimenopause or menopause), here are my personal go-to tips for increasing comfort, nourishment, and glow.


1. Adding a Face Oil

I know you’ve probably heard this so many times by now, but for changing skin that is getting increasingly drier, this is an easy place to start.

This is actually how Beauty by Ané Skincare started—I tried a face oil after years of avoiding it, it transformed my increasingly dry skin, and that is how Ané Glow in a Bottle Face Oil was born.

It’s also a relatively low-risk, high-reward addition to your routine—if for any reason your skin doesn’t love it, you can always use it on dry elbows, cuticles, hair ends—or even mixed into your body cream for added richness.

One of the reasons they work so well is that face oils—whether single plant oils or a blend like Glow in a Bottle—act as emollients. They help to soften the skin and seal in water, and support the skin with their rich fatty acid content, which is often exactly what dry skin needs.


2. Upgrade Your Moisturiser To Do More

If your current moisturiser doesn’t already include ceramides, plant oils like squalane, and cholesterol, it might be worth upgrading to one that does.

These ingredients mimic the key components of your skin barrier, and as oestrogen declines, so too does our natural production of these lipids. I’d also look out for Ectoin (great for skin stress and resilience) and ideally peptides for long-term skin support.

*** We’re making a fantastic moisturiser that includes all these components and more—I can't wait to share this with you, we're getting close!


3. Adjust Your Moisturiser or Serum's Texture At Home

You might start preferring a richer product texture overall.

This isn’t always about the active ingredients (like the ceramides and peptides mentioned above)—it often comes down to the functional ingredients used to create the skin feel, viscosity and “weight” of a product.

I don’t know about you, but isn’t that how we choose a product most of the time? If we don’t like the texture and feel of something, we’re not going to use it.

Texture is very subjective and can change depending on what your skin is going through. What feels light to me might feel rich to you (or vice versa), and that’s completely normal.

One way to easily increase the richness of your routine at home is to simply add a few drops of a face oil, like Glow in a Bottle, into your moisturiser or serum. I usually add 3–4 drops, and it just gives the product more spread and a more comforting feel on the skin.

(I also sometimes add a drop or two to my foundation, especially in winter. It gives such a beautiful, glowy finish.)

This is one way we work on the texture and richness of product in the lab—but here you can easily do it yourself.

Note: I don’t recommend adding face oil to your sunscreen, Retinoid, or any prescription products.


4. Using Your Cleansing Balm as a Mask

Another favourite of mine: leaving our beloved balm-to-oil cleanser—Radiance Reveal Cleansing Balm—on my skin for 10–15 minutes before rinsing.

I’ll do this in the evening while getting ready for bed or doing something else, and my skin always feels noticeably softer and more supple afterwards.

It’s a little bit of care that goes a long way.


🥑 Support Dry Skin From the Inside Out

Dry skin isn’t just about what you put on your face—it’s also about what’s happening beneath the surface.

Nutritional gaps, hormonal changes, and even low-grade inflammation can all contribute to skin that feels tight, flaky, or rough.

Here are some science-backed ways to nourish your skin from within:

🧈 Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs)

Your skin’s lipid barrier relies on fats—especially omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.

These help reduce inflammation and improve skin smoothness and hydration.

  • What to eat: Oily fish (like salmon and sardines), flaxseeds, chia seeds, walnuts, avocado. 

  • Supplements to try: Fish oil, krill oil, or algal oil (plant-based) with EPA/DHA.

🧬 Ceramide-Rich Foods & Supplements

Ceramides form over 50% of your skin’s barrier lipids—but levels drop with age.

  • Eat more: Brown rice, sweet potatoes, soy, beets.

  • Consider: Oral phytoceramide supplements (from rice or wheat extract), shown to improve hydration and elasticity after 4–6 weeks.

💧 Hydration with Electrolytes

Dry skin often goes hand-in-hand with dehydration.

  • Tip: Don’t just drink more water—add electrolytes (like magnesium, potassium, and sodium) to improve water retention in your tissues.

🌿 Skin-Nourishing Nutrients

  • Vitamin E – Protects skin lipids from oxidation (almonds, avocados, sunflower seeds).

  • MSM (methylsulfonylmethane) – Sulphur-rich compound that supports barrier repair and collagen.

  • Vitamin C & Glycine – Critical cofactors for collagen and healthy skin structure.

  • Zinc & B Vitamins – Help reduce inflammation and maintain healthy oil production.


🔬 The Science Behind “Adding Lipids to the Skin”

This is a question I get a lot: “How do I actually add lipids to my skin?” Let’s break it down.

What Are Lipids?

Lipids are natural fats in your skin that help form the barrier layer—your skin’s defence against the outside world. The three main types are:

  • Ceramides

  • Cholesterol

  • Free fatty acids

Together, they make up the lipid matrix, which keeps moisture in and irritants out.

You can click here to read all about your Skin Lipid Barrier and How To Care, Repair and Protect Your Skin Lipid Barrier 

Why Does It Matter?

As we get older—and especially during perimenopause—our skin makes fewer lipids. This leads to:

  • Dryness and rough texture

  • Flakiness and itchiness

  • Increased sensitivity and redness

How Can I Replenish Lipids?

  • Topical skincare: Use moisturisers and face oils rich in:

    • Ceramides (skin-identical)

    • Phytosterols (from plant oils)

    • Cholesterol 

    • Omega-rich oils like jojoba, macadamia, and squalane

  • Look for formulations that mimic skin’s own lipid structure—ideally in the 3:1:1 ratio of ceramides:cholesterol:fatty acids, as this has been shown to best support barrier recovery.

  • Face oils, like Glow in a Bottle, don’t “replace” lipids in a strict biological sense, but they help supplement what your skin is lacking, reinforce the outer layer, and prevent water loss.


Final Thoughts On Caring For Dry Skin 

Dry skin isn’t just about lack of water—it’s often a sign your skin needs more fatty (lipid) content. 

Whether through your face oil, a richer moisturiser, or through the foods you eat and supplements you take (or all of the above), the goal is the same: to rebuild your skin's resilience from the outside and inside.  

As I'm getting older I learn more and more that this is the best approach and the days of me relying on only skincare products alone are long gone. 

One of the best parts of this more holistic inside-outside approach is that my whole body benefits, not just my skin. 

When you care for your skin with intention and consistency, it becomes less about fixing a problem—and more about building long-term strength and health for beautifully ageing and changing skin. 


 



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