Hold on! The urge may be to keep slathering on layer upon layer of thick, gloopy face creams, that way lies little more than breakouts, dull skin and a lot of empty pots.

When it comes to dry skin, particularly on your face, the trick is to play it smart with a clever skincare strategy. 

From the supplements that’ll give you a boost from the inside, to the ingredients you need to add to your product shelf, keep scrolling for the ultimate dry skin remedy.

Even if you're not typically prone to dry skin, it’s odds on you’re expecting to feel a little less supple once winter arrives. But what is it exactly that’s drying out our faces? There are many reasons why skin becomes dry, but fundamentally, it happens when the skin’s surface becomes aggravated and steadily dismantled. Genetics, environmental damage, your health and lifestyle factors can all have an impact on this. Since the skin on your face is inherently more sensitive, and also tends to be more exposed than the rest of your body, it’s all the more susceptible to these damaging factors.

When it comes lifestyle, winter habits are especially conducive to leaving your skin feeling like the Sahara. First up, there’s the fact that blasting the central heating can dry out the surrounding air, literally stealing your skin’s hydration. Alcohol also plays a big factor in dry and dehydrated skin - this is because it is a diuretic, so when you are drinking alcoholic beverages you will lose more water than normal by going to the toilet more frequently. As a result, your skin will appear dryer, duller, and fine lines and wrinkles will be more visible.” Who knew mulled wine came with a dark side? But fear not, there are things you can do ASAP.

During the cold weather, it’s extra important to keep your system as hydrated as possible. If you’re out for the evening, match each alcoholic drink with a glass of water to maintain your hydration levels. It can also help to keep a bowl of water near your radiators to help maintain humidity levels.

But beware of over-doing it at the skink. Over-cleansing can play havoc with your skin, stripping it of its natural oils and unbalancing pH levels. After cleansing your skin shouldn't feel tight; if it does this is a tell-tale sign you are overdoing it. To restore use a pH balanced cleanser and toner to protect the skin’s defence barrier, and skipping on cleansing brushes, harsh exfoliants, or loofahs, which can cause tiny tears in skin’s surface. If your skin is already dry and unsettled, you don't need any added damage in the mix.

For beautifully healthy skin use a gentle exfoliant, ideally an AHA, once or twice a week to help remove the surface layers of dead skin, and choose a moisturiser that contains lots of antioxidants to help rejuvenate cells without stripping your moisture levels. Hyaluronic acid is critical in maintaining skin hydration, as it turns your skin into a water-absorbing super sponge.”

AHA alcohol free exfoliator Monastery Made XX BUY HERE

Noto Botanics Moisturise Cream with Hyaluronic Acid BUY HERE

While an effective skincare routine is crucial to keeping your complexion balanced, it’s only part of the puzzle. What you’re putting into your body is also key. Depriving yourself of good fats such as oily fish and nuts can leave your feeling skin drier than usual, make sure you get lots of omega-3 in your diet, along with vitamin E which aids in daily repair and vitamin C, which is essential for healthy collagen formation.