In short: a skin care routine for dehydrated skin adds water back and helps keep it in. With Repêchage Hydra Dew Pure, that means a gentle foaming cleanser, the Facial Essence Mist, the Moisturizing Lift Serum, the Facial Moisturizer in the morning and the Night Cream at night, with the Elixir Balm on extra dry patches and a broad-spectrum sunscreen every morning.

This guide sets out the routine step by step and the habits that help dry, dehydrated skin feel comfortable.

Dry, dehydrated, or both?

• Dry skin makes less oil. It feels tight and rough and can look flaky.
• Dehydrated skin is short of water. It can happen to any skin type, and it often looks dull, with fine lines that appear when skin is tired and fade when it is hydrated.

Hydra Dew Pure is made for dry, compromised skin, so it suits both: the mist and serum add water, and the moisturizer, night cream and balm help skin hold on to it.

Repêchage Hydra Dew Pure Gentle Foaming Cleanser

The Hydra Dew Pure routine

As needed:Hydra Dew Pure Elixir Balm on very dry patches of the face and neck, and on elbows, knees and feet.

How to use each step

• Cleanser: massage one or two pumps into the skin with upward and outward circular motions, remove with a cotton pad moistened with lukewarm water, then rinse. Morning and night. It can also remove eye makeup.
• Essence Mist: close your eyes and mist over the whole face. It can be used as a toner and through the day.
• Moisturizing Lift Serum: massage three or more drops into clean skin and let it absorb before your moisturizer or night cream.
• Eye Contour Cream: tap it around the eye area with your index or ring finger, morning and night.
• Facial Moisturizer: a fragrance-free daily cream for the face and neck, with mastic oil, Laminaria digitata seaweed, aloe vera, camellia seed oil and squalane.
• Night Cream: apply with upward and outward motions, and onto the décolleté if you like. It contains sodium hyaluronate and camellia japonica seed oil.

Start with the Hydra Dew Pure Starter Collection

The Hydra Dew Pure Starter Collection holds the cleanser, essence mist, facial moisturizer, night cream and eye contour cream in smaller sizes. Add the Moisturizing Lift Serum when you want an extra layer of hydration. See the full range on the Hydra Dew Pure page.

Repêchage Hydra Dew Pure Facial Essence Mist

Habits that help dry, dehydrated skin

• Lukewarm water only. Hot water strips the skin's oils.
• Apply on damp skin. Mist, then serum and moisturizer within a minute or two, to help hold water in.
• Exfoliate gently and rarely. Once a week at most, with a gentle product, and never on irritated skin.
• Mind the air. Heaters and air conditioning dry the air; a hydrating mist through the day helps.
• Sunscreen every morning. Dry skin still tans and develops dark spots.

For more on choosing creams through the colder months, read our guide to moisturizer for dry skin in winter. In the salon, the Hydra Dew Pure Moisturizing Lift Facial is a 60-minute professional treatment for dry, compromised skin; see the Signature Facial Treatments.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best skin care routine for dehydrated skin?

A gentle cleanser, a hydrating mist or toner, a hydrating serum, a moisturizer and a broad-spectrum sunscreen in the morning, with a richer cream at night. Apply each step to slightly damp skin.

Can oily skin be dehydrated?

Yes. Oily skin can lack water, which can make it feel tight and look dull. A hydrating mist and serum with a light moisturizer usually help.

How do I use the Hydra Dew Pure Moisturizing Lift Serum?

Massage three or more drops into clean skin, let it absorb, then follow with the Facial Moisturizer or Night Cream.

Can I use the Elixir Balm on my face?

Yes, on extra dry patches of the face and neck, as well as on elbows, knees and feet.

Is Hydra Dew Pure suitable for sensitive skin?

The Facial Moisturizer is fragrance-free and made for dry, compromised skin. As with any new product, patch test first and introduce one product at a time.

What is in the Hydra Dew Pure Starter Collection?

The Gentle Foaming Cleanser, Facial Essence Mist, Facial Moisturizer, Night Cream and Eye Contour Cream, in smaller sizes.

How quickly will my skin feel less dry?

Many people notice skin feels more comfortable within days of a consistent routine. Results vary, and dryness caused by a skin condition needs a dermatologist.

Do I need sunscreen if my skin is dry?

Yes. Finish every morning with a broad-spectrum sunscreen.

Sources and further reading

Further reading from dermatology organizations and published research:

• American Academy of Dermatology: Dermatologists' top tips for relieving dry skin
• Verdier-Sévrain S et al. Skin hydration: a review on its molecular mechanisms. J Cosmet Dermatol, 2007 (PubMed)
• American Academy of Dermatology: How to pick the right moisturizer for your skin

In short: a good moisturizer for dry skin in winter combines three kinds of ingredients: ones that draw water into the skin, ones that soften it, and ones that help hold that water in. Choose a richer cream than you use in summer, apply it to slightly damp skin straight after cleansing, and add a balm on very dry patches.

Keep washing water lukewarm and keep using sunscreen. This guide explains how to choose a moisturizer for dry skin and which Repêchage options suit which need.

Why skin gets drier in winter

In winter the air holds less moisture, and heaters and hot showers dry it further. Skin loses water to the air more easily, and the outer layer can feel tight, rough or flaky. In much of north India, the drop in humidity between October and February is easy to feel on the face, hands and heels.

Repêchage Hydra Dew Pure Facial Moisturizer

Dry or dehydrated?

• Dry skin makes less oil. It tends to feel tight and rough all year, and it often looks flaky in winter.
• Dehydrated skin lacks water. Any skin type can be dehydrated, including oily skin, and it often shows as dullness and fine, crisscross lines that come and go.

Many people are both in winter. A good winter routine adds water back with a mist or serum, then uses a moisturizer to soften the skin and help keep that water in.

What to look for in a moisturizer for dry skin

• Humectants such as hyaluronic acid, sodium hyaluronate, glycerin and sodium PCA draw water into the outer layer of the skin.
• Emollients such as squalane and plant oils soften rough skin and help it feel smooth.
• Richer textures such as creams and balms help reduce water loss from the surface, which matters most in dry air.
• Few irritants. If your skin is dry and sensitive, a fragrance-free formula is a sensible choice.

Cream, lotion or balm?

Repêchage moisturizers for dry skin

• Dry, compromised skin:Hydra Dew Pure Facial Moisturizer is a fragrance-free daily cream with mastic oil, Laminaria digitata seaweed, aloe vera, camellia seed oil and squalane. Use it morning and night, on its own or over a serum. At night you can switch to the Hydra Dew Pure Night Cream, with sodium hyaluronate and camellia japonica seed oil.
• Very dry patches:Hydra Dew Pure Elixir Balm is a rich balm for extra dry areas on the face, neck, elbows, knees and feet. Massage a small amount in wherever needed.
• Dry skin that wants a lighter feel:Hydro-Complex PFS Cream for Dry Skin is a whipped cream built on Repêchage's seaweed filtrate, made to absorb quickly without a heavy feel. It can be layered over C-Serum Seaweed Filtrate.
• Dry, mature skin:Vita Cura Triple Firming Cream is a rich daily cream for mature, dry skin, used on the face and throat twice a day.
• Dry and sensitive skin:Hydra 4 Day Protection Cream for Sensitive Skin is a lightweight, non-greasy cream with seaweed extracts and olive oil.

Browse them together in the Dry and Dehydrated Skin collection.

Repêchage Hydra Dew Pure Night Cream

How to apply moisturizer in winter

1. Cleanse with lukewarm water and a gentle cleanser that does not leave skin tight, such as Hydra Dew Pure Gentle Foaming Cleanser.
2. Mist with a hydrating spray such as Algo Mist, so the skin is slightly damp.
3. Apply your serum, if you use one.
4. Apply the moisturizer within a minute or two, while the skin is still slightly damp, with upward and outward strokes on the face and downward strokes on the neck.
5. In the morning, finish with a broad-spectrum sunscreen. Winter sun still causes tanning and dark spots.

Winter habits that help dry skin

• Keep showers short and warm rather than hot.
• Moisturize your hands after washing them; a hand cream such as Sea Spa Hand Cream is easy to keep on your desk.
• Moisturize your body straight after a shower with a cream such as Seaweed Body Cream.
• Exfoliate gently and less often; scrubbing dry, flaky skin can make it more irritated.
• If you use a heater, a bowl of water or a humidifier in the room can make the air less dry.

For a full evening routine, see our night skin care routine, and for dry skin from the Hydra Dew Pure range, our guide to the Hydra Dew Pure home regimen.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best moisturizer for dry skin in winter?

One that combines water-attracting ingredients such as hyaluronic acid with softening ones such as squalane or plant oils, in a cream rich enough for dry air. The right one depends on whether your skin is also sensitive, mature or prone to breakouts.

Should I use a different moisturizer in winter?

Many people with dry or normal skin move to a richer cream in winter, or add a balm at night. If your summer moisturizer still feels comfortable all day, you do not need to change it.

Is it better to apply moisturizer on wet or dry skin?

On slightly damp skin, within a minute or two of cleansing or misting. That helps hold the water in your skin.

How often should I moisturize dry skin in winter?

At least morning and night, and again during the day on any patches that feel tight. Hands usually need it after every wash.

Can oily skin be dry in winter?

Oily skin can become dehydrated in winter. A light, non-greasy moisturizer and a hydrating mist or serum usually help.

Do I need sunscreen in winter?

Yes. Winter sun still causes tanning and dark spots. Finish every morning with a broad-spectrum sunscreen.

Can I use a balm on my face?

Yes, on very dry patches or as a thin final layer at night. Hydra Dew Pure Elixir Balm is made for extra dry areas, including the face and neck.

Why is my skin still dry after moisturizing?

Common reasons are hot water, a harsh cleanser, applying moisturizer to completely dry skin, or a formula that is too light for winter. Adjust one thing at a time, and ask for a consultation if dryness, itching or redness continues.

Sources and further reading

Further reading from dermatology organizations and published research:

• American Academy of Dermatology: How to pick the right moisturizer for your skin
• American Academy of Dermatology: Your winter skin survival kit
• Draelos ZD et al. The science behind skin care: Moisturizers. J Cosmet Dermatol, 2018 (PubMed)