Korean Skincare Routine for Dry and Sensitive Skin
Routine · Al Mahara · Updated 1 Nov 2026
Air-conditioned rooms and dry desert air can leave skin feeling tight, flaky or easily irritated. A routine for dry and sensitive skin is about doing less, more gently: mild cleansing, steady hydration and a moisturiser that stays put.
Advice below follows the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) on dry skin, moisturisers and testing products; sources are linked at the end.
Cleanse gently
The AAD advises a gentle cleanser for dry skin and warns against using so much that you see a thick lather. Wash with lukewarm water, keep it short and pat dry rather than rubbing.
Layer hydration on damp skin
The AAD recommends applying moisturiser while your skin is still damp. A hydrating toner or serum straight after cleansing is an easy way to do that.
- After cleansing, pat on a hydrating toner while your face is still slightly damp.
- Optional: a hydrating or soothing serum.
- Seal it in with your moisturiser.
Choose a richer moisturiser
According to the AAD, creams are thicker and more hydrating than lotions or gels, and ointments are the thickest of all. Dry skin usually does better with a cream, especially at night. Look for barrier-supporting ingredients such as ceramides and panthenol on the label.
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Sunscreen that doesn't dry you out
Dry skin often gets on well with creamy or serum-textured sunscreens. Whatever you choose, the AAD recommends broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher.
Test before you use
Sensitive skin reacts more easily, so test every new product first. The AAD suggests applying it to a small spot, such as the inside of your arm, twice a day for seven to ten days. If you have eczema, the AAD also advises choosing fragrance-free products.
Keep strong actives such as retinoids and acids to a minimum, and add only one new product at a time.
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Sources
Product facts are taken from these pages and our product listings. This is a product guide, not a personal review.