Do you have dry skin? A skincare guide for dry and flaky skin

Posted by

Moonglow

26/05/2026

On 27/04/2026

How can we identify our skin type at home? The most accurate method is the tissue test

Wash your face with a gentle facial cleanser, without harsh surfactants. Pat your face dry with a towel and do not apply anything for 1 hour. After one hour, place a thin paper tissue on your face and press gently on different areas.

✨ Dry skin: no sebum marks remain on the tissue, the skin feels tight, and small areas of flaking may be visible.

✨ Oily skin: visible sebum marks appear across the entire surface of the tissue: forehead, nose, chin, and cheeks.

✨ Combination skin: sebum marks appear only in the T-zone: forehead, nose, and chin, while the cheeks remain clean or drier.

✨ Normal skin: very slight sebum marks appear or almost none at all. The skin feels comfortable, without dryness and without excessive shine.

Another method would be based on the skin’s appearance and characteristics.

🌙 Pore size: large, visible pores = oily or combination skin; small, barely visible pores = dry or normal skin

🌙 Texture: smooth and matte = normal skin; rough = dry skin; shiny = oily skin

🌙 Reaction to new products: frequent redness or itching = sensitive or dehydrated skin

Common mistakes when determining skin type

Confusing dehydration with dryness: dehydrated skin can also be oily
Mistaking seasonal changes for a change in skin type
Ignoring the influence of climate: in Moldova, the continental climate can affect the skin’s condition

Skin type can also be determined according to the modern Leslie Baumann classification, using skin analyzers available in MoonGlow stores in Chișinău.

Dry Skin: Causes, Tips, and Treatments

Problem: constant tightness, flaky skin, and the early appearance of fine expression lines.

The upper layer of dry skin contains 20–30% fewer lipids (ceramides, cholesterol, fatty acids) than normal skin. This affects the skin barrier function: transepidermal water loss (TEWL) increases, while the skin’s ability to retain moisture decreases. The result is chronic dehydration and increased sensitivity to irritating factors.

Internal factors:

Genetic predisposition (a lower number of sebaceous glands)
Hormonal changes (a decrease in estrogen levels after the age of 30)
Deficiency of omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins A and E

External factors:

Aggressive cleansing products containing SLS/SLES
Low air humidity (especially during winter, in Moldova)
Using hot water when washing the face
Overuse of acids and active ingredients

What should be avoided:

Denatured alcohol (Alcohol Denat.) — evaporates quickly and contributes to water loss from the skin
Aggressive surfactants — Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Sodium Laureth Sulfate
High concentrations of acids (AHA/BHA)
High concentrations of retinol; gradual introduction starting with 0.1–0.3% is recommended
Hot water, which can damage the lipid barrier

Routine Steps for Dry Skin Type

Cleanse the skin with a suitable cleansing oil and a gentle foam cleanser.
Exfoliation should be gentle, using enzyme powder or acid-based products.
Tone the skin to restore its pH after cleansing.
Use a nourishing toner-essence or apply toner in layers, using the “7-skin method”.
Introduce active ingredients, for example through serums or masks.

🌸 Hydrating ingredients (attract water into the skin):

Hyaluronic acid
Lactic acid
Urea
Arginine
Linoleic acid
Oleic acid
Glycerin
Beta-glucan
Phospholipids
Specialized complexes

🌸 Occlusive ingredients (seal in hydration):

Squalane
Oils: jojoba, argan, shea, macadamia, avocado
Ceramides
Cholesterol

🌸 Repairing agents:

Peptides
Panthenol (B5)

Restoring the microbiome, for example with a probiotic cream or the ingredients listed above.

Sun protection

A sufficient intake of water and healthy fats is recommended. As much as possible, excessive sun exposure and smoking should be avoided.

Common skincare mistakes:

Avoiding oils out of fear of a greasy shine, even though oils help restore the skin barrier.
Applying cream to dry skin; hydrating ingredients work better when applied to slightly damp skin.
Dry skin is more vulnerable to photoaging, which is why daily sun protection is recommended.

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How can we identify our skin type at home? The most accurate method is the tissue test

Another method would be based on the skin’s appearance and characteristics.

Dry Skin: Causes, Tips, and Treatments

Routine Steps for Dry Skin Type

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