Skin Conditions
Dry skin treatment – stop patching, start repairing
You moisturize constantly, but your skin is dry again within an hour. The problem isn't how much cream you use – it's your barrier. Dry skin is skin that leaks, and the solution is about sealing from within.
Why does skin get dry?
Dry skin – xerosis – isn't just uncomfortable. It's a sign that the skin barrier isn't functioning properly. The outermost skin layer, the stratum corneum, should work like a brick wall of dead skin cells joined by lipids. When this wall has cracks, moisture escapes and irritants get in.
The cause can be genetic, but more often it's modern habits breaking down the barrier. Excessive washing with harsh cleansers strips natural oils. Central heating and dry indoor air suck out moisture. Aging reduces production of both sebum and natural moisturizing factors. Stress, poor sleep, and monotonous diets contribute from within.
The most common mistake is layering on more and more moisturizing products without addressing why the skin leaks. Hyaluronic acid binds water temporarily. Petrolatum creates an occlusive film. But neither repairs the barrier itself. A different strategy is needed.
Habits that lock in moisture
Shower shorter and cooler
Long, hot showers dissolve the lipids holding the skin barrier together. Five minutes max, lukewarm water. Your skin will thank you afterward.
Moisturize within three minutes of showering
There's a golden window after stepping out of the shower. Within three minutes, while skin is still damp, apply a barrier-protecting oil that locks in moisture.
Avoid SLS-based cleansers
Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) is effective at cleaning – but also at stripping skin. Switch to a mild, lipid-preserving cleanser that respects the barrier.
Increase indoor humidity
Central heating can drop humidity below 20 percent. A humidifier in the bedroom makes an enormous difference – aim for 40–60 percent.
Drink water, but don't expect miracles
Internal hydration matters for cell function, but it doesn't moisturize skin from the outside. Water takes a detour through the kidneys. Focus on the barrier at least as much as the water bottle.
Repair the barrier with natural lipids and cannabinoids
Your skin has its own mechanisms for regulating moisture balance, and the endocannabinoid system is a central part of that regulation. CBD and CBG support keratin production and lipid synthesis – the processes that build and maintain the barrier.
The DUO-kit combines The ONE with 10% CBD and I LOVE with 10% CBD plus 5% CBG. Together they deliver fatty acids and cannabinoids that the skin uses as building blocks. This isn't about applying a patch – it's about giving your skin the materials to repair itself.
DUO TA-DA offers an even more concentrated combination for extremely dry skin. Au Naturel Makeup Remover cleanses with MCT oil that preserves barrier lipids instead of dissolving them. A routine that respects your skin at every step.
Products we recommend
Save €34DUO kit
Two face oils, one for morning and one for evening. Simple skincare that works with your skin, not against it.
Save €60DUO kit + TA-DA Serum
The full routine in one: three products that help skin become calmer, stronger and more resilient.
Au Naturel Makeup Remover
A cleansing oil with MCT and CBD that removes makeup and buildup without stripping your skin bare.
Frequently asked questions
Are oils enough for dry skin, or do I need cream too?
Oils deliver lipids the barrier needs. Creams contain water that evaporates quickly. A good oil applied to damp skin often gives better results than thick creams on dry skin.
How quickly will I notice a difference?
Many find their skin feels softer and more cohesive within a few days. True barrier repair, however, takes 2–4 weeks of consistent use.
Can I use this year-round?
Absolutely. Dry skin needs support all year – not just in winter. Summer sun and salt water, autumn wind, and winter cold all stress the barrier in different ways.
Why doesn't regular moisturizer help?
Most moisturizers contain mostly water and temporary humectants. They relieve the symptom but don't repair the cause. The barrier needs lipids and signaling molecules – that's what we deliver.
Sources
- Byrd AL, Belkaid Y, Segre JA. The human skin microbiome. Nat Rev Microbiol 2018;16(3):143–155.
- Salem I, Ramser A, Isham N, Ghannoum MA. The Gut Microbiome as a Major Regulator of the Gut-Skin Axis. Front Microbiol 2018;9:1459.
- Lin TK, Zhong L, Santiago JL. Anti-Inflammatory and Skin Barrier Repair Effects of Topical Application of Some Plant Oils. Int J Mol Sci 2017;19(1):70.
Article reviewed by Christopher Genberg, founder of 1753 SKINCARE.
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