Dry skin is a biological condition: reduced sebum production, naturally thinner lipid barrier and greater predisposition to trans-epidermal water loss. A moisturiser doesn't change this genetic structure — but the right moisturiser can functionally compensate for what skin doesn't natively produce. The key is understanding which ingredients do that work and making sure they're in the product at concentrations that matter.

The Three Ingredients That Define an Effective Dry Skin Moisturiser

Ceramides — Replenishing the Barrier Mortar

Dry skin has chronic ceramide depletion. A rich moisturiser without ceramides hydrates temporarily but doesn't address the structural cause of dryness. Plant-derived ceramides are structurally compatible with human ceramides and incorporate into the lipid barrier.

Shea Butter — Emollient + Anti-Inflammatory

Shea butter has a fatty acid profile (oleic, stearic, linoleic) very compatible with dry skin's natural lipids. It also contains triterpenes with documented anti-inflammatory properties — relevant because chronically dry skin frequently has associated subclinical inflammation.

Multi-Weight HA — Deep Hydration

High molecular weight HA creates a surface hydrating film; low molecular weight penetrates more deeply. For very dry skin, the combination of both hydration levels is more effective than a single molecular weight.

The Sequence That Maximises Hydration for Dry Skin

1. Very gentle cleanser (cream cleanser or low-pH gel)
2. HA serum in the morning (slightly damp skin)
3. Rich moisturiser with ceramides on top immediately
4. Mineral SPF (final morning step)
5. At night: active serum + Ceramide Night Cream as the last step