My Skincare Routine for Dry Skin: The Products I Actually Use and Why
My Dry Skin Skincare Routine: Morning & Night
If you looked inside my skincare drawer, you’d probably think I have way too many products—and honestly, you’d probably be right. 😂
I love trying skincare, but over time I’ve learned that having more products doesn’t necessarily mean having a better routine. What matters more is figuring out what your skin actually needs, which products work well together, and which ones are worth reaching for again and again. My dry skin skincare routine has changed a lot over time, but I’ve finally figured out which products my skin consistently does well with.
My skin tends to lean dry, and because I also use tretinoin, keeping my skin hydrated and supporting my skin barrier are two of the biggest priorities in my routine.
So instead of giving you a complicated 12-step routine that I follow perfectly every day (because I definitely don’t), I wanted to share the products and steps I actually use, why I use them, and how I adjust my routine depending on what my skin needs.
**This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission if you make a purchase through my links, at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. I only share products I personally use, have tried, or genuinely recommend.**
My Skin Type & What I Look for in Skincare
Before getting into the products, I always think it’s helpful to know someone’s skin type because what works beautifully for one person may be completely wrong for someone else.
My skin tends to be dry, so hydration is a major focus for me. I also use tretinoin, which means I’m especially careful about keeping my skin barrier happy and avoiding the temptation to pile too many strong actives into the same routine.
When I’m choosing skincare, I tend to look for products that help with:
- Hydration
- Skin barrier support
- Gentle cleansing
- Brightening and overall skin appearance
- Products that layer well with the rest of my routine
- And, of course, daily sun protection
I love trying new things, but I’ve gotten much better about asking myself, What is this product actually doing in my routine?
And if I can’t answer that question, I probably don’t need another one. 😂
My Morning Skincare Routine
My morning skincare routine isn’t exactly the same every day. One of the biggest things I’ve learned from building my dry skin skincare routine is that consistency matters more than using a huge number of products.
Instead, I pay attention to how my skin feels—especially if I used tretinoin the night before. If my skin feels comfortable, I stick with my usual hydrating routine. If it feels dry, sensitive, or irritated, I simplify things and focus more on hydration and supporting my skin barrier.
Step 1: Cleanse — Prequel Gleanser
I usually start with Prequel Gleanser, a gentle cleanser that leaves my skin feeling clean without giving me that tight, stripped feeling afterward.
Because my skin tends to be dry—and especially because I use tretinoin—I try to avoid cleansers that make my skin feel squeaky clean. I want to cleanse my skin without removing every bit of moisture from it.
Why I use it: It’s gentle enough for my everyday routine and works well when my skin is feeling more sensitive, too.
Step 2: Hydrate — Medicube PDRN Pink Niacinamide Milky Toner
Next, I usually reach for the Medicube PDRN Pink Niacinamide Milky Toner.
I love using a milky toner in my routine because it gives me another layer of hydration before I move on to serums and moisturizer. My skin tends to respond much better when I focus on layering hydration rather than relying on one heavy product to do everything.
Why I use it: Hydration, skin conditioning, and that extra layer of moisture my dry skin loves.
Step 3: Serum — Medicube PDRN Pink Bubble Serum
After toner, I use the Medicube PDRN Pink Bubble Serum.
This is one of those products that fits easily into my everyday routine because I can layer it with the rest of my skincare without making my routine feel overly complicated.
Why I use it: I use it as an additional hydrating and skin-conditioning step and love the way it fits into my overall routine.
Step 4: Moisturize — Prequel Half & Half Fluid Moisturizer
For moisturizer, one of my regular go-tos is Prequel Half & Half Fluid Moisturizer.
I like that it gives my dry skin the moisture it needs without feeling like I’m starting the day with a super-heavy layer on my face—especially when I still need to apply sunscreen and possibly makeup afterward.
Why I use it: It gives me everyday moisture and helps keep my skin feeling comfortable without making my morning routine feel too heavy.
When My Skin Is Irritated: Prequel Ectoin Cream
If my skin feels irritated, particularly after a tretinoin night, I’ll add Prequel Ectoin Cream.
This is where I stop worrying about doing a “perfect” skincare routine and pay attention to my skin instead. If it’s telling me it needs more support, I’ll prioritize soothing and moisturizing over adding more products or actives.
Why I use it: It’s an extra barrier-supportive step I can reach for when my skin feels like it needs a little more TLC.
Step 5: Sunscreen — Medicube No Cast Just Glow SPF
And sunscreen is the step I don’t skip—especially because I use tretinoin.
I’ve been using Medicube No Cast Just Glow SPF as the final step in my morning skincare routine. I like having a sunscreen that works with the rest of my skincare instead of making me dread putting SPF on every morning.
Why I use it: Daily sun protection without the heavy white cast I don’t want from my sunscreen.
After a tretinoin night: I pay extra attention to how my skin feels the next morning. If I’m experiencing dryness or irritation, I focus on gentle cleansing, hydration, moisturizer, and sunscreen rather than trying to squeeze more actives into my routine.
My Nighttime Skincare Routine
My nighttime routine is where things change a little more depending on the day. I use tretinoin about 2–3 nights per week, so I essentially have three different types of nights: tretinoin nights, regular non-tretinoin nights, and one exfoliation night each week.
One thing I’ve learned is that I don’t need to throw every active I own at my skin at once. I would much rather spread things throughout the week and give my skin plenty of hydration and barrier support in between.
Tretinoin Nights: 2–3 Times Per Week
On tretinoin nights, my goal is to keep everything else pretty simple. I focus on cleansing, moisturizing, and minimizing irritation rather than layering a bunch of other active ingredients.
A quick note about tretinoin: The tretinoin I use is a prescription medication prescribed by my doctor. I’m sharing my personal skincare routine and what works for my skin, not providing medical advice. Tretinoin may not be appropriate for everyone, so talk with your healthcare provider about whether it’s right for you and how they recommend using it.
Step 1: Medicube Zero Pore Blackhead Cleansing Oil
I start by double cleansing with the Medicube Zero Pore Blackhead Cleansing Oil. This is my first cleanse to help remove sunscreen, makeup, and everything else that’s accumulated on my skin throughout the day.
Step 2: Medicube PDRN Jelly to Foam Cleanser
I follow my cleansing oil with the Medicube PDRN Jelly to Foam Cleanser as my second cleanse.
Double cleansing at night has become a pretty consistent part of my routine, especially since I’m wearing sunscreen during the day.
Step 3: INIA Red Light Mask
After cleansing, I use my INIA Red Light Mask before applying the rest of my skincare.
I like doing my red light session at this point because my skin is freshly cleansed and I haven’t applied my skincare products yet.
Step 4: Prequel Half & Half Fluid Moisturizer
Then I start what is often called the tretinoin sandwich method.
My first layer is Prequel Half & Half Fluid Moisturizer. I apply it and then make sure my skin is completely dry before moving on to tretinoin.
For me, adding that moisturizer underneath tretinoin makes sense because my skin already leans dry and I’m trying to keep irritation manageable.
Step 5: Tretinoin
Once my skin is completely dry, I apply my tretinoin.
I currently use my prescription tretinoin 2–3 nights per week rather than every night. I’ve found that building my routine around what my skin can comfortably tolerate is more important to me than trying to use it as frequently as possible.
After applying it, I personally wait about 20–30 minutes before moving on to the rest of my routine.
Step 6: Prequel Ectoin Cream
Next comes the second moisturizing layer of my tretinoin sandwich: Prequel Ectoin Cream.
This gives my dry skin another moisturizing, barrier-supportive layer after tretinoin.
Step 7: Avène Cicalfate+ — When I Need Extra Moisture
And sometimes I take things one step further.
If my skin feels particularly dry or like it needs some extra TLC, I’ll finish with a generous layer of Avène Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream—almost like I’m using it as a mask.
I don’t necessarily do this every tretinoin night. It’s one of those steps I add based on how my skin feels.
My Non-Tretinoin Night Routine
The nights between tretinoin applications are when I focus more heavily on hydration and keeping my skin feeling comfortable.
My regular non-tretinoin routine looks like this:
1. Medicube Zero Pore Blackhead Cleansing Oil
I start with the same first cleanse I use on tretinoin nights.
2. Medicube PDRN Jelly to Foam Cleanser
Then I follow with my second cleanse.
3. INIA Red Light Mask
I use my red light mask after cleansing and before applying my leave-on skincare.
4. Medicube PDRN Pink Cica Toner
On these nights, I bring toner back into my routine with the Medicube PDRN Pink Cica Toner.
5. Medicube Triple Collagen Cream
Then I finish my regular routine with Medicube Triple Collagen Cream as my moisturizer.
6. Avène Cicalfate+ if needed
And just like on tretinoin nights, if my skin feels like it needs something more, I’ll add a thicker layer of Avène Cicalfate+ as my final step.
The biggest difference between these nights and my tretinoin nights is that I’m not trying to pack them with a bunch of additional actives. I like having nights where my routine can just be about cleansing, hydrating, and moisturizing.
Once a Week: My Exfoliation Night
About once a week, I’ll use Prequel Multi-Acid Milk Peel on a non-tretinoin night.
I do my normal double cleanse, use my INIA Red Light Mask, and then use the Multi-Acid Milk Peel before continuing with the rest of my routine.
I intentionally keep this separate from my tretinoin nights. Since both exfoliating acids and tretinoin can be irritating, I don’t feel the need to pile them together in the same routine.
This is simply the routine that works for my skin. Tretinoin is a prescription medication, and everyone’s skin and tolerance are different. If you’re using tretinoin or considering adding exfoliating acids to your routine, follow the directions from your healthcare provider and the individual product instructions.
How I Decide What My Skin Needs
One of the biggest changes I’ve made with my dry skin skincare routine is learning that I don’t have to use every product I own just because I have it.
And trust me—I have plenty of other creams, masks, overnight masks, balms, and treatments sitting in my skincare drawer. 😂
But my routine changes depending on what my skin is telling me.
If my skin feels comfortable and hydrated, I’ll stick with my normal routine. If it feels dry or irritated, especially around a tretinoin night, I’ll simplify things and focus more heavily on moisturizing and barrier support.
I also try to pay attention to what I’ve already used that week. If I’ve used tretinoin recently, I don’t feel like I need to immediately follow it with every other active product in my collection.
That flexibility has become a really important part of my skincare routine. Instead of asking, “What else can I add?” I’ve gotten much better at asking, “What does my skin actually need today?”
My Biggest Skincare Lesson: More Isn’t Always Better
I love skincare. I love trying new products, testing different formulas, and finding things that make a noticeable difference in how my skin looks and feels.
But having a skincare drawer full of products doesn’t mean they all need to go on my face at the same time.
If anything, using tretinoin has made me much more intentional about that.
Some nights are tretinoin nights. Some are hydration nights. Once a week I may exfoliate. And sometimes my skin just needs me to leave it alone, moisturize it, and call it a night. 😂
For me, building a skincare routine has become less about following a perfect list of steps and more about having a core group of products I know I can rely on—and adjusting from there.
And honestly? My skin seems much happier when I treat my routine that way.
The Products in My Current Skincare Routine
Cleansers
Prequel Gleanser
Medicube Zero Pore Blackhead Cleansing Oil
Medicube PDRN Jelly to Foam Cleanser
Toners & Serums
Medicube PDRN Pink Niacinamide Milky Toner
Medicube PDRN Pink Bubble Serum
Medicube PDRN Pink Cica Toner
Moisturizers & Barrier Support
Prequel Half & Half Fluid Moisturizer
Prequel Ectoin Cream
Medicube Triple Collagen Cream
Avène Cicalfate+
SPF
Medicube No Cast Just Glow SPF
Treatment & Device
Prescription tretinoin
Prequel Multi-Acid Milk Peel
INIA Red Light Mask
My Skincare Routine Is Always a Work in Progress
If there’s one thing I’ve learned from trying what feels like a million skincare products, it’s that my routine is probably never going to be completely “finished.”
My skin changes. The seasons change. I find new products. Sometimes something I loved stops working for me, and sometimes I discover something that earns a permanent spot in my routine.
And that’s part of why I wanted to start sharing more of this here.
Instead of trying to squeeze an entire skincare routine into a Reel, TikTok, or caption, I can actually explain what I’m using, why I’m using it, and where it fits into my routine.
There are plenty of other products sitting in my skincare drawer that didn’t make it into this post—masks, balms, overnight treatments, creams and more—so we’ll definitely get into those another day.
For now, these are the products and steps that make up the core of my current routine.
And as that routine changes, I’ll keep sharing what I learn along the way. ♡
