Skincare for Moderate & Very Dry Weather

Very dry air can remove water from the skin even when temperatures feel mild and comfortable. Cheeks, lips and the area around the eyes may become tight or rough after several hours outdoors, while dry wind can increase discomfort. Use a humectant serum followed by a moisturising cream containing ceramides, fatty acids or squalane. Protect particularly dry areas with balm and avoid harsh cleansing or excessive exfoliation. Hair can become dry, tangled, static-prone and vulnerable to wind. A nourishing conditioner, lightweight leave-in cream and smoothing serum can help maintain softness. Minimise excessive heat styling and protect longer hair from strong wind by tying or covering it when practical.

Hydrate, Repair and Shield

Moderate temperatures combined with humidity below 30% can remove moisture from the skin without creating an obvious sensation of heat. During four to five hours of walking, sightseeing or outdoor travel, dry air and wind can leave the face increasingly tight, especially when water intake is limited.

Sweat may evaporate quickly, so travellers may not realise how much fluid they are losing. The cheeks, lips and eye area may become dry, while the forehead and nose retain a small amount of surface oil. Studies of low-humidity environments have found changes in skin hydration and reported dryness-related discomfort at relative humidity below 30%.

What may happen to your skin:

• Less visible dehydration: The weather may feel comfortable even while moisture is gradually leaving the skin.
• Dryness and tightness: The cheeks, lips, eye area and sides of the nose may feel stretched.
• Rough or uneven texture: Very dry air may affect the smooth appearance of the outer skin layer.
• Greater sensitivity to wind: Wind exposure may increase feelings of dryness and irritation.
• Temporary fine lines: Dehydration can make small surface lines appear more noticeable.

The right approach:

The priority is to restore water, strengthen the moisturising layer and protect exposed skin. Choose:

• A hydrating serum containing glycerin, panthenol, beta-glucan or hyaluronic acid
• A lotion or cream containing ceramides, squalane, fatty acids or cholesterol
• A richer balm applied selectively to the lips, cheeks and sides of the nose
• A gentle cream or low-foaming cleanser used with lukewarm water
• Broad-spectrum sunscreen with a moisturising lotion or cream texture
• Regular water intake and physical protection from strong wind and sunlight

Apply hydrating products immediately after cleansing, while the skin remains slightly damp. Follow serum with moisturising cream to reduce rapid evaporation. Avoid excessive exfoliation, strong scrubs and repeated cleansing when the skin already feels tight. The ideal mantra for this weather is: Hydrate, Repair and Shield. Very dry air requires both water-based hydration and a protective moisturising layer, even when the temperature itself feels mild.

Skincare Ideal for These Climates and Countries

Year-round:

• year-round: Arequipa, Peru; Calama, Chile; San Pedro de Atacama, Chile

Winter / cooler months:

• December-February: Phoenix, USA; Yuma, USA; Luxor, Egypt; Aswan, Egypt; Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Medina, Saudi Arabia; AlUla, Saudi Arabia
• November-February: Las Vegas, USA; Tucson, USA; Palm Springs, USA; Jaisalmer, India; Jodhpur, India; Bikaner, India; Udaipur, India 

Shoulder months:

• April & October: Albuquerque, USA; Tehran, Iran; Isfahan, Iran; Kerman, Iran; Tashkent, Uzbekistan; Bukhara, Uzbekistan
• March-April & October: Ashgabat, Turkmenistan
• March-April & October-November: Yazd, Iran
• May & September: Santa Fe, USA; Reno, USA; Boise, USA
• October-November & March-April: Mendoza, Argentina

Summer / hotter months:

• November-March: La Serena, Chile