Dry skin isn’t just a winter problem—it’s a year-round concern for many. From flakiness and tightness to patchy foundation, it often feels like your products just aren’t sinking in. But dry skin isn’t only thirsty—it’s imbalanced. Let’s break down what’s really going on and how to restore your glow from within.
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What’s Really Causing Dry Skin?
Dry skin isn’t always about a lack of moisture—it often stems from deeper issues in your skin’s structure or daily routine. Here are the main culprits:
1. Weakened Skin Barrier
Your skin barrier acts like a protective seal, locking in moisture and keeping irritants out. Stress, over-exfoliation, or environmental damage can compromise it, causing moisture to escape more easily.
2. Age-Related Moisture Loss
As we age, our skin produces less sebum and fewer natural moisturizing factors. This leads to drier, thinner skin and more visible fine lines.
3. Environmental Stressors
Dry weather, air conditioning, and sun exposure all increase transepidermal water loss (TEWL), making skin feel tight and look dull.
4. Over-Cleansing
Harsh cleansers or over-washing can strip away essential oils, weakening the barrier and leaving skin dry and vulnerable.
Dry skin might start small, but over time, it can compromise your skin’s resilience and accelerate signs of aging. The good news is, the right ingredients can restore your water-oil balance and bring back your natural radiance.
Tight but Oily? You Might Be Dehydrated
If your skin feels oily and tight, you’re not imagining things. You may have dehydrated skin. Unlike merely dry skin, dehydrated skin lacks water—not oil. To compensate, it produces more sebum, leaving you shiny but still thirsty underneath.
Understanding water-oil balance is key, because they do different jobs:
- Water hydrates the skin
- Oil seals in that hydration
To figure out what your skin really needs, take a moment to observe how it feels:
| Your Skin Feels... | What It Means | What to Look For |
| Tight, flaky, or rough—even after moisturizing | Dryness; you’re missing both water and lipids | Nourishing oils, barrier-repairing creams |
| Shiny in the T-zone but still tight | Dehydration; you’re lacking water | Hydrating toners, water-based serums, lightweight moisturizers |
Hydrating Heroes: HA, Amino Acids & Squalane
These powerhouse ingredients work together to rehydrate, protect, and restore bounce to your skin:
Hyaluronic Acid (HA)
This moisture magnet pulls in and holds up to 1,000 times its weight in water. It hydrates deeply and leaves skin looking smoother, plumper, and more refreshed.
Amino Acids
Naturally found in the skin, amino acids help maintain hydration, support collagen production, and strengthen the skin barrier. They’re ideal in lightweight, water-based formulas that feel comfortable—even on sensitive or acne-prone skin.
Squalane
This silky, non-comedogenic lipid mimics your skin’s natural oils. It locks in moisture, reinforces a weakened barrier, and smooths texture—without feeling greasy. Most squalane today is plant-derived (from olives or sugarcane), offering a sustainable, skin-loving option.
ampm to the Rescue!
At ampm, we believe skincare should be designed around what your skin truly needs. Our Hydrating Set for Dry Skin is crafted to hydrate, repair, and protect—day and night.
PDRN Regenerative Oil Serum
Formulated with salmon PDRN, squalane, and plant-based oils, this velvety oil serum replenishes lost lipids and reinforces the skin barrier. PDRN also helps accelerate cell turnover, restoring elasticity and bounce. (Read more about PDRN: Click here)
Despite being a facial oil, it absorbs quickly and forms a protective film to shield skin from external stress.
PDRN Repairing Cream
This multitasking cream combines hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and PDRN to deeply hydrate and repair. Its lightweight, fast-absorbing texture makes it suitable for all skin types—whether you’re dry, dehydrated, or both.
Surfing Aqua Mask: Ceramides + Amino Acids
Give your skin an instant hydration boost. With 5x ceramides, 6x amino acids, and sodium hyaluronate, this mask replenishes moisture and restores bounce. Plus, our Glu Tech Sheet clings like a second skin, delivering deep hydration to every curve and contour.
Whatever your skin type, water-oil balance is the foundation of a healthy, luminous complexion. With barrier-loving ingredients and targeted formulas, ampm helps your skin do what it does best—glow from the inside out.
That’s the ampm way.
