Tight, flat, and thirstier than a humid city suggests.

Genuinely dry skin makes too little oil, so it loses water fast and looks flat under any light. We rebuild in two directions — water in, then lipids over the top to keep it there.

Without enough sebum the barrier leaks. Every hour under air conditioning takes more water out than the skin can replace, which is why the tightness returns by afternoon however much cream you use.

So the order matters: hydrate the layers first with water-based essence, then seal with lipids. A rich cream on dehydrated skin only traps the dryness underneath.

Visible the same day, and monthly holds it. The home layering does most of the work between visits — this is the skin type where routine matters more than treatment.

A cream or oil cleanser instead of foam, essence pressed into damp skin, then a ceramide moisturiser. Turn the aircon down at night if you can.

Exfoliating to fix flaking. The flakes are a barrier signal — sanding them off restarts the cycle a day later.