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A hydrating skincare routine comes down to four jobs: clean skin without stripping it, add a water-binding layer, seal it in with a moisturizer, and protect it from the sun during the day. Most people can do all four in about five minutes. This guide gives the order of the steps, what changes between winter and summer, and which Forever Living products fit each step, using only what Forever states on its US product pages.
Why skin feels dry in the first place
Dryness is usually a mix of the environment and habits, not one cause:
- Cold, wind and heated indoor air — all pull moisture off the skin’s surface.
- Long, hot showers — hot water and long contact remove the skin’s natural oils.
- Strong cleansers — foaming washes that leave skin tight are a common trigger.
- Too much exfoliation — scrubbing or using exfoliants daily can leave skin more reactive.
- Age — skin tends to produce less oil over time, so a routine that worked at 25 may feel thin at 55.
“Dry” and “dehydrated” are not the same. Dry skin lacks oil; dehydrated skin lacks water and can happen even if you are oily. The routine below works for both because it adds water-binding and sealing layers. If your skin keeps itching, cracks, or develops a rash despite a gentle routine, see a doctor or dermatologist: that is beyond what a moisturizer can address.
The routine at a glance
| Step | Morning | Evening |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Wash | Yes, lukewarm water | Yes |
| 2. Refresh (optional) | Yes | Yes |
| 3. Hydrating serum | Yes | Yes |
| 4. Moisturize | Lighter lotion or cream | Richer cream if skin is dry |
| 5. Sunscreen | Yes | No |
| Exfoliate | No | 2 to 3 times a week at most |
Step by step
1. Wash gently
Wash with lukewarm water and a cleanser that does not leave skin tight. Forever describes infinite by Forever Hydrating Cleanser as a fragrance-free, sulfate-free cleanser for morning and evening use. If you prefer a bar for face and body, Aloe Avocado Face & Body Soap is listed by Forever as suitable for all skin types; it does contain fragrance.
2. Refresh (optional)
A toner step is optional. Aloe Activator is over 98% aloe vera gel with five ingredients in total; Forever’s directions are to apply it to a cotton ball and wipe gently across the skin.
3. Add a hydrating serum
A serum goes on before the moisturizer. Forever’s Hydrating Serum contains four types of hyaluronic acid, and its directions are to use 1 to 2 pumps on face and neck immediately before your moisturizer.
4. Moisturize to match your skin
Choose by how dry your skin is, not by the season name on the label:
- Normal to slightly dry — a lotion. See the Aloe Moisturizing Lotion guide for how Forever’s lotions differ, including which contain fragrance or parabens.
- Dry or tight — a cream. Deep Moisturizing Cream is directed for use on the face daily, morning and/or night. Aloe Propolis Creme pairs aloe with bee propolis.
- Body — Aloe Body Lotion is an 8 fl. oz. fast-absorbing lotion that Forever lists as suitable for vegetarians and vegans.
Apply moisturizer within a few minutes of washing, while skin is still slightly damp.
5. Sunscreen in the morning
UV exposure is a daily skin stressor even in winter. Aloe Sunscreen is SPF 30 and water resistant for 80 minutes; apply it 15 to 30 minutes before sun exposure and reapply at least every 2 hours. Aloe on its own does not provide sun protection.
Exfoliating: less than you think
Forever’s Smoothing Exfoliator is directed for 2 to 3 times a week, avoiding the eye area. If your skin already feels dry, start at once a week.
Adjusting for the season
- Winter and heated rooms — move to a richer cream in the evening, shorten showers and add a room humidifier if the air is very dry.
- Summer and air conditioning — a lighter lotion may be enough, but keep the serum and sunscreen. Air conditioning dries skin too.
- Travel — cabin air is dry; carry a small tube of whatever cream you already use rather than trying something new.
Hands, body and lips
Hands get washed the most. Aloe Liquid Soap is a 16 fl. oz. hand and body wash that Forever describes as suitable for the whole family. Follow with a hand lotion after washing. For lips, Forever Aloe Lips is described by Forever as soothing dry, chapped lips.
What you drink and eat
Water intake affects how you feel in general, but a moisturizer does the work on the skin’s surface. If you like flavored drinks, Forever also makes aloe drinks; Forever Aloe Mango is 86% inner leaf aloe vera gel with mango puree. See the aloe vera drinks guide for the full range. Drinks are not a skin treatment.
Forever also sells a beauty supplement, infinite by Forever Firming Complex. According to Forever, it combines French melon, phytoceramides from European wheat, collagen and vitamin C, and is meant to support skin from the inside. The directions are two tablets daily, and it contains fish and wheat. It does not replace a moisturizer or sunscreen.
Common mistakes
- Washing with very hot water.
- Skipping sunscreen because it is cloudy or cold.
- Exfoliating every day.
- Changing several products at once, so you cannot tell which one irritates.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a serum if I already use a moisturizer?
No. A serum is optional. If you use one, it goes on before the moisturizer, as Forever directs for its Hydrating Serum.
What order should I apply products in?
Thinnest to thickest: cleanser, toner, serum, moisturizer, then sunscreen in the morning.
Where can I read more about aloe in skin care?
See Aloe Vera for Skin: what it does and what the evidence says and the Forever Living skincare guide.
Forever advises a patch test if you are unsure about sensitivity, and a healthcare professional’s advice during pregnancy. Its skin products are for external use only.
* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
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