Dry skin on the forehead: causes and what to do

Why is your forehead dry?

The outer layer of skin holds water in and protects against the environment. Sebum, the skin's natural oil, helps limit water loss. When there is too little oil, or washing removes that protective layer, skin loses water and feels dry. Excessive bathing, harsh soaps and scrubbing can all contribute. Oil production also decreases with age, so a routine that used to be comfortable can become too drying.2

Winter weather and central heating are common triggers, with central heating giving dry skin an indoor venue as well. Hot, dry weather, wind and frequent sun exposure can also increase water loss. Shorter showers, avoiding harsh soap and increasing indoor humidity can help, but moisturising may still be needed.2

Check more than your face cream: makeup and shampoo can contribute to facial dryness too. Retinol and astringent toners can be drying. Skin conditions such as eczema, seborrheic dermatitis and psoriasis are other possible causes, so the appearance and symptoms of the patch matter more than its location alone.1

Is it dryness, eczema or psoriasis?

Eczema, also called atopic dermatitis, often starts with intense itching and can produce dry, scaly patches. On lighter skin, the rash often looks red; on darker skin, affected areas can look dark brown, purple or gray, or have small rough bumps. Warmth, swelling, cracking and fluid leaking from bumps can also occur. Eczema can start in adulthood, and the forehead is a common location in babies and young children. Repeated rubbing or scratching can make affected skin thick and leathery.3

Psoriasis commonly causes thick, raised patches covered with a thin, silvery white scale. These patches often itch. They commonly appear on the scalp but can develop anywhere on the skin. Scratching can make the patches thicker. A raised, scaly patch deserves assessment rather than simply adding more moisturiser.4

How to care for a dry forehead

1. 1Wash gently with warm rather than hot water. Avoid scrubbing and use a soft touch.
2. 2If ordinary soap leaves the skin dry or itchy, use an emollient soap substitute. Emollients are moisturising treatments that help trap water in the skin.
3. 3Pat dry rather than rubbing, then apply moisturiser promptly, within five minutes of washing your face.
4. 4Smooth an emollient gently in the direction the hair grows rather than rubbing it in.
5. 5For a particularly dry spot, gently dab petroleum jelly on the patch before bed. Limit or discontinue it if pimples develop.

An emollient wash does not foam like ordinary soap but cleans just as effectively, so a forehead does not need a bubble display to count as washed.5

Which moisturiser should you choose?

Look for a fragrance free moisturiser with ceramides or cholesterol, which help rebuild the skin's protective barrier. Avoiding fragrance is particularly useful when choosing care for dry skin. For an overly dry forehead patch, petroleum jelly at bedtime is another option; a humidifier at night can also help boost hydration.6

Some people need to try several preparations before finding one that suits them.27

How often should you moisturise?

Apply an emollient whenever the forehead feels dry or tight, ideally at least three or four times daily. A cream during the day and an ointment at night can be a practical combination. Continue moisturising after the skin starts improving rather than stopping at the first sign of smoother skin.57

Moisturisers reduce water loss by creating a protective layer on the surface. Keeping dry skin moisturised helps reduce the gaps and cracks that allow irritants and bacteria to enter. The aim is to prevent the skin becoming dry and flaky again, not just make the surface feel softer for a moment. Avoid scratching: irritation and scratching can feed a cycle of sore, itchy skin.7

Should you exfoliate or keep using retinol?

Avoid trying to scrub the flakes away. Exfoliation can remove more skin than intended and leave new damage to heal. Retinol can worsen dryness; if you continue using it, moisture adding products such as hyaluronic acid can help counter its drying effect. Dry skin needs gentle handling, not more friction.1

If you use a steroid cream or another skin treatment, leave 20 to 30 minutes between that treatment and your emollient. Ask your doctor which goes first. The gap avoids diluting the medicine or spreading it onto skin that does not need treatment.5

Keep using sunscreen throughout the year, including winter, to protect against sun damage. Cold weather does not remove the need for sun protection.6

When should you get medical advice?

• Arrange an assessment for persistent dryness or irritation, especially a red, itchy patch.
• Contact a clinician if the patch is wet and red, persistently pink, or not improving.
• See a GP if dry, cracked and itchy skin is widespread and persists beyond two weeks.
• Contact a dermatologist if yellow or golden crusts develop, as these can indicate infection.
• Seek immediate medical care for blisters accompanied by fever, fatigue or swollen glands, particularly with eczema in a child or someone with a weakened immune system.

Talk to a pharmacist or clinician if an emollient causes persistent burning or stinging, inflamed hair follicles or a facial rash that worsens acne. Use a clean spoon or spatula for products in tubs. Keep emollients and fabrics carrying their residue away from flames and cigarettes because contaminated clothing and bedding can catch fire easily.5