Dry skin remedies: What helps and how to use it

Why does skin get dry?

Dry skin happens when skin loses too much water and oil. Signs include flaking, roughness, tightness after bathing, itching and cracks that can bleed. Cold air, heating, air conditioning, frequent handwashing, hot showers and some soaps or detergents can contribute. Aging, certain medicines and conditions such as eczema or psoriasis can also cause dryness.1

Which moisturizer should you choose?

An emollient is a moisturizer: it forms a protective oily layer that traps moisture and helps skin repair. Emollient is the medical word for moisturizer. Choose the texture by how dry your skin is, where you need it and what feels comfortable, rather than how ambitious the jar sounds.2

Look for a moisturizer containing ceramides, and avoid fragranced or dyed skincare and soaps. For diagnosed dyshidrotic eczema, which can leave skin extremely dry, choose a fragrance free cream or ointment rather than lotion. A dermatologist can also recommend a barrier repair cream containing dimethicone to protect against irritation.14

How to treat dry skin each day

1. 1Keep baths and showers to 5 to 10 minutes, use warm rather than hot water, and bathe only once a day.
2. 2Use a gentle cleanser instead of regular soap. Focus cleanser on your face, underarms, genital areas, hands and feet rather than washing every dry patch with soap. Avoid scrubbing.
3. 3Pat skin dry, leaving it damp, then apply moisturizer straight away.
4. 4Smooth moisturizer gently in the direction of hair growth rather than rubbing it in. Leave a thin layer to soak in for about 10 minutes.
5. 5Reapply whenever skin feels dry. A practical starting point is 2 to 3 applications a day, with more as needed. Use a cream during the day and an ointment at night if that combination suits your skin.

An emollient soap substitute is another washing option for dry or itchy skin. Mix a small amount with warm water in your palm, spread it over skin, rinse and pat dry. Emollient washes do not foam like ordinary soap but clean just as effectively, so bubbles do not get a supervisory role. If stinging continues after rinsing, ask a pharmacist for a different product.3

What helps very dry hands?

Keep moisturizer nearby and apply it after handwashing and whenever your hands feel dry. If you have dyshidrotic eczema, wash with lukewarm water and a mild fragrance free cleanser, avoiding antibacterial and deodorant soaps. Remove rings before washing, moisturizing and sleeping. For wet chores, wear cotton gloves underneath waterproof gloves to help prevent irritation from water, detergents and household cleaners.4

Change what keeps drying your skin

Use a humidifier when the air feels dry, because the bathroom shelf is not the entire skincare department. Wear soft clothing against your skin rather than rough fabrics such as wool, and wash clothes with detergent free of dyes and fragrances. For itchy areas, try moisturizer and a cool compress. Keep fingernails short and smooth to reduce damage from scratching.125

Can you use moisturizer with prescribed skin treatments?

Keep moisturizer and topical steroid applications at least 30 minutes apart, and ask your clinician which to apply first. Separating applications avoids diluting the treatment or spreading it onto areas that do not need it. If you are having ultraviolet light treatment or radiotherapy, get specific instructions for moisturizer use.23

When should you stop or get help?

Stop using a moisturizer that makes skin itchy or sore. Speak to a pharmacist or clinician about persistent burning or stinging, inflamed hair follicles or a new facial rash. Aqueous cream is not recommended as a moisturizer because its sodium lauryl sulphate can irritate skin.23

Use a clean spoon or spatula to take moisturizer from a tub rather than dipping in your fingers. Keep emollients and fabrics that have touched them away from flames and cigarettes, including when the product contains no paraffin. Washing does not completely remove residue. Take care with slippery baths, showers and tiled floors after application.3

Contact a healthcare professional if:

• You itch without a visible rash.
• Dryness or itching keeps you awake.
• Scratching has caused open cuts or sores.
• Regular home care does not relieve dryness and itching.