Dry skin develops when skin loses too much water and oil. Cold weather, heating, air conditioning, frequent washing, and long hot showers can contribute. Some medicines and conditions such as eczema or psoriasis also cause dryness, so persistent flaking is not always a problem that another moisturizer will solve.2
What should I do each day?
- 1Wash with warm rather than hot water. Keep baths and showers to 5 to 10 minutes, and bathe only once a day.
- 2Use a gentle cleanser only where needed. Avoid scrubbing and thick lather. An emollient, the medical name for a moisturizer, can also serve as a soap substitute when the product is suitable for washing.
- 3Pat your skin dry instead of rubbing, leaving it slightly damp. Apply your moisturizer straight away.
- 4Smooth leave on emollients gently in the direction of hair growth. Wash your hands first, and use a clean spoon rather than your fingers to take product from a tub.
- 5Reapply after handwashing and whenever skin feels dry or tight. Regular emollient use commonly means 2 to 4 applications a day or more.
An emollient wash can clean without foaming, so the bubbles are not doing the paperwork.4
Which moisturizer should I choose?
| Texture | Best use | Tradeoff |
|---|---|---|
| Cream | Daytime use | Less greasy and easier to spread than ointment. |
| Ointment | Very dry or thickened skin, especially overnight | Thick, greasy and very moisturizing. Do not use on weeping eczema. |
| Lotion | Hairy areas | Thin and easy to spread, but less moisturizing. |
Choose the least expensive moisturizer that works, feels acceptable, and is practical to use regularly, rather than appointing the most expensive jar head of the bathroom. Greasier preparations generally provide the strongest moisturizing effect. A lighter texture can be more comfortable on the face or during the day.5
Look for gentle products labeled "fragrance free"; "unscented" products can contain ingredients that mask smells and irritate dry skin. Ceramides are one ingredient to look for in a moisturizer. Moisturizers reduce water loss, but their effects are short lived, which is why repeat application matters.125
A cream during the day and an ointment overnight can be a useful combination, without turning the bathroom into a moisturizer showroom.3
What can make the flaking worse?
Avoid fragranced products, harsh soaps, alcohol containing skincare, and retinoids while dealing with dry skin. The alcohol advice does not apply to hand sanitizer. For itch, try moisturizer and a cool compress rather than scratching. Ask a dermatologist before adding an itch relief cream, because some can worsen dryness and irritation.12
Protect hands with gloves during wet chores and in cold weather. Wear soft, loose cotton clothing rather than rough fabrics against dry skin. A bedroom humidifier can help when indoor air is dry; clean it regularly to prevent mold. Outdoors, use broad spectrum, water resistant sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher, shade, and protective clothing.1
When should I stop or get medical help?
Stop using an emollient that makes your skin itchy or sore. Tell a clinician about burning, stinging, or irritation from skincare. Get medical help if dryness does not improve with home care, itching disrupts sleep, you itch without a visible rash, or scratching leaves open cuts or sores.123
If you use a topical steroid, leave at least 30 minutes between it and your emollient, and ask your doctor which to apply first. Keep emollients and fabrics carrying their residue away from flames and cigarettes. Both paraffin containing and paraffin free products carry this fire risk. Emollients can also make baths and floors slippery.34
Where this answer comes from
- 1Dermatologists' top tips for relieving dry skinaad.org
- 2Dry skin - self-care: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopediamedlineplus.gov
- 3Emollients and how to use them - Overviewguysandstthomas.nhs.uk
- 4Emollientsnhs.uk
- 5Emollientskentandmedwayformulary.nhs.uk
