How to moisturize dry skin

Why does your skin keep getting dry?

Dry skin develops when skin loses too much water and oil. Signs include roughness, tightness after bathing, itching, flaking and cracks that can bleed. Cold air, indoor heating, air conditioning, frequent handwashing and long, hot showers can all contribute. Aging, some medicines and skin conditions such as eczema can also cause dryness. Moisturizing helps replace and retain moisture, but washing habits matter too. A moisturizer helps lock in water, but a long, hot shower gives it an unnecessarily ambitious job.1

Should you use lotion, cream or ointment?

For persistently dry skin, start with a cream or ointment rather than a light lotion. You can use a less oily preparation during the day or on your face if that makes regular application easier. Lotions can be useful on hairy areas. Choose an affordable moisturizer that works and that you are willing to use frequently. The richest texture is not much help if it spends its working life inside the jar.24

What should you look for in a moisturizer?

A useful dry skin moisturizer combines ingredients that draw in water, prevent its escape and soften rough skin. Humectants, such as hyaluronic acid and urea, draw water into the outer skin layer. Occlusives, such as petrolatum and dimethicone, reduce moisture loss. Emollients soften and smooth skin; some also help seal in water. Ceramides are fats that help hold moisture in the skin. Look for fragrance free products, particularly if your skin is sensitive. Botanical ingredients can also cause allergies, and fragrance free does not mean allergen free. The ingredient list tells you more about a moisturizer than the price tag.5

How to apply moisturizer after washing

1. 1Wash with warm rather than hot water. Keep baths and showers to five to ten minutes.
2. 2Use a gentle cleanser instead of regular soap. Focus cleansing on areas that need it, such as your underarms, groin and feet, rather than scrubbing your entire body.
3. 3Pat your skin gently with a towel. Stop while the skin is still slightly damp, rather than drying it completely.
4. 4Apply your cream or ointment promptly. After a shower, aim to moisturize within three minutes to trap the remaining water.
5. 5Use a soft touch when spreading moisturizer. Avoid rubbing or scrubbing dry skin.

How often should you moisturize?

Apply moisturizer two to three times daily, or as often as needed, including after bathing. Morning and evening applications can provide regular opportunities, with another application when dryness returns. Moisturizers have short lived effects, so repeated use matters more than a single generous application. Expect softer, smoother skin as moisture loss is reduced, but continue applying moisturizer rather than treating one application as a lasting fix. Adjust the texture or frequency when colder weather or indoor heating makes your skin drier.124

How do you moisturize a dry face?

Choose a fragrance free moisturizer made for the face and apply it while your skin is damp after washing. Facial skin can suit a lighter lotion or gel, but very dry skin can need a richer cream. If you are prone to pimples, look for a product labeled noncomedogenic, meaning formulated not to clog pores. If only parts of your face are dry, concentrate moisturizer on those areas instead of automatically using the same amount everywhere. An unscented label is not the same as fragrance free; unscented products can still contain irritating fragrance ingredients.256

What should you avoid while skin is dry?

Do not scrub or exfoliate peeling skin to remove the flakes. Exfoliation can strip away more moisture and damage skin further, so moisturize instead. Astringent toners and retinol can also worsen dryness. If retinol is part of your routine, moisturizing ingredients such as hyaluronic acid can help counter its drying effects. Flakes call for moisture, not an eviction notice. During the day, protect skin with shade, protective clothing and broad spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher.26

How do you moisturize extremely dry skin?

Switch to a thick cream or ointment and use a fragrance free cleanser or moisturizing body wash. Choose a moisturizer you can comfortably use at least twice daily. For a severely dry facial patch, gently dab on a petroleum jelly based product before bed. A thin layer over the whole face is another option for widespread dryness, but reduce or stop that approach if pimples develop. Painful cracks, bleeding, persistent stinging or worsening irritation need a dermatologist's assessment rather than progressively heavier layers.26

What if you have sensitive skin or eczema?

For atopic dermatitis, a type of eczema that causes itchy, scaly rashes, regular moisturizing is part of daily care. Apply cream, ointment or petroleum jelly two to three times a day and after short, cooler baths while skin is damp. Avoid perfumes, dyes, strong soaps and known irritants, including lanolin if it aggravates your eczema. Soft clothing and avoiding rough wool can help limit irritation. A humidifier can help keep indoor air moist. Continue medicines prescribed for eczema; moisturizer is part of care, not a reason to replace treatment.7

When should you stop a product or get help?

If a moisturizer causes a rash or ongoing irritation, stop that product and ask about an alternative. People with eczema can find some moisturizers sting, and a different formulation can be needed. Keep paraffin containing emollients away from naked flames. Clothing and bedding can absorb emollients and become more flammable. Bath emollients can also make surfaces slippery, so take care getting in and out.34

Contact a healthcare professional if moisturizing and gentler washing do not relieve dryness, itching prevents sleep, or scratching causes open cuts or sores. Persistent pink facial patches or wet, red areas also need assessment. If you have eczema, seek medical advice when symptoms worsen or treatment stops working, and for signs of infection such as fever, redness or pain.167