How to stop flaking skin on your face

What to do each day

1. 1Wash gently with warm rather than hot water and a gentle cleanser. Use a soft touch instead of a scrub or vigorous rubbing. Keep showers to 5 to 10 minutes.
2. 2Pat your face dry, leaving it slightly damp. Apply moisturizer immediately after washing, within five minutes, to help hold moisture in the skin.
3. 3Reapply moisturizer during the day when your face feels dry or tight. Include morning and bedtime applications rather than relying on one application to last all day.
4. 4For a severely dry spot, gently dab on a petroleum jelly based product before bed. If applying petroleum jelly over your whole face causes pimples, stop or limit that approach.
5. 5Protect your face outdoors with a broad spectrum, water resistant sunscreen rated SPF 30 or higher. Seek shade and protect your skin from cold, dry air and wind.

Which moisturizer should you choose?

Choose a cream or ointment rather than a lotion for very dry skin: creams and ointments add more moisture. A cream is convenient during the day because it absorbs quickly and is less greasy; a thick ointment suits very dry skin and nighttime use. Do not use an ointment on weeping eczema.15

Look for fragrance free products, especially if your skin is sensitive. Unscented products can contain chemicals that hide odors and irritate dry skin. Useful moisturizer ingredients include glycerin, petrolatum, hyaluronic acid and ceramides. Ceramides are fatty molecules that strengthen the skin's protective barrier.13

An emollient is a moisturizing treatment that forms a protective film to trap moisture. Some emollients can also replace soap. An emollient wash can clean without foaming, so bubbles are not the receipt. Smooth an emollient gently over skin rather than rubbing it in, and use a clean spoon or spatula if it comes in a tub.5

Should you exfoliate the flakes?

No. Exfoliating dry, flaky skin can remove more skin than intended and leave additional damage to heal. Pause retinol and other cosmetic retinoids, astringent toners and fragranced products while addressing dryness. Review makeup and shampoo too, because either can contribute to facial dryness. If eczema is involved, makeup can further irritate the skin and delay healing.134

If you use a steroid cream or another treatment for a diagnosed skin condition, leave 20 to 30 minutes between that treatment and an emollient. Ask your doctor which to apply first. Ask a dermatologist before adding an itch relief cream, because some can worsen irritation in very dry skin.15

How long does flaking take to settle?

There is no single recovery time for facial flaking because treatment depends on the cause. An eczema flare can take several weeks to clear even with treatment, and it can return. Regular moisturizer and avoiding known irritants help reduce future eczema flares. If dry indoor air contributes, a bedroom humidifier can help; clean it regularly to prevent mold.146

When should you get medical help?

Contact a healthcare professional if gentle care is not helping, symptoms worsen, or itching interferes with daily activities. Wet, red patches or a persistent pink, scaly spot also need assessment. Stop a product that causes a rash or pain and discuss the reaction with your clinician; report persistent burning or stinging too. A diagnosed inflammatory condition or infection can require medicine rather than more moisturizer.1346

Keep emollient residue on bedding, clothing and other fabrics away from flames and cigarettes. Fabrics exposed to any type of emollient can catch fire easily, and washing does not completely remove the residue.5