How to treat dry, flaky skin

Why is your skin dry and flaky?

Dry skin develops when skin loses too much water and oil. Flaking, roughness, tightness after bathing, itching and cracks can follow. Cold air, indoor heating, air conditioning, frequent handwashing, long hot baths and some soaps or detergents can contribute. Aging, certain medicines, eczema and psoriasis can also cause dryness, so persistent flakes are not always just a moisturizer problem.1

How to wash and moisturize dry skin

1. 1Keep baths and showers warm, not hot, and limit them to 5 to 10 minutes. Bathe only once a day.
2. 2Use a gentle cleanser or moisturizing soap rather than regular soap. For body washing, limit cleanser to the face, underarms, genital areas, hands and feet. Avoid scrubbing.
3. 3Pat skin dry after bathing, leaving it damp, then apply moisturizer to help lock in water.
4. 4Reapply moisturizer 2 to 3 times a day, or as often as your skin needs it. Make another application when skin feels dry rather than saving all moisturizing for bedtime.

Which moisturizer should you choose?

Moisturizer adds moisture and helps prevent water from leaving the skin. Lotions, creams and ointments all count as moisturizers, so the category has more wardrobe changes than the job requires.2

Look for fragrance free formulas with ceramides or hyaluronic acid. Avoid products with alcohol, fragrance or alpha hydroxy acids while treating ordinary dryness. If clogged pores are a concern, look for a moisturizer labeled noncomedogenic, meaning formulated not to block pores. Natural or organic branding does not mean a product is less likely to trigger allergies.2

The dry parts of a combination face need moisturizer, without requiring the oily parts to join the same committee. Adjust the texture to the area instead of treating every patch alike. A seasonal change can call for a different moisturizing routine, even if the old bottle has not finished its term in office.2

Should you exfoliate the flakes?

For ordinary dry, peeling skin, moisturize rather than exfoliate. Exfoliation can strip away more moisture. Keep daytime sun protection in your routine with shade, protective clothing and broad spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher.2

Keratosis pilaris is a different case: it causes tiny, rough bumps, usually on the upper arms or thighs. Treatment can include gentle exfoliation and a chemical exfoliator that loosens excess dead skin, followed by moisturizer. Ingredients used include urea, lactic acid and salicylic acid. Follow the product directions exactly, and stop for a few days if skin becomes too dry or irritated. This is a condition specific approach, not a reason to put acids on every flaky patch.3

What else helps dryness and itching?

Wear soft clothing next to your skin and avoid rough fabrics such as wool. Use laundry detergent without dyes or fragrances. A cool compress and moisturizer can ease itchy areas. If the air feels dry, a humidifier can help prevent further dryness.13

When does dry skin need medical care?

See a clinician if self care does not relieve dryness and itching, itching interrupts sleep, or scratching causes open cuts or sores. Itching without a visible rash also deserves assessment. Arrange a dermatology appointment if dryness worsens into painful cracks, bleeding, stinging or marked irritation. Some cases need prescription treatment rather than another moisturizer.12

How do you treat dry, flaky ears?

For very dry, itchy outer ears, apply moisturizer around the bowl of the ear and the entrance to the canal. Keep water, soap and shampoo out of the canal. Do not use cotton buds or push anything inside to remove flakes: this can injure the canal and push wax deeper. Earwax protects the canal, and ears normally clear wax themselves.4

Flaking behind the ears can accompany eczema, psoriasis or seborrhoeic dermatitis. Dry, itchy patches around earrings can also come from nickel allergy; avoiding the offending metal is the main step. If you already have eczema or psoriasis and your ear canal itches, have a dermatologist or ear specialist examine it rather than assuming it is simple dryness.56

Oil drops or sprays can be used sparingly for very dry, itchy ears, but get guidance before choosing drops because some preparations irritate the canal. The right treatment also depends on whether the eardrum is intact. Do not transfer a face or body exfoliating routine into the ear canal.47

Call a doctor for ear pain or discharge, and seek assessment for swelling, reduced hearing or fever. These symptoms can occur with otitis externa, inflammation of the ear canal that can involve infection. It needs an examination and treatment matched to the cause. Have persistent ear itching checked if it lasts more than a few days. Clean hearing aids and earbuds regularly following their manufacturer's directions.67