Skincare routine for dry skin

A simple morning and evening routine

1. 1Wash with cooler water and a cleanser made for the face. Hot water can dry skin, and your face does not need to be simmered like soup.
2. 2Pat your skin dry rather than rubbing, then apply moisturizer within five minutes of washing.
3. 3Apply moisturizer at least three or four times each day, and again whenever your skin feels dry or tight.
4. 4In the morning, choose a daily moisturizer with sunscreen and protect your skin from sun, wind and cold air.
5. 5At night, use a cream for a less greasy layer or an ointment for very dry areas.

An emollient is a moisturizer applied directly to skin to soothe it and hold in moisture. Smooth it on gently rather than rubbing; after a bath or shower, apply it as soon as you have patted your skin dry. Hands and face need regular moisturizing because they are exposed to the elements. Applying an emollient before gardening can help, and you can apply it before and after swimming, leaving time for it to absorb before you get in the water.2

If ordinary soap, shampoo or shower gel leaves skin feeling dry, an emollient wash can replace it. These washes do not foam like normal soap, but they still clean skin. Rinse and pat dry rather than rubbing.2

Choose a moisturizer by its texture

• Creams absorb quickly and are less greasy, so they can be easier to use during the day.
• Ointments are thick, greasy and very moisturizing, making them useful for very dry areas and nighttime. Ointments are greasy and thick, which is less a design flaw than their job description.
• Lotions spread easily and suit hairy or damaged areas, but they are not as moisturizing as creams or ointments.

For your face, choose products made for facial skin and labeled fragrance free. A moisturizer with ceramides can strengthen the skin's protective barrier; hyaluronic acid and squalane are other ingredients used in moisturizers for dry skin. Makeup and shampoo can also contribute to facial dryness, so include them when reviewing what touches your face.1

Do not scrub flakes away. Exfoliating can remove more than the loose skin and leave damaged skin that takes time to heal; repeated exfoliation can keep that cycle going. Use a soft touch when washing and moisturizing.1

Retinol and astringent toners can dry skin further. If retinol is already part of your routine, you may need to pair it with a product that adds moisture, such as one with hyaluronic acid.1

Where petroleum jelly fits

For a very dry spot, gently dab on a petroleum jelly product before bed to help replenish moisture. If your whole face feels dry, a thin layer over the face, often called slugging, can help seal in hydration. Use it on clean skin and only a small amount; it does not need to cover every patch of skin.13

Skip slugging if you have oily or acne prone skin, an infection or an open wound. Petroleum jelly can worsen acne, and a barrier over infected skin may keep the infection from clearing. Avoid trapping retinoids or exfoliating acids beneath it, since they can irritate skin. Slugging rarely needs to be an every night routine; if your skin turns red or irritated after trying it, contact a dermatologist.3

What to expect and when to get help

How quickly dry skin improves depends on how dry it is and what is causing it. Dry skin can be linked to cold, dry weather, sun exposure, aging, skin conditions, health conditions or medications, so a moisturizer may not address every cause.1

If you use a prescribed steroid cream or another skin treatment, leave 20 to 30 minutes between applying it and an emollient. Ask your doctor which one to apply first. Some ointments are suitable for sensitive skin, but ointments should not be used on weeping eczema. If an emollient wash stings and the feeling does not settle after rinsing, ask a pharmacist about another product.2

Stop and ask a GP, nurse or pharmacist about a product reaction if burning or stinging does not settle after a few days, or if you develop a rash or inflamed hair follicles. An emollient can sometimes aggravate acne.2

Contact a healthcare provider if dryness does not improve, if itching interferes with daily activities or sleep, or if the skin is wet and red or persistently pink. Excessively dry skin can crack and bleed; yellow crusts, pus, swelling or discoloration can be signs of infection and also warrant medical attention.14

Dry skin vs dehydrated skin

The terms overlap in very dry skin: excessively dry skin has lost a lot of moisture and can be described as dehydrated. Dehydrated skin can look dry, show more noticeable fine lines and itch. Excessive dryness can also cause flakes, rough texture, cracks, pain or stinging.4