Everyday skin
Dry skin
Dry skin (xerosis) happens when the outer layer of skin loses water and natural oils. It is very common, especially in cooler months and with age.
Reviewed by Raashid Haque, MD, board-certified dermatologist
For education only. This guide does not diagnose or treat any condition.
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A creamy, soap-free wash cleans without pulling more moisture out of dry skin.
Look for
- Fragrance-free and dye-free
- Labeled soap-free, gentle, or for sensitive skin
- Creamy or lotion-like texture for dry skin
Full details, cautions and sourcesAvoid
- Bar soaps and strongly foaming washes that leave skin squeaky
- Scrubs, rough washcloths, and cleansing brushes
- Heavy scents and essential oils
These are products Dr. Haque has reviewed and recommends for different reasons. Unless a product is clearly marked 'Affiliate link,' it is not one. Most are not.
Food and lifestyle may play a part in Dry skin too
Anti-inflammatory eating and lifestyleLearn about Dry skin
Dry skin, called xerosis by clinicians, means the skin's outer layer is not holding enough water. That layer works like a brick wall: skin cells are the bricks, and natural fats (including ceramides) are the mortar. When the mortar thins, water escapes and irritants get in more easily.
Who gets it: Almost anyone can. It becomes more common with age because skin makes less oil over time, and it is very common after age 60. People who wash their hands often, live in dry climates, or have certain health conditions are also more likely to have it.
How it can look and feel: Tight, rough, or scaly skin, fine flaking, and itching. Shins, hands, forearms, and the sides of the body are common spots. On lighter skin, dry areas may look pink or red. On brown and Black skin, dryness often shows as a gray, ashy, or whitish look, and any redness may look darker brown, purple, or hard to see at all. Cracks can bleed.
Course: Dry skin often comes and goes with the seasons and habits. It is not contagious, and it is not caused by being "unclean."
What it is not: Dry skin is a lack of moisture in the skin. It is different from eczema (atopic dermatitis), psoriasis, ringworm, or a medication reaction, although those can look similar or make dry skin worse. Some inherited conditions, such as ichthyosis, cause lifelong dryness and scaling.
Self-care
What it is
Limiting bath and shower time and using lukewarm instead of hot water, then patting the skin dry rather than rubbing.
Often considered when
Skin feels tight or itchy after bathing, or dryness is worse in winter or with long hot showers.
Less suitable or needs caution when
Not usually harmful. Some people with a medical reason for frequent washing, or who work in jobs requiring it, may need a different plan.
What to watch for
If dryness or itch does not improve after a few weeks of changed habits, the cause may be something else.
How long to judge it
Often a noticeable difference within 1 to 2 weeks.
Questions to ask
- Is my bathing routine likely adding to my dryness?
- How often do you suggest I wash given my work or activities?
What it is
Applying a moisturizer within a few minutes of bathing, while the skin is still slightly damp, to help hold water in.
Often considered when
Skin feels dry soon after drying off, or dryness is on the legs, arms, and hands.
Less suitable or needs caution when
Use caution on areas with open sores or signs of infection, and with products that contain ingredients you have reacted to before.
What to watch for
Stinging, burning, or new rash can mean the product does not suit your skin.
How long to judge it
Skin often feels better within days, but steady use over several weeks is usually needed to judge.
Questions to ask
- How soon after bathing should I moisturize?
- Which areas matter most for me?
What it is
Swapping harsh bar soaps and strongly scented or foaming washes for mild, fragrance-free cleansers or soap substitutes.
Often considered when
Skin feels tight or itchy after washing, or you wash often.
Less suitable or needs caution when
Anyone with a known allergy to an ingredient in a given cleanser. People with heavily soiled skin from work may need a different plan.
What to watch for
'Natural' or 'sensitive' labels do not guarantee a product is gentle. Essential oils and fragrance can irritate some skin.
How long to judge it
Often noticeable in 1 to 2 weeks.
Questions to ask
- Which cleansers do you suggest for my skin?
- Is hand sanitizer or frequent handwashing making my hands worse, and what can I do?
What it is
Adding moisture to dry indoor air, often with a portable humidifier in the bedroom, especially during heating season.
Often considered when
Skin is driest in winter, you live in a dry climate, or you spend most of your time indoors with heating or air conditioning.
Less suitable or needs caution when
Humidifiers that are not cleaned can grow mold or bacteria, which may be a concern for people with asthma or allergies.
What to watch for
Damp walls or windows, musty smell, or worsening breathing symptoms. Clean the unit as the maker advises.
How long to judge it
Effect is usually modest and gradual, over weeks.
Questions to ask
- Would a humidifier help in my situation?
- Is it safe for my asthma or allergies?
Over the counter
What it is
Moisturizers come in different thicknesses. Ointments (such as petrolatum-based products) are thickest and greasiest, creams are in the middle, and lotions are thinnest and contain the most water.
Often considered when
Thicker products are often considered for very dry, cracked skin and for colder months. Lotions may suit mild dryness or hairy areas. Many dermatologists favor creams or ointments over lotions for dry skin.
Less suitable or needs caution when
Greasy ointments may feel uncomfortable in heat or on the face for people prone to breakouts. Some people prefer lighter products for daytime.
What to watch for
Ointments and creams can stain clothing and make floors and tubs slippery. Some emollient products can add to fire risk when soaked into fabric, so keep away from open flame and smoking.
How long to judge it
Dryness often eases within 1 to 2 weeks of regular use.
Questions to ask
- Would an ointment, cream, or lotion suit my skin and lifestyle best?
- Should I use a different product on my hands than on my body?
What it is
Humectants draw water into the skin. Common ones include glycerin, hyaluronic acid, urea, and lactic acid. Emollients (like shea butter) soften and smooth the skin, and occlusives (like petrolatum) form a seal that slows water loss. Many moisturizers combine all three.
Often considered when
Often considered for rough, scaly, or thickened dry skin, such as on heels, elbows, and shins. Urea and lactic acid products are widely sold without a prescription.
Less suitable or needs caution when
Urea and lactic acid can sting on cracked or inflamed skin, and may be less comfortable for people with very sensitive skin or eczema flares.
What to watch for
Stinging, burning, or redness after applying. A clinician can advise if it persists.
How long to judge it
Several weeks of regular use to judge roughness.
Questions to ask
- Would a product with urea or lactic acid make sense for my rough areas?
- Are any ingredients in my current moisturizer likely to bother my skin?
What it is
Ceramides are fats that naturally help hold skin cells together. Moisturizers with ceramides aim to help rebuild the skin barrier.
Often considered when
Often considered when dry skin is persistent, easily irritated, or tends toward eczema.
Less suitable or needs caution when
Costs vary widely, and a plain, fragrance-free ointment or cream is also a reasonable choice. Anyone allergic to a specific ingredient should check labels.
What to watch for
Fragrance or other added ingredients can still cause stinging or rash in sensitive skin.
How long to judge it
Several weeks of regular use.
Questions to ask
- Is a ceramide product worth it for me, or would a simpler one work?
- What should I look for on the label if my skin is sensitive?
Prescription creams and gels
What it is
If a clinician finds eczema, a skin barrier disorder, or another cause, they may discuss prescription creams or ointments, such as topical corticosteroids or non-steroid anti-inflammatory creams. For thick scaling, stronger keratolytic (scale-softening) products may be discussed.
Often considered when
Often considered when skin is red, itchy, inflamed, or cracked despite steady moisturizing, or when a specific skin condition is diagnosed.
Less suitable or needs caution when
Not meant for plain dry skin that is improving with self-care. Suitability depends on age, body area, pregnancy, and other medicines.
What to watch for
Thinning, irritation, or color change in treated skin, or skin that is not improving. Follow your clinician's directions.
How long to judge it
A clinician usually reviews response within a few weeks.
Questions to ask
- Do I have plain dry skin, or something like eczema?
- If a prescription is considered, what should I watch for?
- Would any tests for an underlying cause be helpful?
- Cold, dry air and indoor heating or air conditioning, which pull moisture from the air and the skin.
- Long, hot showers and baths, and frequent washing.
- Harsh soaps, detergents, and heavy scrubbing, which strip natural oils.
- Frequent handwashing or wet work, such as nursing or hairstyling.
- Age, because skin thins and makes less oil.
- Some medicines, such as diuretics (water pills) or retinoids.
- Underlying conditions, including an underactive thyroid, chronic kidney disease, and diabetes, as well as skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis.
- Inherited dryness, such as ichthyosis, which often runs in families.
| Topic | Evidence | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Drinking water | Early | Drinking enough fluids matters for health, but there is little good evidence that drinking extra water fixes dry skin in people who are already well hydrated. Moisturizing and gentler bathing have stronger support. |
| Sleep and itch | Promising | Itch often feels worse at night, and poor sleep can make itch feel stronger. Keeping skin moisturized in the evening and the bedroom comfortable may help some people rest better. |
| Diet and healthy fats | Early | Some studies suggest omega-3 fats may help skin, but the evidence for dry skin is limited. A balanced diet is reasonable. Avoid strict or restrictive diets for dry skin without talking to a clinician, since they can cause other problems. |
| Stress and scratching | Promising | Stress can make itch feel worse for some people, and scratching can damage the skin barrier and lead to more dryness. Relaxation, breaks from screens, and cool compresses are low-risk ideas, but they are not a substitute for skin care. |
Read: Anti-inflammatory eating
Avoid very restrictive diets, especially for children, unless a clinician is guiding you.
Dry skin ·
When to get care soon
- Dry skin that does not improve after a few weeks of steady gentle care
- Intense itching that keeps you awake or disrupts daily life
- Red, inflamed, weepy, or crusted patches, which can point to eczema or infection
- Open sores, deep cracks that bleed, or signs of infection such as warmth, swelling, pus, spreading redness, or fever
- Large areas of scaly or peeling skin, or dryness that appears suddenly
- Dryness along with other symptoms such as unusual tiredness, weight change, feeling cold, increased thirst, or swelling
- Dry, scaly skin in a baby, or dryness that began very early in life
About the reviewer
Raashid Haque, MD
Board Certified Dermatologist · Charlotte, NC
- 25+ years of clinical experience
- Dermatology at University of Oklahoma - Chief Resident
- Internship at Baylor College of Medicine
- LSU School of Medicine Shreveport - Valedictorian, AOA