Dermatologists' top tips for relieving dry skin

Simple changes can soothe dry skin

Following the same skin care routine year-round may not work so well when the humidity drops. Without a change in your skin care, dry air can make fine lines and wrinkles more noticeable. Dry, itchy skin can flake, crack, and even bleed.

To help heal dry skin and prevent its return, dermatologists recommend the following.

1. Use 5- to 10-minute baths and showers to hydrate your dry skin. When the humidity drops or your skin feels dry, be sure to:

   • Close the bathroom door.
   • Use warm rather than hot water.
   • Limit your time in the shower or bath to 5 or 10 minutes.
   • Wash with a gentle, fragrance-free cleanser.
   • Apply enough cleanser to remove dirt and oil but avoid using so much that you see a thick lather.
   • Blot your skin gently dry with a towel.
   • Slather on the moisturizer immediately after drying your skin.

   

2. Apply moisturizer immediately after washing. Ointments, creams, and lotions (moisturizers) work by trapping existing moisture in your skin. To trap this much-needed moisture, you need to apply a moisturizer within few minutes of:

   • Drying off after a shower or bath
   • Washing your face or hands

3. Use an ointment or cream rather than a lotion. Ointments and creams are more effective and less irritating than lotions. Look for a cream or ointment that contains one or more of the following ingredients:

   • Jojoba oil
   • Dimethicone
   • Glycerin
   • Hyaluronic acid
   • Lactic acid
   • Lanolin
   • Mineral oil
   • Petrolatum
   • Shea butter
   Tip

   ---

   To relieve dry hands, carry a non-greasy hand cream with you and apply it after each hand washing.

4. Wear lip balm or apply petroleum jelly to your lips. When choosing a lip balm, pick one that feels good on your lips. If your lips sting or tingle after you apply the lip balm, switch to one that does not cause this reaction.

5. Use only gentle, fragrance-free skin care products. Some skin care products, such as deodorant soaps, are too harsh for dry, sensitive skin. Dermatologists recommend using products labeled "fragrance-free."
   
   If you see the word "unscented," the product can contain chemicals that neutralize or hide the odors of other ingredients. These chemicals can irritate dry, sensitive skin.

   Dry skin? Stop using skin care products that contain any of the following:

   ---

   • Alcohol (except for hand sanitizer)

   • Fragrance, including deodorant soaps

   • Retinoids

   Avoiding these products will help your skin retain its natural oils.

6. Wear gloves. Our hands are often the first place we notice dry skin. You can reduce dry, raw skin by putting on gloves before you:

   • Go outdoors in winter.
   • Perform tasks that require you to get your hands wet.
   • Get chemicals, greases, and other substances on your hands.

7. Choose non-irritating clothes and laundry detergent. When our skin is dry and raw even clothes and laundry detergent can be irritating. To avoid this:

   • Wear cotton or silk under your clothing made of wool or another material that feels rough.
   • Use laundry detergent labeled “hypoallergenic.”

8. Stay warm without cozying up to a fireplace or other heat source. Sitting in front of an open flame or other heat source can dry your skin.

9. Add moisture to the air. Plug in a humidifier. If you can, check your home heating system to find out if you have a humidifier on the system — and whether it’s working.

When to see a board-certified dermatologist

Your skin should start to feel better quickly. If these changes do not bring relief, you may want to see a dermatologist. Very dry skin can require a prescription ointment or cream. Dry skin also can be a sign of a skin condition that needs treatment. A dermatologist can examine your skin and explain what can help reduce your discomfort.

Have a skin, hair, or nail problem?

No one understands your skin better than a board-certified dermatologist. Partner with the expert for the best care.

What is a dermatologist?

Related AAD resources

• Dry skin

Images
Video and infographic property of the American Academy of Dermatology.

Written by:
Paula Ludmann, MS

Reviewed by:
Sandy Marchese Johnson, MD, FAAD
William Warren Kwan, MD, FAAD
Sanna Ronkainen, MD, FAAD
Desmond Shipp, MD, FAAD

Last updated: 5/16/24