For very dry hands, apply petroleum jelly liberally at bedtime and put on plain cotton socks or gloves. Use allergen-free moisturizing soap. For handwashing, use fragrance-free hypoallergenic moisturizing soap.

Then apply a moisturizing cream while your hands are still damp. In the shower or bath, try a nonsoap cleansing cream or shower gel, and use soap only in areas where needed, such as the armpits and groin. Avoid loofahs and pumice stones.

Rinse thoroughly and pat dry. Choose fabrics that are kind to your skin. Natural fibers, such as cotton, allow your skin to breathe.

Wool, although natural, sometimes irritates even healthy skin. For laundry, use detergents without dyes or perfumes, both of which can irritate your skin.

These types of products usually have the word "free" in their names. If these measures don't relieve your symptoms or if your symptoms worsen, see your doctor or consult a dermatologist about creating a personalized skin care plan based on your skin type and any skin condition you may have.

Dawn Davis, M. Olsen: Dermatologist Dr. Dawn Davis says that's because this odorless nearly colorless jelly is so versatile. Davis: It sits on top of the skin, like a greenhouse roof, so it's like insulating the skin so that it doesn't lose heat and so it doesn't lose moisture.

Olsen: One recent study called petroleum jelly the best way to reduce the risk of eczema in newborns. Davis says because petroleum jelly is chemically similar to proteins in our skin, it's also a good choice for treating everything from chapped lips to dry cuticles, hands and feet.

Davis: A lot of people also ask about using petroleum jelly in the nares, or in the breathing holes of the nose.

Olsen: Dr. Davis says you should never use it in the nose of infants and small children. In older kids a thin layer of petroleum jelly can even soothe a tender winter nose.

For more information, talk with your doctor or visit MayoClinic. You're likely to start by seeing your primary care doctor. Sometimes, you may be referred directly to a specialist in skin diseases dermatologist.

Here's some information to help you get ready for your appointment. Preparing a list of questions will help you make the most of your time with your doctor. For dry skin, some basic questions to ask include:. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products.

Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic Press. This content does not have an English version.

This content does not have an Arabic version. Diagnosis To diagnose dry skin, your doctor is likely to examine you and ask about your medical history.

Request an appointment. Mayo Clinic Minute: The many benefits of petroleum jelly. More Information How to heal cracked heels How to heal cracked skin at thumb tip Mayo Clinic Minute: Moisturizer tips from a dermatologist.

By Mayo Clinic Staff. Show references AskMayoExpert. Xerosis dry skin. Mayo Clinic; Dry skin. American Osteopathic College of Dermatology. Accessed June 11, American Academy of Dermatology. High WA, et al. Special considerations in skin of color. In: Dermatology Secrets. Elsevier; Accessed June 8, Kelly AP, et al.

In: Taylor and Kelly's Dermatology for Skin of Color. McGraw Hill; Accessed May 27, Kang S, et al. Cosmeceuticals and skin care in dermatology. In: Fitzpatrick's Dermatology. McGraw-Hill; Face washing Accessed June 9, Moncrieff G, et al.

Use of emollients in dry-skin conditions: Consensus statement. Clinical and Experimental Dermatology. Office of Patient Education. Care of Dry Skin. Dinulos JGH. Topical therapy and topical corticosteroids.

In: Habif's Clinical Dermatology. Accessed June 17, Kirkland-Kyhn, et al. Caring for aging skin. In: American Journal of Nursing. Atopic dermatitis. Accessed June 16, Sunscreen: How to protect your skin from the sun.

Food and Drug Administration. Accessed March 5, Pro tip: Use a pH-balancing toner before slathering on any serum. It will help your skin better absorb what you apply, therefore intensifying the benefits — a blessing for dry skin.

Your serum should focus on humectants, like hyaluronic acid and glycerin. They help draw moisture to the surface and retain water, the key to keeping skin hydrated.

Barrier strengthening elements like ceramides, peptides , squalane must also be on your radar. Or, for dramatic results, you can appeal to an intensive treatment with supercharged ampoules — we can't get enough of Babor Hydra Plus Ampoule Serum Concentrates , a 7-day hydration replenisher, a special treat for dry skin.

Next, you need a rich, thick, moisture-trapping moisturizer. You may have heard about occlusives and emollients, the heroes for dry skin. Occlusives are oily and waxy agents that form a veil on the skin's surface to hinder TEWL and encourage barrier recovery. The best examples are petrolatum, shea butter, argan, jojoba, and olive oils.

On the flip side, emollients fatty acids, lipids, oils, and butters aid in softening and repairing cracks. Is there an ingredient that does both? Yep, squalane is an occlusive emollient, chock full of fatty acids that replenish lipids in the skin — exactly what you need.

Exfoliating dry skin is a two-edged sword. Not doing it can allow dead cell buildup, flakes, and impurities that will make your complexion look dull, but overdoing might dry the skin even more. Dry skin needs a gentle exfoliator such as lactic acid. Lactic acid, the mildest among AHAs, acts delicately on the skin thanks to its large molecule that doesn't allow it to penetrate the skin, hence operating less aggressively.

But that's not it. Lactic acid has humectant benefits, too, meaning it pulls water into the skin, increasing hydration. The moral of the story? At Exponent, our mission is to set a new standard for effective skincare so you can cut through the clutter and choose products that actually work.

We packed our own serums with Quadruple Hydration Hyaluronic Serum that will help any parched skin feel quenched. Our Calm Revival Green Tea Resveratrol Serum is great for reducing inflammation and irritation. We also compiled a list of the best skincare products for dry skin from a plethora of products we've tested for efficacy.

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In addition to moisturizing, maintaining proper hydration and using gentle products are essential for addressing dry, flaky skin. Achieving healthy-looking, hydrated skin is a journey that requires consistency and patience.

Creating a skin care routine that focuses on gentle cleansing, moisturizing, and suitable serums, can greatly improve the condition of your skin. For a selection of facial moisturizers and serums suitable for dry, flaky skin, you can explore our facial moisturizers and serums page.

If you suffer from skin conditions such as eczema or dermatitis, using gentle products becomes even more crucial.

These conditions can make the skin more sensitive and prone to dryness and itchiness. It's recommended to consult with a dermatologist for condition-specific advice and product recommendations tailored to your needs. Cleansers for dry skin focus on preserving moisture and keeping the skin barrier intact to prevent further dryness.

The skin's microbiome refers to the diverse ecosystem of microorganisms that reside on your skin's surface 4. Dry, flaky skin often has a build-up of dead skin cells on the surface, which can contribute to a dull complexion and hinder the absorption of moisturizers.

Gentle exfoliation helps to slough off these dead cells, revealing a fresher and more radiant layer of skin underneath. This allows moisturizers, serums, and other skin care products to penetrate more effectively, maximizing their hydrating benefits for your skin 8.

While exfoliation helps promote cell turnover, it's important to avoid harsh exfoliation methods because they can lead to further dryness and sensitivity 3. To incorporate gentle exfoliation into your skin care routine, you might want to consider using a product like Cetaphil Extra Gentle Daily Scrub.

This scrub is specifically formulated to be gentle enough for daily use, helping to improve skin texture and reveal healthy-looking skin. A high-quality facial moisturizer is a cornerstone for your dry skin to help protect your skin barrier. A strong skin barrier can better retain moisture and prevent water loss 2.

Opt for moisturizers that are rich in emollients and humectants to help replenish and retain moisture in the skin, such as Cetaphil Daily Advance® Ultra Hydrating Lotion or Cetaphil Optimal Hydration Daily Glow Cream.

These products are specifically designed to provide intense hydration and nourishment to dry skin. By following these further tips 9 , you can help manage dry, flaky skin and keep it nourished and hydrated.

By following a suitable skin care routine with high-quality moisturizers, gentle cleansers and exfoliators, you can help prevent dryness and promote a healthier-looking, more nourished complexion. American Academy of Dermatology Association.

Dry Skin: Signs and Symptoms. Buraczewska Z, Skin barrier responses to Moisturizers, Acta Universitatis Upsaliensis. Digital Comprehensive Summaries of Uppsala Dissertations from the Faculty of Medicine. Uppsala, ISSN Rodan K et al. Skincare Bootcamp: The Evolving Role of Skincare.

The Cosmetic Bootcamp meeting, Aspen, DOI: Stettler H, Kurka P et al. A new topical panthenol-containing emollient: Results from two randomized controlled studies assessing its skin moisturization and barrier restoration potential, and the effect on skin microflora.

J Dermatolog Treat. doi: Gehring W. J Cosmet Dermatol. Milani M, Sparavigna A. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. Chen HJ, Lee PY, Chen CY et al.

Moisture retention of glycerin solutions with various concentrations: a comparative study. Sci Rep. Lucy Chen, MD is a board-certified dermatologist based in Miami, FL.

She specializes in Mohs surgery and cutaneous oncology. If the goal is a smooth, glowing complexion, having flaky skin on your face doesn't make things any easier—just ask anyone whose experienced foundation clinging onto dry patches.

Between over-exfoliation and using the wrong cleanser for your skin type, there are some things that may exacerbate dry skin on the face. Still, that doesn't mean there aren't tweaks you can make to your skincare routine , including using some of our favorite face washes , that'll pave the way for that ultra-hydrated complexion you've dreamt of.

We know tackling parched skin can often feel like an uphill battle, which is why we called on celebrity estheticians Renée Rouleau and Shani Darden, along with board-certified dermatologist and founder of Epionce Carl Thornfeldt to learn what causes super dry skin and how we can banish it for good.

Keep scrolling to learn expert-approved tips on how to fix dry skin. Meet the Expert. The truth is, you could be mistaking your dry skin for dehydrated skin. The difference? Whereas dry skin refers to a skin type just like oily or combination , dehydrated skin refers to a skin condition, according to Rouleau.

Dry skin lacks oil, can be a result of genetics, and appears flaky and rough. Dehydrated skin, on the other hand, lacks water, and appears dull and tight, says Rouleau. According to Rouleau, truly dry skin does not produce any oil or sebum. Blemish-free skin and tiny pores might not sound so bad, but the skin relies on oil to hold moisture.

Without it, your complexion may appear rough and flaky, and wrinkles might appear more pronounced. On top of that, if you experience flakiness and irritation, you can feel even more confident about your diagnosis.

If you're experiencing tightness or a dull complexion, or you've had a night of drinking which can suck hydration out of your skin , not to mention increase rosacea and acne , you likely have dehydrated skin.

or overusing retinol and acid serums. But don't let that keep you from exfoliating at all. Try these exfoliating pads from Kinship —they're made with glycolic acid an AHA as well as the brand's plant-based probiotic, meant to help maintain your moisture barrier.

Thornfeldt agrees, adding that when too much oil is removed from the skin, the protective skin barrier of the skin breaks down. Rouleau says that choosing a cleanser is the single most important step of your skincare routine because washing with a drying cleanser zaps the skin of moisture, which means you'll have to quickly run and put your moisturizer on to put back in what you just took out.

We're fans of this hydrating pick from Pacifica because not only is it sulfate-free, but it contains moisture-retaining hyaluronic acid for super plump skin.

After washing your face, Rouleau says to tone immediately with an alcohol-free formula like this one from Epionce and moisturize right away. Byrdie Tip. If your dry skin is experiencing flakiness, choose a hydrating toner that also contains soothing ingredients like aloe vera and rosewater.

Some people avoid using night creams to let their skin "breathe," but both Rouleau and Thornfeldt agree that using moisturizer at night is very important.

This is because night creams work best when the skin is in repair mode at night while we sleep, says Thornfeldt. During the day, our skin is in protection mode, fending off the day's disturbances think: UV rays and pollution.

This is the time when you can really tackle your skincare concerns in this case, dryness since your skin is no longer playing defense. This pick from Ranavat features a luxuriously rich consistency that's perfect for dry skin, along with a blend of anti-aging botanicals such as bakuchi seed and lotus flower.

Lotions, potions, and creams aside, your fix for dry skin could be as simple as plugging in your humidifier. Darden recommends this humidifier from Dyson , as it helps to keep the air clean and at the perfect humidity, which may help your skin to stay more hydrated and comfortable overnight and throughout the day.

Thornfeldt explains that a healthy skin barrier comprises a mixture of cholesterol, ceramides, and free fatty acids. For a product to really be effective for dry skin, the important thing is whether or not it helps restore the skin barrier.

In order for it to do that, it must contain oils—particularly the oils that are found in healthy skin. If you're worried about clogging your pores, Thornfeldt says that the product won't be pore-clogging if the oils are highly purified and do not contain contaminants. These cracks can make your skin sting and appear flaky, Rouleau says.

One way to combat fine lines and wrinkles? Protecting your skin from the sun—rain or shine. We're fans of this one from J. Lo Beauty since it's equally a moisturizing cream and an SPF. While it can be hard to resist the temptation of a hot shower, especially during the winter, you should be showering with lukewarm water.

Hot water strips your skin of moisture and can potentially damage your skin barrier, all things you want to avoid with dry skin. However, it's not just your skin that can be damaged by hot water.

The same goes for your hair. Hot showers can also strip moisture from hair. It may be hard to turn the temp down at first, but a lukewarm shower will benefit your whole body, and your skin will thank you.

Yes, serums, moisturizers, and skincare products designed to help dry skin are your best bet when it comes to flaky skin, but don't overlook the power of home remedies.

Making a DIY avocado mask , taking a milk bath , or moisturizing with plant butters, such as shea butter and jojoba butter, are all ways you can help soothe dry skin while using products from your pantry.

In general, dry skin isn't a sign of anything serious. It's typically caused by harsh soaps, weather conditions, or over-exfoliation. Because dry skin means your skin lacks oil, according to Rouleau, drinking water won't necessarily improve dryness.

Water may be more likely to help re-hydrate those with dehydrated skin. Coconut, avocados, fatty fish, and sweet potatoes can help improve skin texture and dryness. American Academy of Dermatology Association.

Dry skin: who gets and causes. Kazakevich N, Moody MN, Landau JM, Goldberg LH. Alcohol and skin disorders: with a focus on psoriasis. Skin Therapy Lett. Rosso JD, Zeichner J, Alexis A, Cohen D, Berson D.

Understanding the epidermal barrier in healthy and compromised skin: clinically relevant information for the dermatology practitioner: proceedings of an expert panel roundtable meeting. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. Draelos ZD, Diaz I, Namkoong J, Wu J, Boyd T. Efficacy evaluation of a topical hyaluronic acid serum in facial photoaging.

Dermatol Ther Heidelb. Lee MH, Nam TG, Lee I, et al.