On melanin-rich skin, dry skin is often visible. You can reduce the whitish or grayish-white appearance of dry skin by using a moisturizer with ceramides, which helps to seal in moisture.

The good news is that many people can effectively treat their dry skin at home. Take short 5 or 10 minutes baths and showers in warm water. Hot water and spending too much time bathing tends to worsen dry skin. Slather on a mild, fragrance-free moisturizer immediately after toweling off. Creams and ointments tend to be more effective than lotions.

Use gentle, fragrance-free skin care products. Dry skin is easily irritated, so deodorant soaps and products that contain alcohol or fragrance can irritate your dry, sensitive skin.

Apply a fragrance-free hand cream after you wash your hands. Do this every time. Relieve extremely dry skin by applying a cream or ointment throughout the day.

This helps to keep your skin hydrated. Wear loose-fitting clothes made of a breathable fabric like cotton. Tight-fitting clothes like leggings and rough fabrics like wool can irritate your dry skin.

If you have very dry skin, use an ointment like petroleum jelly or a thick cream. Petroleum jelly works by trapping existing moisture on your skin. Apply a layer of petroleum jelly to skin that is damp from bathing or on top of a lotion or cream. Sometimes getting relief requires a prescription-strength ointment or a bit of individualized insight from the skin expert.

All cause excessively dry skin. Some people who have darker skin tones live for years with an undiagnosed skin condition. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available.

Chemotherapy can cause side effects for your skin, including dryness, redness, and irritation. You can take steps to soothe and protect your skin that…. Dry hands are common in the cold winter months. Learn 10 tips for keeping your skin hydrated, and learn more about other causes of that dry skin.

Common symptoms of a skin allergy include itching, redness, and swelling. While prescribed and over-the-counter medications can work to relieve these…. The shower is the perfect place to give your skin the TLC it deserves, from head to toe.

Hopping in the shower isn't just about getting clean, it's also an opportune time to focus on overall skin health with a few skin-friendly habits. Your skin is the largest organ that you have, so you want to take care of it.

Get glowing skin from home with these 10 tips and tricks. One is a skin type, the other is a skin condition — and knowing the difference and what ingredients to use could completely change the texture of your…. We look into their products and…. A Quiz for Teens Are You a Workaholic? How Well Do You Sleep?

Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Skin Care. Medically reviewed by Debra Rose Wilson, Ph. Coconut oil Petroleum jelly Oatmeal baths Antioxidants and omega-3s Gloves Adjust your shower temperature Use a humidifier Avoid allergens and irritants Prevention. How we vet brands and products Healthline only shows you brands and products that we stand behind.

Our team thoroughly researches and evaluates the recommendations we make on our site. To establish that the product manufacturers addressed safety and efficacy standards, we: Evaluate ingredients and composition: Do they have the potential to cause harm?

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Read more about our vetting process. Was this helpful? Coconut oil. Petroleum jelly. Oatmeal baths. Antioxidants and omega-3s.

Adjust your shower temperature. Use a humidifier. Avoid allergens and irritants. How we reviewed this article: Sources. Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations.

We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy. Apr 18, Written By Sarah Taylor, M.

Sep 14, Medically Reviewed By Debra Rose Wilson, PhD, MSN, RN, IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT. Share this article. Read this next.

A Soothing Skincare Routine Before and After Chemo. Medically reviewed by Christina Chun, MPH. How to Heal and Prevent Dry Hands Dry hands are common in the cold winter months. READ MORE. Skin Allergy Home Remedies.

Medically reviewed by Cynthia Cobb, DNP, APRN, WHNP-BC, FAANP. Why Your Skin Care Routine Starts in the Shower Hopping in the shower isn't just about getting clean, it's also an opportune time to focus on overall skin health with a few skin-friendly habits.

Choose a lip balm 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. 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. These chemicals can irritate dry, sensitive skin. 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. 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. 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.

Add moisture to the air. Plug in a humidifier. 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. During winter months in the Northern Hemisphere, you may suffer from red, rough, raw, and itchy skin. This is because cold winter air means low humidity, both outdoors and indoors.

The water content of the epidermis the outermost layer of skin tends to reflect the level of humidity around it. Fortunately, there are many simple and inexpensive things you can do to relieve winter dry skin, also known as winter itch or winter xerosis.

Even if you live in a part of the world where cold winter air is not currently — or ever — a concern, most people will need to manage dry skin at some point.

These tips for keeping skin soft and healthy can help all who battle dry skin, from chilly New England to balmy Hawaii and beyond. Skin moisturizers, which rehydrate the top layer of skin cells and seal in the moisture, are the first step in combating dry skin.

They contain three main types of ingredients. Humectants, which help attract moisture, include ceramides pronounced ser-A-mids , glycerin, sorbitol, hyaluronic acid, and lecithin.

Another set of ingredients — for example, petrolatum petroleum jelly , silicone, lanolin, and mineral oil — helps seal that moisture within the skin. Emollients, such as linoleic, linolenic, and lauric acids, smooth skin by filling in the spaces between skin cells.

In general, the thicker and greasier a moisturizer, the more effective it will be. Some of the most effective and least expensive are petroleum jelly and moisturizing oils such as mineral oil.

Because they contain no water, they're best used while the skin is still damp from bathing, to seal in the moisture. Other moisturizers contain water as well as oil, in varying proportions. These are less greasy and may be more cosmetically appealing than petroleum jelly or oils.

For more advice on treating skin conditions and keeping your skin healthy, check out Skin Care and Repair , a Special Health Report from Harvard Medical School. As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content.

Please note the date of last review or update on all articles. No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.

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Oatmeal is common folk remedy for irritated skin. A study showed why grandmothers and great-grandmothers have been recommending this home remedy for centuries: It works.

Colloidal oatmeal has antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties that soothe irritation. You can make an oatmeal bath at home. Use a food processor to chop oatmeal into a fine powder, then stir it into warm water. You can also try one of the many commercial products available to make an oatmeal soak.

There are some foods that can help your skin appear healthier, according to the Mayo Clinic. Foods rich in antioxidants can minimize damage from toxins and help your body make healthy cells.

Some of the foods that contribute to skin health include:. Hands tend to experience the most direct contact with environmental irritants. These include dish soap and laundry detergent. Get in the habit of wearing gloves when your hands are in water. The American Academy of Dermatology notes that relieving dry skin is sometimes as simple as changing your shower routine.

While most people tend to take hot showers, these can scald the skin and cause damage. And some soaps that claim to moisturize and repair the skin can cause the opposite effect.

They can trigger allergic reactions and make the skin thinner with harsh chemicals. And look for soaps that are fragrance-free and gentler on skin than traditional soaps.

Keeping a humidifier in your home can help minimize the dryness caused by home heating systems. Though gas and electric heat strip moisture from the air, a humidifier set to 60 percent is enough to offset this effect, according to the Harvard Medical School.

Sitting by the fireplace, spending time in chlorinated or chemically-treated water, or even wearing wool clothing can all irritate your skin and make it feel dry.

Your skin is the first line of defense against bacteria and viruses. When your skin is compromised by itching, an infection can occur. In fact, maintaining a healthy skin barrier daily is one of the best ways to prevent outbreaks of dry skin.

Another essential skincare tip is to use a moisturizing sunscreen every day to prevent skin damage and dryness. Remember that extremely dry skin can be an indication of a more serious condition.

Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. Chemotherapy can cause side effects for your skin, including dryness, redness, and irritation. You can take steps to soothe and protect your skin that…. Dry hands are common in the cold winter months.

Learn 10 tips for keeping your skin hydrated, and learn more about other causes of that dry skin. Common symptoms of a skin allergy include itching, redness, and swelling. While prescribed and over-the-counter medications can work to relieve these….

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, Sunscreen FAQs. The American Academy of Dermatology. Saving face How to customize your skin care routine with your skin type. Accessed Aug.

Kermott CA, et al. In: Mayo Clinic Book of Home Remedies. McCook JP. Topical products for the aging face. Clinics in Plastic Surgery. Azizzadeh B, et al. Topical skin care and the cosmetic patient. In: Master Techniques in Facial Rejuvenation. Related How to heal cracked heels How to heal cracked skin at thumb tip Mayo Clinic Minute: Moisturizer tips from a dermatologist.

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Refer a Patient. But some risk factors raise your chances of developing dry skin, including:. While it can be common for your skin to dry every so often, some people may experience severe dry skin.

This can mean your skin is flaky, irritated, or inflamed more often than normal and can be hard to successfully treat. There are a few markers of dry skin that may point to a need for treatment or lifestyle changes. These symptoms can include:.

Dry skin can also cause acne, as blemishes sometimes occur when there is general damage to the skin. Also avoid any chemicals, such as rubbing alcohol, as it can dry your skin out even more.

In some cases, they may refer you to a skin specialist or dermatologist. Along with lifestyle remedies, they may recommend over-the-counter or prescription ointments, creams, or lotions to treat your symptoms.

If your skin is extremely dry, look for a petrolatum-based product. You might consider switching to a lighter, water-based lotion during the summer months. Lotions that contain grapeseed oil and antioxidants can also help trap water in your skin.

If you experience occasional dry skin, you can likely prevent and treat it using simple lifestyle changes and over-the-counter moisturizers. If you develop severe dry skin, make an appointment with your doctor.

If left untreated, dermatitis can get worse. Early treatment will help you to feel comfortable sooner. It will also lower your risk of complications, such as open wounds from scratching and skin infections. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available.

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What Causes Dry Skin and How to Treat It. Medically reviewed by Reema Patel, MPA, PA-C — By Kristeen Moore — Updated on May 22, Types Causes Severe and chronic dry skin Symptoms Can it cause acne?

Treatment Lifestyle remedies Outlook Dry skin develops when your skin loses water too quickly and becomes dehydrated. Types of dry skin. What causes dry skin? Severe and chronic dry skin.

Symptoms of dry skin. Can dry skin cause acne? Treatment for dry skin. How to prevent dry skin.