Dry skin
Why do I have dry skin?
Dry skin (or ashy skin) is caused by many things. Hundreds of chemicals are all around us - harsh or scented soaps, household products, cleaning supplies, clothing. These can dry out or irritate our skin. Our skin dries out in dry climates because there’s less water in the air (low humidity). Dry skin runs in families. It can happen when you have thyroid, kidney, liver, or other health problems. Some medicines dry the skin. Finally, everyone’s skin dries out as we get older. Our bodies make less natural moisturizer every year we are alive.
How do I fix dry skin?
When you have dry or ashy skin, several simple things will help:
Switch to gentle soaps and cleansers (no fragrance): Dove (liquid or bar), CeraVe, Cetaphil, Aveeno or Vanicream.
Shower or bathe less frequently - once a day at most. Use a moisturizing cream to dry or ashy skin right after you pat dry before putting on clothes.
At bedtime, apply a thin layer of Vaseline or Aquaphor to dry or ashy skin areas.
To speed the process for thicker dry skin, apply urea cream (10% or 20%) to these spots and wrap the areas in plastic wrap for an hour. Urea is a mild acid that breaks up dead, flaky skin and helps it peel off gently.
In dry climates or when heaters are running, the low humidity dries out your skin. Run a cool-mist humidifier in the bedroom overnight or in your main rooms during the day.
For deep cracks (fissures), some people use super glue. After pushing the fissure closed (this often requires an extra pair of hands), put a strip of super glue along the length of the fissure - this helps the skin stay closed and prevents chemicals from getting in and hurting.
What is the difference between lotions, creams, and ointments?
The biggest difference between these moisturizers is the amount of alcohol in each one.
LOTIONS have the most alcohol, so they are thinner, less greasy, and go on easily. But lotions also very unlikely to fix dry skin.
CREAMS are a happy medium - not too thick and not too thin. Creams are the best for regular use to avoid or fix dry skin. Creams have some alcohol in them but less than lotions. My favorite creams are Vanicream Moisturizing Cream and CeraVe Moisturizing Cream.
NOTE: Creams include cocoa butter and shea butter. They are the fatty portion of the cacao (cocoa) bean or the African shea nut, both rich in fatty acids. These are great options, ideally with minimal added fragrance. Vaseline makes a great option.
OINTMENTS are the thickest. They are often just petrolatum (Vaseline) or a combination of petrolatum and mineral oil (Aquaphor). These have little to no alcohol in them and are the best moisturizers and the best for fixing dry skin. They are also the most greasy.
What if my dry skin isn’t getting better?
Usually, the steps above can help most people get their dry or ashy skin better. Sometimes dryness is caused by a medical issue or a medication. Talk to your doctor if you have other symptoms with dry skin. Sometimes people have sensitive skin or are allergic to one or more chemicals in clothing that touches their skin. If over-the-counter options are not working, look for a board-certified dermatologist in your area. If you are in or near Utah, see one of my excellent colleagues at the University of Utah or me virtually with Honeydew.
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The statements expressed and content of this website are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Readers should seek their own professional counsel for any medical condition or before starting or altering any treatment, exercise, or dietary plan. Please see our full disclaimer here.