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Ever wondered why dry, flaking skin pops up without an invite? You’re not the only one. Dry skin is a common skin condition that can leave your skin cracked, red, and itchy.
Dry, flaky skin occurs when the outer layer of your skin loses moisture and natural oils, causing scaly skin that can sometimes flake away. This can be due to many reasons, such as genetic skin conditions and allergies; sun exposure and central heating; or using harsh skincare products that irritate your skin.
Read our expert guide to dry, flaking skin and discover tips and tricks to get rid of it here.
Why is my skin dry and flaky? 6 causes to know about
- Diet
Your skin needs certain nutrients to function correctly. If you’re not getting enough vitamin A, vitamin D, zinc, iron, or niacin, your skin can become dry. Similarly, a deficiency of essential fatty acids, like omega-3 and 6 (found in oil fish, nuts, and seeds) can lead to rough, scaly skin.
- Heat
It may come as a surprise, but heating devices in your home can contribute to dry skin flakes. That’s right, central heating, fireplaces, and space heaters reduce humidity from the air — and this environment can draw moisture from the upper layers of your skin. What can you do about it? “Humidifying the air can help to soften the skin and cushion the excess heat blow to the skin barrier,” says dermatologist Dr. Mona Gohara. - Skin conditions
Is your skin dry, scaly, and sore? It could be the result of an existing skin condition.
Eczema is a common skin condition that weakens your skin’s barrier function (which normally protects skin from irritants, the weather, and infections), resulting in sore, cracked skin. It typically develops on the hands, feet, arms, and the back of the knees. Psoriasis is an autoimmune disorder that affects more than 3% of the US adult population, causing inflammation in the face, body and scalp, leaving skin red, scaly, and crusty.
Where on my body will I have dry skin?
Dry skin is most commonly found on and around the face, lips, hands, feet, and elbows, but it can depend on the dry skin condition you’re experiencing. For example, seborrheic dermatitis, a chronic form of eczema, is characterized by scaly, dry patches on the scalp, upper back, or nose. - Environmental factors
Exposure to hot and cold weather can lead to dry, flaking skin. Why? High and low temperatures result in low humidity levels, where the air holds less moisture than normal — and as your skin tends to mimic the moisture levels of its environment, it can become thirsty and dry.
Too much sun exposure can also lead to dry skin. This is due to UV rays causing skin damage over a period of time, which can lead to actinic keratosis — a skin condition that can cause scaly, dry skin - Aging
YourAccording to the American Academy of Dermatology Association, by the age of 60, nearly everyone has dry skin. That’s because as you age, your skin’s sebum production drops dramatically. - Harsh skincare products
If you’ve found yourself asking: “Why is my skin so dry and flaky?”, you may want to look at the ingredients list on your skincare products.
“Harsh cleansers can strip the skin barrier of natural lipids and proteins, leaving it weaker,” explains Dr. Gohara. “Compromised barriers allow water to evaporate out and irritants to enter their way onto to the skin, causing dry, flaky, or sometimes even itchy or inflamed skin.”
She recommends using, “a hydrating, non-soap cleanser that will deposit moisture as it does its job. Bonus points if ceramides or other skin-identical lipids/proteins are on the ingredient list.”
What are the symptoms of dry, flaking skin?
Everyone experiences dry skin flaking differently. It can show up in multiple ways, including:
- More noticeable fine lines
- Skin flaking off and causing a rough texture
- Cracks, which may bleed
- Itchiness, which may make everyday tasks and sleep difficult
- Raw skin with painful and burning sensations
- Loose, wrinkled skin with a rough texture
- Skin infections (yellow crust, pus, swelling, discoloration)
- Peeling skin
When should I see my healthcare provider about my dry, flaking skin?
It’s important to visit your healthcare provider, dermatologist, or doctor if your dry skin is consistently itching and bothering you so much so that you can’t go through the day as normal. You should also seek professional advice if your dry skin becomes red, warm, swollen, painful, or changes into a rash.
How to get rid of dry, flaking skin
Here are some of the best ways to tackle dry, flaking skin. And whatever you do, don’t pick off any flaky or scaly skin! This will just make it worse.
Make sure you moisturize
Put moisturizing at the top of your to-do list if you have dry, flaky skin. You’ll want to put some time aside to pamper your skin each day — this will seal in moisture and boost the top layer of your skin with hydration.
What type of lotion or moisturizer is best for dry skin?
For optimal moisturization, Dr. Gohara recommends looking for the following ingredients in your moisturizer: “humectants like glycerin and hyaluronic acid; occlusives such as petroleum jelly or squalene; and emollients such as shea, or cocoa butter.”
Vaseline® Jelly is a petroleum jelly that relieves and heals dry skin conditions. Try our Vaseline® Healing Jelly Original, which can easily be applied to flaky skin on your face, hands, feet, lips, and elbows. Vaseline® Intensive Care™ Nourishing Moisture Lotion is another great moisturizer that provides 48 hours of moisture and softens and nourishes dry skin.
Lap up the lotion
Did you know that lotions are lighter on the skin than ointments and creams? That’s right, they hold a higher water content that naturally hydrates and absorbs into your skin.
Look to Vaseline® Intensive Care™ Calm Healing Lotion for your daily moisturizing needs. This dermatologist-tested lotion has been proven to provide 90% more skin moisture than untreated skin, plus it contains lavender extract for a calming scent.
Switch up your shower routine
Firstly, Dr. Gohara recommends limiting your showers to 5-8 minutes and using warm water (hot water can contribute to or worsen skin dryness, while stripping your skin of its natural oils).
Remember to use mild cleansers that are allergen- and fragrance-free when you bathe or shower, so that you don’t strip the skin of moisture and dry it out.
Then, slather on Vaseline® Clinical Care™ Extremely Dry Skin Rescue Lotion after drying your skin, focusing on especially dry areas such as your hands, feet, elbows, knees and heels. Bonus — it features pro-lipids and glycerin that work to heal very dry skin in just 5 days.
Try unscented products if you have very sensitive skin
Did you know that 60-70% of women and 50-60% of men report having some degree of sensitive skin, which can cause dryness? Extremely dry, flaking skin craves gentle skincare, which is why you may want to give fragrance-free products a try.
Meet Vaseline® Intensive Care™ Advanced Repair Unscented Lotion, which contains microdroplets of Vaseline® Jelly and is formulated with ultra-hydrating lipids, which fortify the skin barrier and help replenish moisture.
Medication
Your healthcare provider may prescribe a topical steroid cream for your dry, flaking skin if there are any signs of infection or if home remedies and over-the-counter medicines aren’t helping. These are anti-inflammatory creams that help reduce swelling and inflammation so that rashes and itchiness are prevented.
My skin is dry and flaky: How can I prevent it?
Protect your skin from the weather
Whether it’s hot or cold outside, the weather can dry out your skin. During the winter months, colder temperatures mean that there’s less moisture in the air, especially inside when the heating is cranked up. This is why Dr. Gohara recommends using a humidifier to prevent dry, flaking skin. Also, make sure you wear sunscreen with at least SPF 30 protection all year round — even on cloudy days
Keep your hands hydrated
Your hands go through a lot from morning till night — frequent hand washing, exposure to different temperatures. and constantly touching, holding or lifting objects. So, it’s no wonder that they can become dry and flaky. Try Vaseline® Intensive Care™ Hydra Strength Hand Crème, which hydrates hard-working hands and strengthens the skin barrier after just one use, courtesy of hyaluronic acid, Vitamin C and shea butter.
Wear lip balm
Don’t forget your lips! They can get dry and flaky in cold and hot weather, but luckily, they’re easily treatable. Simply use Vaseline® Lip Therapy® Cocoa Butter Mini, which heals and prevents dryness by locking in moisture for long-lasting hydration and soft, glowing lips.
Dry, flaking skin can be easily prevented and treated, especially through healthy skincare regimes, simple lifestyle switches, and being mindful of what you’re applying to your skin.
If your dry skin changes quickly and displays signs of infection, redness and swelling, always seek medical advice.
These articles provide general tips and information about improving skin health. They have been written by health and beauty writers. They have not been written by health care professionals and, as such, don’t constitute medical advice. If you have a serious skin condition, please consult a medical professional.
