Itchy, tight, flaky skin that’s about as supple as a month-old rice cake can affect more than your appearance — severely dry skin can also be painful. But even if you have the best treatment intentions, you might inadvertently be sabotaging your complexion. What are the most common mistakes people make when treating dry skin, and what are the smartest solutions? We asked experts to weigh in.

1. Mistake #1: Confusing dehydrated skin with dry skin.

“The most common mistake people make is thinking that their skin is dry when it’s really dehydrated. Dry skin is actually very rare,” says celebrity esthetician Joanna Czech, who works on numerous A-list faces. How can you tell the difference? “Dry skin has very tiny pores and is rather tight. Dehydrated skin lacks luster and shine, and can be flaky.”

Smart Solution: Start a smart moisturizing strategy.
Apply a rich moisturizer twice a day. In the morning, it’s essential to nourish your skin to replace the water you’ve lost overnight, and in the evening, it locks in moisture after you wash your face — which helps repair your skin while you sleep. Likewise, whether you’re dry or oily, you want to avoid sun damage at all costs, so apply sunscreen daily.

You also need to target delicate areas like the eyes and lips that tend to lack moisture and develop fine lines, Czech says. A gentle yet hydrating eye cream can make lines less prevalent, and lip balm will replace moisture. Look for ingredients such as shea butter and sweet almond oil.


     2. Mistake #2: Exfoliating aggressively.
Those with dry skin may turn to exfoliation to clear away flakes, but that’s not the best tactic. “A common mistake that people make is to try to scrub off the flakes because their skin looks dull and flaky,” says Jessica Wu, MD, assistant clinical professor of dermatology at the University of Southern California Medical School and a dermatologist in Los Angeles. “This can lead to irritation. Over-scrubbing can actually make skin more inflamed and cause it to produce even more skin to repair itself.” Peels and harsh cleansers can have the same results.

Smart Solution: Treat your skin to TLC.
Although you might be tempted to wash with a face scrub every time you’re in the shower, using a gentle scrub once a week will do the trick. “Everything in moderation,” Czech advises. Avoid gel cleansers and foaming products with sulfates; they can contain harsh detergents that strip your skin of much-needed moisture.

To begin your day, Dr. Wu says, a little water will get the job done. Your skin usually doesn’t get dirty enough when you sleep to warrant a morning cleansing (assuming that you’ve removed your makeup the night before).

     3. Mistake #3: Using products that are too rich or heavy for your skin.
Wei Lang, a celebrity esthetician and owner of Wei Lang Spa in New York, says that most dry-skin sufferers use the wrong products: “People who have dehydrated or dry skin often use creams that are extremely rich and heavy. The molecules of these products are rather large, and it’s hard for them to penetrate properly — meaning the product just sits on the skin and can’t really do any good.”

Smart Solution: Look for targeted treatments rather than heavy balms.
“A good serum has smaller molecules that allow it to penetrate and add much-needed moisture ahead of your moisturizer, locking it in and creating a good layer of hydration,”

Properly hydrated skin is beautiful: soft and smooth. But dehydrated skin — also known as dry skin, xerosis, and winter itch — is dull and rough. Not only can it look awful — especially if it leads to severe flaking, deep cracks, or inflamed pink or red patches — but it can also feel awful, especially if it causes such intense itching that you feel clad head to toe in wool.




Fortunately, most cases of dry skin are mild and temporary, usually the result of environmental exposures such as low humidity or harsh soaps. These cases can easily be prevented or treated at home. But severe or persistent dry skin may point to a more serious condition that needs medical evaluation and treatment.

The Causes of Dry Skin

Although dry skin can develop anywhere, it most often appears on the legs (especially the shins), the flanks (the area between the bottom of the rib cage and the hips), and the backs of the hands. Dry skin is especially problematic in people 60 and older because of the natural loss of protective skin oils.

Common environmental causes of dry skin include:

Low humidity. If you live in a northern climate, dry skin may be more noticeable during winter, especially if you have a forced-air heating system. But if you live in an arid climate, dry skin may be a problem all year long.

Frequent showers and baths. Hot water breaks down the skin's protective fats. So do harsh soaps and shampoos — particularly those containing deodorants and anti-bacterial ingredients.

Excessive sun exposure. Sunlight dries skin and exposes its lower layers to radiation that damages collagen and elastin fibers. This causes wrinkles, sagging, and the symptoms of dry skin.

Medical conditions associated with dry skin include:

Psoriasis , an autoimmune disorder that causes a buildup of dry skin and silvery scales.
Thyroid disorders, which can decrease the skin's production of protective sweat and oil.
Atopic dermatitis (eczema), an allergic condition that causes itching and inflammation.
In some cases, dry skin can result from a serious and potentially disfiguring disorder called ichthyosis. Other medical conditions that can cause dry skin include diabetes, malnutrition, liver and kidney diseases, lymphoma, and HIV/AIDS.

Home Care for Dry Skin

Simple lifestyle changes can effectively rehydrate the skin. These include:

Short showers. If you limit showers to five or ten minutes — preferably with warm but not hot water, and mild soaps such as Neutrogena, Basis, or Dove that contain added fats — you can add moisture to skin. Longer showers deplete skin moisture.

Moisturizers. Apply a moisturizer — preferably an ointment or cream instead of a lotion — within three minutes after bathing. Contrary to popular belief, moisturizers don't "moisturize" the skin, but provide a protective barrier that prevents water loss. Good choices include ointments and creams containing ingredients such as lactic acid, urea, hyaluronic acid, dimethicone, glycerin, lanolin, mineral oil, or petrolatum (also known as petroleum jelly). Also apply a moisturizer to dry hands after each hand washing.

Humidification. If the relative humidity in your home is below 40 percent, you may need to use either a portable home humidifier or one attached to your furnace.

Skin-friendly fabrics. Choose non-irritating fabrics such as cotton or silk. Washing clothes with unscented detergents may also reduce skin irritation.

Anti-itch strategies. Cool compresses or ointments containing at least 1 percent hydrocortisone may provide relief.

Antibacterial strategies. To prevent infection, apply an antibacterial ointment to cracks, especially those with a tendency to bleed.

When Dry Skin Necessitates a Trip to the Doctor, See your doctor or dermatologist if you:

• Experience no relief from home remedies.
• Have large areas of scaling and flaking, or a visible rash.
• Have dry skin accompanied by redness.
• Have open sores or infections from scratching.
• Have dryness or itching that interferes with sleep.