How To Combat Extremely Dry Skin
As a dry skin girlie myself, combating flaky and uncomfortable skin is a favorite topic of mine. Believe me when I say, I’ve spent countless hours researching the best ways to care for my dry skin, so I’m beyond excited to share my top tips to maintain hydrated, healthy skin. Whether you’re dealing with occasional dryness or chronic discomfort, this blog will provide you with the tools you need to restore your skin barrier and lock in moisture.
Why Does Skin Become Extremely Dry?
Let’s start with the most obvious question–why does skin become dry? Extreme dryness occurs when the skin’s natural barrier—the stratum corneum—is compromised. This barrier serves two key functions: it keeps water inside the skin and blocks external aggressors (aka allergens and irritants). When this barrier is disrupted, the result is transepidermal water loss (TEWL), leading to dehydrated, sensitive, and irritated skin.
Healthy skin maintains TEWL to minimal levels, thanks to a well-structured lipid barrier. However, factors such as environmental stressors, harsh skincare products, or genetic predispositions can increase TEWL, making the skin dry and flaky.
Common Triggers for Extremely Dry Skin
Environmental Factors: I think we can all agree that the lower the temperature, the drier the skin. Low humidity, cold temperatures, and wind strip the skin of moisture. If you saw my recent reel, this is why I am always recommending a thicker cream moisturizer in the colder seasons.
Harsh Cleansers: There is a reason I am always reaching for a gentle cleanser, rich in ingredients like ceramides (this one from Skinfix is a holy grail)! Soaps and cleansers with high pH levels (above 5.5) can damage skin’s surface and harsher gel/foaming formulations can strip the skin of its natural oils.
Here is a roundup of my favorite cleansers for dry skin:
Chronic Conditions: I should start this off by saying if you have (or suspect you have) any chronic conditions, you should absolutely reach out to your provider. With that, I think it’s worth noting that conditions like eczema, psoriasis and others impair the barrier, leading to persistent dryness and scaling.
Aging: As we age, natural oil production declines, and the skin’s ability to retain moisture diminishes. Aging also leads to a reduction in ceramide levels, contributing to dryness.
Sun Exposure: Reason #100,000,000 why I say always wear (and reapply) sunscreen. Prolonged UV exposure damages the lipid barrier and accelerates TEWL. Repeated sun exposure also depletes antioxidants and impairs skin barrier recovery.
The Science of Hydration vs. Moisturization
If you read my recent blog, you would know that effective management of extreme dryness requires a dual approach: hydration and moisturization. Let’s briefly discuss each (but if you want more detail, make sure to read my blog on the subject):
Hydration: In simplest terms, hydration involves replenishing water content in the skin. This is why we often reference humectants and glycerin when it comes to hydration, because they draw water from the environment and deeper layers of the skin to the surface.
Moisturization: On the other hand, moisturization focuses on sealing hydration within the skin and replenishing lost lipids. This is why I love slugging for dry skin, because occlusive agents like petrolatum create a physical barrier to prevent TEWL.
Building a Routine to Combat Extremely Dry Skin
I recently wrote a full blog on my favorite routine for combating dry, winter skin! But, I will share a debrief of a general routine I love for morning and night (for extremely dry skin):
Morning Routine
Gentle Cleansing: Choose a non-foaming cleanser with ceramides or glycerin. Like I mentioned, I love this Skinfix cleanser!
Vitamin C. Serum: Apply a vitamin C serum to brighten the skin and combat free radical damage. Vitamin C also supports collagen production, which can help improve skin texture and barrier function. I am obsessed with these ones:
Moisturizer: Use a thin layer of a rich, creamy moisturizer (don’t just slab on excess moisturizer. Focus on a nice layer of a high quality moisturizer)! I, personally, love any with ceramides, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid. Here are a few of the ones I always have in my skincare arsenal:
SPF: Are you even surprised? The last layer should always be sunscreen! Like I mentioned, UV exposure can exacerbate dryness by damaging the lipid barrier. Opt for a tinted sunscreen with hydrating agents, like this one from EltaMD or this one from Kosas.
Evening Routine
Double Cleansing: You can honestly use a cleansing oil or cleansing balm, whichever you prefer. I typically prefer a balm for dry skin types, as they are a little richer and more nourishing (this one from Elemis is so yummy and luxurious). However, there are some incredible oil-based ones too (like PCA skin’s cleansing oil)! Either one will dissolve makeup and SPF. From there, you can just follow up with the same hydrating cleanser from the morning.
Hydrating Serum: On damp skin, apply your favorite humectant. I like to think of humectants as “water magnets.” They are amazing for making the skin appear plump and hydrated. If you saw my recent reel, you know I am currently LOVING this serum from PCA Skin and this one from MANTLE, (Naturium also has a great budget friendly serum)!
Moisturizer: I like to switch up my evening moisturizer, but that is totally a preference thing! You can absolutely use the same moisturizer you used in the morning! Remember: a thin layer is all you need!
Slugging: I would say 2 days a week (mainly in colder months), I like to finish with a thin layer of petrolatum to lock in hydration overnight. Fun Fact: studies show that petrolatum can reduce TEWL by over 99%.
Other Variables That Can Help Extremely Dry Skin
Sheet Masks: Tbh the first time I tried these was to debunk their hype, but I ended up trying them and LOVING them. I literally wake up with the dewiest skin. I should preface that I consider these more of a quick fix than anything else and reserve them for nights before an event, etc.
Humidifiers: Maintain indoor humidity levels to prevent dehydration caused by dry air. There have been quite a few studies that have demonstrated that humidifiers significantly improve skin hydration. We use these ones by Canopy.
Dietary Support: The more I interview brilliant experts on my podcast (like Dr. Bryant discussing the gut-skin connection), the more I realize how much evidence there is to support the theory that foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids (e.g., salmon, walnuts) and antioxidants (e.g., berries, spinach) support skin barrier function and reduce inflammation. Need a skin friendly dessert? I got you! I think I have this yogurt bowl every single day (no joke)!
When to See a Derm Provider
I think it’s important to finish this blog by saying, If dryness persists despite following these strategies, or if it’s accompanied by redness, itching, or cracking, consult a derm provider.
With all of this being said, managing extremely dry skin requires a multifaceted approach. I hope these tips support you! Want me to cover this in a future podcast episode? DM me! I am happy to help!
**Disclaimer: This post does not constitute medical device. Please speak to your Dermatology provider before adding any at home procedures or products into your routine!
