Dermatologists' top tips for relieving dry skin

The article was consulted with Specialist Doctor I Le Thi Thu Hang - Dermatologist - Department of Medical Examination & Internal Medicine - Vinmec Hai Phong International General Hospital.

Dry skin is common and usually not serious. Dry skin can occur at any age for many reasons. To help remedy dry skin and prevent its return, dermatologists recommend the following measures.

To help tackle dry skin, dermatologists recommend following these tips for taking good care of dry skin. When showering, be sure to:
Close the bathroom door. Limit your time in the bathroom to about 5 or 10 minutes. Use warm water, not very hot water. Wash with a gentle, fragrance-free cleanser. Apply enough cleanser to remove dirt and oil, avoid using too much. Dry the skin gently with a soft towel. Apply moisturizer immediately after drying the skin.

Ointments and moisturizers help provide extra moisture to your skin. To retain this much-needed moisture, you need to apply a moisturizer within a few minutes of drying your body after showering or after washing your face or hands.

Ointments and moisturizers are more effective and less irritating than lotions. Choose a cream or ointment that contains an oil like olive or jojoba oil. Shea butter also works well.

Choose a good lip balm for your lips. However, if your lips feel stinging, irritated or tingling after you apply lipstick, switch to one that won't cause this reaction.

Some products may irritate dry, sensitive skin. When your skin is dry, stop using:
Deodorant soap Skin care products that contain alcohol, fragrance, retinoids, or alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs). Avoiding these products will help your skin retain its natural oils.

Hands are often the first place we notice our skin getting dry. You can reduce dry, rough skin by wearing gloves. Put on gloves before you:
Go outdoors in winter Perform tasks that require hand contact with water Have contact with chemicals, grease and other substances on the hands.

When our skin is dry and rough even clothes and laundry detergent can cause irritation. To avoid this:
Wear cotton or silk clothing made of wool or other material that does not feel rough. Use laundry detergent labeled hypoallergenic.

If you feel too cold, you should choose other methods of keeping warm. Sitting in front of an open flame or other heat source can dry out your skin.

Use a humidifier, especially if you use air conditioning or heating in your home.

How can dry skin on the face be improved? Before starting to make this change of skin condition, there are some adjustments you need to make like the tips below. You should combine these tips together for improved skin.

Adjust the temperature of the shower faucet accordingly. Because hot water can dry out your skin by removing the natural oils from your skin.
Adjust bath time for 5 to 10 minutes. This avoids unnecessary water exposure, which can leave your skin drier than before you showered.
Avoid bathing more than once a day.

When choosing a cleanser, you should avoid soaps and cleansers that contain harsh cleaning ingredients like alcohol, retinoids, or alpha hydroxy acids. These unnecessary ingredients can dry out your skin and cause irritation or inflammation.
You should also be gentle when applying cleanser to your face. Use only your fingertips and gently rub your face instead of using a sponge or washcloth more often.
Avoid washing your face several times a day with cleanser. Over-cleansing can make skin drier. If you are suffering from dry skin, it is best to only wash your face with a cleanser at night. However, before applying moisturizer, you should gently wipe to moisturize the skin with a soft towel and clean water.
Exfoliate the skin 1 time / week or 1 time / 2 weeks.

Find a moisturizer that works for your skin and use it regularly, especially after showering.
Your facial moisturizer should not choose fragrances and alcohol, as they can cause unnecessary irritation.
To restore moisture, choose a stronger, oil-based moisturizer that helps keep your skin hydrated. Lip balm can help relieve dry, chapped, or chapped lips.

Exposure to cold weather can make skin drier. Try covering your face with a towel to avoid drying out your skin. Avoid rough, scratchy fabrics. Do not wash towels with potentially allergenic soaps.

Low humidity can be a factor in your skin becoming drier. Use a humidifier to increase the humidity in the room.

Do not wash with cleanser more than twice a day if your skin sweats a lot. Use a gentle cleanser and don't rub too hard on dry skin. Do not poke, or pop pimples. This will cause damage and take longer for the skin to heal. Look for "noncomedogenic" skin care products. These products will help unclog pores.

Make sure the bathroom door is closed and shower time is short. Use warm water (don't use hot water) and use a mild body wash. Do not rub vigorously when the skin is dry. Apply moisturizer after showering. Ointments and moisturizers tend to be more effective than lotions. Read ingredients on skin care products. Concentrated alcohol-based cosmetics and fragranced products can irritate dry, sensitive skin. Use a humidifier to create much-needed moisture in the air. Wear soft fabrics, such as 100% cotton. If you want to wear wool and other rough fabrics, wear a soft inner layer. Hand washing should help remove harmful bacteria and viruses. If you need to wash your hands often, hand-rub is a good choice. Apply hand cream after each hand wash. If your hands are frequently submerged in water, wear waterproof gloves to help protect your hands.

Dehydrated skin sometimes means dry skin. However, these are two different phenomena. While skin loses water due to lack of water, dry skin lacks natural oils (also known as sebum). When it comes to dehydration, it is considered a temporary condition of the skin.
By definition, dehydrated skin means that your body is losing more water than usual. In addition to not drinking enough water, it can also be caused by frequent urination due to drinking coffee or diuretics. It can also occur from excessive sweating due to exercise.
Unlike dry skin, dehydrated skin can cause the following symptoms:
Itching Dry Dark circles under eyes Sunken eyes Increased appearance of wrinkles Severe dehydration can also cause symptoms such as: :
Dizziness Dry mouth Fainting Dizziness Tired body Urinating less and less often Dehydration can become a medical emergency in these cases. See your doctor right away if your symptoms of dehydration become severe.

Most cases of dry skin respond well to changing habits and some home remedies. When you have the following signs of dry skin, see a dermatologist:
Your skin does not improve despite your efforts Dry skin with redness Dryness and itching that interferes with sleep You have spots open sores or infections from scratching You have a lot of peeling skin. Hopefully the information shared in the above article will help readers understand dry skin, causes and symptoms to have a direction to examine and supplement nutrients for healthy skin.
Vinmec International General Hospital is the address for examination, treatment and prevention of diseases, including Dermatology. When performing the examination process at Vinmec, customers will be welcomed and used modern facilities and equipment along with perfect medical services under the guidance and advice of experts. Good doctors, well-trained both at home and abroad.

Reference source: aad.org; healthline.com