Dermatologists Share Their Top 10 Tips for Soothing Dry, Itchy Skin
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2. Skip the Long, Hot Soaks in the Tub — They’re Sucking the Moisture From Your Skin
At the end of a long day, nothing beats a long, hot shower or soak in a steamy bath.
But if you’re dealing with dry, itchy skin, you’ll want to rethink your wind-down routine — and shorten your bathing time. According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), people with dry skin should take showers that last only 5 to 10 minutes. Longer showers can remove moisture from your skin.
Furthermore, the temperature of your shower or bath matters. Simply put, “The longer the shower, the hotter the water, the greater the evaporation sucks out the natural moisture of the skin — leaving it dry, scaly, and wrinkled,” says Leffell. Kwatra adds, “Lukewarm water is best for bathing.”
To put a further damper on things, skip the bubble bath, too, which the National Eczema Association (NEA) reports can also irritate the skin. Leffell says this is due to soapsuds disrupting the skin barrier and causing moisture loss.
RELATED: 10 Surprising Causes of Dry Skin to Avoid
3. Slather a Thick Cream or Ointment on Your Skin Right After Bathing
Once your shower is done, there’s a crucial step you can take to ensure that your dry skin gets the hydration it needs. “After bathing in tepid water, moisturize immediately to help trap water in the surface cells, then pat dry,” says J. Morgan O’Donoghue, MD, a dermatologist in Sarasota, Florida. Waiting too long after your shower to apply moisturizer can cause your skin to get dry and irritated.
When choosing your moisturizer, skip thin lotions, at least while your skin is super dry. “Cream-based moisturizers are best for dry skin,” says Kwatra, because they help lock in more moisture. One option is Aveeno, and if you have severely dry skin, Leffell recommends thinking about an ointment like Aquaphor.
Another option to consider is using a post-shower oil, which prevents water from evaporating on your skin. Make sure any oil, ointment, or cream is fragrance-free because added fragrances can irritate dry, sensitive skin.
4. Moisturize the Air in Your Living Space
Just as it’s crucial for you to moisturize your skin, it’s also important to make sure there’s enough moisture in your air. Low humidity can lead to dry skin and irritate your nasal passages. Aim for a 30 to 50 percent humidity level, but adjust as needed. “Any increase over the actual humidity in the room should help,” adds Leffell.
To gauge the humidity level in your home, buy a simple hygrometer that measures the humidity, recommends the Cleveland Clinic. These can be found online or at a local hardware store. If your air isn’t humid enough, invest in a humidifier that can be easily cleaned. The Cleveland Clinic warns that it’s essential to properly clean a humidifier by changing the water in the tank each day to prevent bacteria growth and washing the bucket as well as the filter every two or three days. For a humidifier, Leffell recommends a product that, at a minimum, can humidify the bedroom so you at least get about eight hours of less dry air. One option is Vicks Filter-Free Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier.
Also, be mindful of the overall temperature in your house. “Keep the temperature in the room as low as tolerable because hot air itself is drying,” says Leffell.
RELATED: Top 10 Tips for Healthy Winter Skin
5. Wear Skin-Loving Fabrics Like Cotton — and Avoid Irritating Materials Such as Wool
It’s time for a closet makeover, especially if you’ve got a case of dry, itchy skin. Kwatra recommends cotton-based clothing, since the material is good at absorbing sweat. “Some fabrics, such as wool, can worsen itching,” he says, and other fabrics may irritate your skin as well. The NEA notes that spandex can be a culprit. So pay attention to what clothes might be causing your itchy outbreaks, then donate or recycle them.
And just like you want to go fragrance-free with your cleanser and moisturizer, it’s important to choose fragrance-free laundry detergents. Last, skip the fabric softener, which can be irritating.
6. Shield Your Skin From Sun Damage, Which Can Increase Itchiness
Warm rays can do a number on your skin, especially if you stay out in the sun and don’t protect your skin properly. “Chronically sun-damaged skin has a poor stratum corneum, so sun-damaged skin is likely to be drier and thus more itchy at times,” says Leffell. According to Harvard Health Publishing, chronic sun damage can even happen to younger people.
Then there are other sun-skin problems. “Acute sun injury — from a sunburn, for example — makes the skin dry and itchy for other reasons: The stratum corneum has been physically damaged,” Leffell says.
So for your skin’s sake, stay safe when outdoors. The American Cancer Society (ACS) recommends seeking shade when you can and wearing appropriate coverage: a hat, long pants, a long-sleeve shirt (some clothes are even made with built-in UV protection), sunglasses, and sunscreen. The ACS suggests avoiding going out in the middle of the day, when UV rays are the strongest (between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.).
In terms of sunscreen, the ACS says to look for water-resistant products that have broad-spectrum protection, which shields you from both UVA and UVB rays, with an SPF of at least 30 or higher. Then don’t forget to reapply as indicated on the label.
RELATED: How to Guard Your Skin Against Environmental Damage
7. Build a Balanced, Plant-Based Diet to Help Fight Inflammation
A diet rich in vegetables, fruits, grains, seeds, and nuts — the makings of a plant-based menu — is good for you inside and out. For example, fruits and vegetables can protect your skin from itch-inducing sun damage, according to the Cleveland Clinic. “These foods also contain very important good bacteria to strengthen your microbiome, which we are learning is associated with skin inflammation,” says Kwatra. Research has found that an impaired microbiome can play a role in inflammatory skin diseases from eczema to psoriasis.
Also, consider eating more seafood. Fish with omega-3 fatty acids can help fight inflammation that the Cleveland Clinic says is associated with dry, itchy skin.
Overall, aim for balance. Certain nutrient deficiencies (like a lack of protein, vitamin C, or zinc) can cause dryness and flakiness.
8. Follow Healthy Habits to Keep Skin Inflammation Further at Bay
Have you always wanted to quit smoking? Better skin care may give you the motivation you need.
Besides its obvious health risks, smoking damages the skin. “Nicotine can cause blood vessels to constrict and reduce blood flow to the skin, causing drier skin — yet another reason to quit smoking,” says Kwatra. On top of that, smoking can hasten the aging process of your skin, leading to issues like early wrinkles, puffiness below your eyes, and an uneven skin complexion.
Also, banking enough sleep is beneficial for your skin. That’s because a lack of shut-eye can release the stress hormone cortisol which leads to inflammation of the skin and, potentially, flare-ups of acne, psoriasis, and eczema.
You might want to consider exercising, too. While the NEA points out that sweat may trigger flare-ups for some people with eczema, movement may be influential because it supports immunity and quality sleep. The NEA recommends showering directly after you exercise.
9. Soothe Dry Feet With This Easy Nighttime Routine
Don’t ignore dry feet or cracked heels. According to the Mayo Clinic, dry cracks in your heels can lead to deeper fissures if left untreated, ultimately upping your odds of an infection.
To help combat dry, uncomfortable feet, moisturize them twice a day, the Mayo Clinic suggests. “Also, don’t forget the eight hours when you are not awake — moisturizing before bed will make a difference,” says Leffell. While this advice applies to the entire body, try the Mayo Clinic’s bedtime regime for dry feet: Soak your feet for a few minutes, use a loofah to lightly remove dead skin, follow up with a heavy cream on your feet, and then place your feet right into socks to allow the moisturizer to soak in.
10. Don’t Hesitate to Seek Medical Treatment for Seriously Irritated Skin
Dry skin may be a sign of something more serious, like eczema or psoriasis, according to the AAD. See a board-certified dermatologist if you have one or more of the following symptoms, says Dr. O’Donoghue:
Your skin doesn’t improve in spite of your best efforts.
Dryness and itching are severe enough to keep you awake at night.
You have open sores or infections from scratching.
