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Instead of looking at the brand, it pays to look at the ingredients. Good care for dry skin combines two principles: it draws moisture into the skin and at the same time seals it in. Two groups of ingredients take care of that.
The most effective is a combination of both groups. The overview below sorts the most important ingredients so you recognise them on the packaging.
| Ingredient | What it does | For whom and when |
|---|---|---|
| Glycerin | Binds moisture, very well tolerated and mild | For almost everyone, including sensitive skin and children |
| Urea | Binds moisture, dissolves calluses at higher concentration and has a mild anti-itch effect | For very dry, rough areas such as elbows, knees and feet; not on broken or inflamed skin, low dose on the face |
| Hyaluronic acid | Binds a lot of water, feels light | For a moisture boost, also with rather normal skin |
| Panthenol (dexpanthenol) | Soothes, supports regeneration, strengthens the barrier | For irritated, sensitive or stressed skin |
| Ceramides and lipids | Rebuild the protective skin barrier | Especially useful with atopic dermatitis and very dry skin |
| Plant oils, shea butter, lanolin | Replenish richly and seal in moisture | For very dry skin and the cold season |
These two ingredients appear most often and complement each other well. Glycerin is especially mild and well tolerated and is suitable for sensitive skin, the face and children. Urea is a classic for very dry and rough skin. At a low concentration it provides moisture, at a higher one it dissolves calluses and eases itching. Important: on broken, cracked or inflamed skin urea can sting, on the face low concentrations make sense, and with infants and small children it should only be used after medical advice. Here glycerin-based products are the milder choice.
What else to watch: with very dry skin, rich creams and ointments work better than thin lotions. Irritating additives such as alcohol, fruit acids and fragrances, on the other hand, do not belong in the care of dry skin. Rather choose fragrance-free products, as creams declared as unscented can also contain fragrances to mask odour. A quick look at the ingredient list therefore always pays off.
Besides the ingredients, the texture decides how well a care product suits your skin. As a rule of thumb: the drier the skin, the more lipid-rich the product may be. A lotion contains a lot of water, absorbs quickly and is enough for only slightly dry or normal skin. A cream is more balanced between water and oil and a good all-rounder for everyday use. An ointment is particularly lipid-rich and contains little or no water, which makes it ideal for very dry areas or for the night. In winter and on heavily used areas such as hands, elbows and shins, the care may well be richer than in summer. On the face and with rather oily skin, lighter textures that do not feel heavy are more pleasant.
With a few habits dry skin can improve noticeably.
Dry skin shows up differently depending on the body area, and the care may reflect that. On the hands, frequent washing, disinfectants and dish soap cause dry, cracked skin. Here it helps to moisturise after every wash and to use a rich hand cream at night. The face has thinner, more sensitive skin, so mild, fragrance-free products fit and urea only at a low concentration. The lower legs and shins are particularly often dry, especially in older age, and tolerate a rich, lipid-rich care well. The lips have no oil glands and need a lipid-rich balm, especially in the cold. Knowing which area tends to dryness lets you prevent it there specifically, rather than using the same product everywhere.
Children's skin is especially sensitive. Here mild, glycerin-based products are the better choice, while higher urea concentrations should be avoided or only used after medical advice. With atopic dermatitis a consistent basic care is the foundation. In older age the skin becomes drier by nature, because it produces less oil and stores water less well. Gentle cleansing, regular and rich moisturising and attention to the lower legs prevent cracks and discomfort. Since dry aging skin itches and cracks more easily, consistent, mild care is especially important here.
Dry skin often itches because the weakened barrier reacts more sensitively to stimuli. This usually improves with good care. In some cases medical advice makes sense.
Have it medically assessed
See a practice if the skin stays very dry despite good care, itches strongly, weeps, becomes inflamed or cracks. Be attentive too if, alongside the dry skin, signs such as fatigue, feeling cold, weight change or hair loss occur, which can point to the thyroid. Strong itching all over the body without a visible rash can rarely indicate an internal condition and should be assessed.
If a skin condition is behind it, targeted treatment helps. Read more about the most common form in our article on atopic dermatitis. If you suspect an underactive thyroid as the cause, you will find background in our article on Hashimoto. And if the itching in particular bothers you, our article on itching can help.
Whether a thyroid medication, creams for atopic dermatitis or other remedies: brite helps you manage your treatment, get reminded to use it and check possible side effects.
A lot can be prevented by not straining the skin unnecessarily. Shower briefly and lukewarm rather than long and hot, and use mild, soap-free cleansers. Moisturise right after washing and use care on stressed areas preventively, instead of waiting until the skin feels tight. Protect your hands in the cold and when cleaning with gloves, and provide some room humidity especially in winter. Good sun protection and a balanced diet also support a healthy skin barrier. Anyone who makes these habits a routine struggles less often with dry, tight skin and needs less rich special care when it does occur.
Not every dry skin is just dry skin. If it not only feels tight but itches strongly, occurs in flare-ups and comes with reddened, inflamed or weeping areas, often in the elbow folds, the backs of the knees, on the neck or face, atopic dermatitis can be behind it. It often exists since childhood, and hay fever or asthma run in the family. Then a dermatology assessment makes sense. A consistent basic care stays important, and during a flare anti-inflammatory remedies are added. The earlier atopic dermatitis is recognised and treated, the better the itching can be controlled and the less often flares occur.
Several myths persist around dry skin. Drinking a lot does not make the skin noticeably more moist with a normal fluid intake, care from outside is more decisive. It also does not apply across the board that the more lipid-rich the better: what matters is the mix of moisture and oil, matched to the state of the skin. Frequent or rough exfoliation tends to harm dry skin rather than help it. And finally, dry skin needs care not only in winter, because sun, air conditioning and frequent bathing dry it out in summer too. Another myth is that expensive products automatically work better: what matters are the ingredients and the texture that suits your skin, not the price or the brand name.
The bottom line: dry skin is usually harmless and can be managed well with the right care. What matters are the right ingredients, mild washing and regular moisturising. If the skin stays stubbornly dry anyway or further symptoms appear, it is worth looking at possible internal causes, together with medical help. Anyone who knows the right ingredients can choose the care specifically and is no longer dependent on advertising promises.
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This article is for general information and does not replace medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Information on ingredients and care is kept general. With persistently dry, strongly itching, weeping or inflamed skin, or with signs of an internal cause, please contact a medical or dermatology practice.
