Dry skin on the body: shower rules and the best moisturizers

Dry body skin is mostly about what happens in and right after the shower. Hot water, long showers and harsh soaps strip away the natural oils that keep skin soft, and the right moisturizer at the right moment helps put that comfort back.

Quick answer: Keep showers short, about 5 to 10 minutes, and warm rather than hot. Pat dry, leave skin slightly damp and apply a fragrance-free cream or ointment right away, because these usually work better than thin lotions. Look for glycerin, ceramides or petrolatum, and urea or lactic acid for rough skin. Reapply through the day and add a humidifier in dry weather.

Why does body skin get dry?

Healthy skin has an outer layer that holds in water, a bit like a brick wall with fatty "mortar" between the bricks. Dry skin happens when that layer loses fats and water faster than it can replace them. Common triggers include:

• Hot, long showers and foaming soaps, which wash away oils.
• Low humidity, from winter heating, air conditioning, cold wind or a dry climate.
• Age. Skin tends to get drier as we get older.
• Rough fabrics and friction, such as wool against bare skin.
• Harsh detergents and alcohol-based products.
• Health conditions, such as eczema, psoriasis, an underactive thyroid or kidney problems.
• Some medicines. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if your skin got drier after starting one.

If your skin is very dry, itchy and often inflamed, see very dry, itchy, eczema-prone skin. For an overview of this skin concern, see dry body skin.

The shower rules

1. Keep it short. About 5 to 10 minutes of warm water is a good limit. Closing the bathroom door helps keep the air humid.
2. Use cleanser only where you need it, such as underarms, groin and feet. Water alone is often enough elsewhere.
3. Choose gentle products. Fragrance, alcohol and deodorant soaps can irritate dry, sensitive skin. A soap-free or fragrance-free wash is a safer choice.
4. Pat dry, don't rub. Leave a little water on the skin.
5. Moisturize right away, while skin is still damp.
6. Shave at the end of the shower if you shave, when warm water has softened skin and hair.

When to moisturize

Moisturizer works best when it can lock in water that is already on the skin. That is why dermatologists suggest applying it while skin is still damp after a shower or bath. Many people also reapply on their hands after washing and anywhere the skin feels tight or itchy. The NHS says to apply an emollient (a moisturizer for dry skin) whenever your skin feels dry or tight, and that you cannot overuse it.

See hydration and sealing for how water-holding and sealing ingredients work together.

Choosing a moisturizer

Creams and ointments tend to be thicker than lotions and usually hold in more moisture. Choose fragrance-free products, especially if your skin is itchy or cracked. Browse body lotions and creams for more.

Ingredients to look for

• Humectants draw water into the skin. Glycerin and hyaluronic acid are common examples.
• Barrier lipids such as ceramides are natural fats found in skin that help keep the barrier strong.
• Occlusives form a seal on the surface. Petrolatum, shea butter, dimethicone and similar ingredients help hold moisture in.
• Urea is a gentle exfoliating humectant that helps soften rough, scaly skin. Stronger urea products are for thick, hard skin such as heels. A pharmacist can help you choose.
• Lactic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) that also draws in water and loosens dry flakes. It can make skin more sensitive to the sun, and the US FDA advises using sunscreen with AHA products. Urea and lactic acid can sting on cracked or broken skin, so start slowly.

Extra help for dry skin

• Use a humidifier, especially in the bedroom overnight in winter. Clean it regularly so mold does not grow.
• Wear soft, loose, breathable clothing such as cotton.
• Use fragrance-free laundry products.
• Stay well hydrated. Drinking enough water is good for your general health, but moisturizer matters more for your skin.
• Take extra care of hands and feet, which dry out fastest. See dry hands and cracked heels.

Mistakes that keep skin dry

• Very hot showers. They feel good but strip oils.
• Skipping moisturizer after the shower. Damp skin loses water quickly.
• Fragranced body lotions on itchy, cracked or inflamed skin.
• Scrubs, brushes and strong exfoliating acids on very dry or broken skin. They add irritation. If you want to exfoliate, use a gentle product and moisturize afterward.
• Using a thin lotion on very dry skin. A cream or ointment is often better.

How long until you see results?

Many people feel more comfortable within a few days of using a good routine. Smoother-looking skin takes longer, so give it a couple of weeks of steady care before judging. If your skin is still dry after several weeks, or it gets worse, it is time to ask a professional.

When to see a doctor or dermatologist

• Dry skin that does not improve after you have tried these steps.
• Red, inflamed, cracked, weeping or bleeding patches, or signs of infection such as pus, warmth or crusting.
• Itching that keeps you awake or disrupts daily life.
• Itching all over without a rash.
• A moisturizer or other product that causes burning, stinging or irritation.
• Dryness that appeared suddenly or alongside other symptoms, which can sometimes be linked to eczema, psoriasis or conditions such as kidney or thyroid problems.

FAQ

Is coconut oil a good body moisturizer?

It can seal in moisture for some people. It is greasy, though, and not suited to everyone. If you get breakouts on your chest or back, a lighter cream may be a better choice. Patch test first.

Should I exfoliate dry skin?

Gently, if at all. Soft urea or lactic acid products can help loosen flakes. Avoid harsh scrubs and do not exfoliate cracked, sunburned or inflamed skin.

Does a cold shower help dry skin?

You do not need cold water. Warm, short showers are enough. Very hot water is the main problem.

Will drinking more water fix dry skin?

Water is important for your health, but drinking more is not a substitute for moisturizer when your skin is dry from the outside.

What is the difference between dry skin and dehydrated skin?

Dry skin lacks oil, while dehydrated skin lacks water. They can overlap, and the care is similar: gentle cleansing and a good moisturizer.

Sources

• Dermatologists' tips to relieve dry skin (American Academy of Dermatology)
• Dry skin (DermNet)
• Emollients (NHS)
• Alpha hydroxy acids (US FDA)