Dry skin is a common skin condition in which the skin feels tight, rough, itchy, and appears flaky or scaly. Dry skin occurs when the skin loses its natural oils, which help to keep it moisturized and protected.

There are many possible causes of dry skin, including cold weather, low humidity, hot showers or baths, harsh soaps or detergents, certain medications, and medical conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, and hypothyroidism. Aging can also cause the skin to become drier.

Treatment for dry skin involves keeping the skin moisturized and protected. This can be achieved by using a moisturizer or emollient cream or lotion that is designed for dry skin. Look for products that contain ingredients such as glycerin, hyaluronic acid, urea, or petrolatum, which help to lock in moisture.

In addition to using a moisturizer, there are other things you can do to help prevent and treat dry skin, including taking shorter and cooler showers or baths, using gentle cleansers, avoiding harsh soaps or detergents, and wearing protective clothing when going outside in cold weather. It is also important to drink plenty of water and to avoid smoking and excessive alcohol consumption, which can contribute to dry skin.

If dry skin is severe or persists despite home remedies, it is important to consult with a healthcare professional or dermatologist. They may recommend prescription-strength moisturizers, topical creams or ointments, or other treatments to address the underlying cause of dry skin.

Dry skin is due to water loss from the outer layer of skin. It might be caused by:

• Heat. Central heating, wood-burning stoves, space heaters and fireplaces all reduce humidity.
• Environment. Living in cold, windy conditions or low-humidity climates.
• Too much bathing or scrubbing. Taking long, hot showers or baths or scrubbing your skin too much can dry your skin. Bathing more than once a day can remove the natural oils from your skin too.
• Harsh soaps and detergents. Many popular soaps, detergents and shampoos strip moisture from your skin because they are formulated to remove oil.
• Other skin conditions. People with skin conditions such as atopic dermatitis (eczema) or psoriasis are more likely to have dry skin.
• Medical treatments. Some people develop dry, thick skin after undergoing treatment for cancer, receiving dialysis or taking certain medications.
• Aging. As people age, the skin thins and produces less of the oils needed for the skin to retain water.

Try these tips to help your skin retain moisture:

• Moisturize. Moisturizer seals in water to help keep your skin's protective barrier healthy. Use moisturizer throughout the day, especially on the hands. And before going outdoors, use a moisturizer that contains sunblock or a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30, even on cloudy days. Apply sunscreen generously and reapply every two hours — or more often if you're swimming or sweating.
• Limit water exposure. Keep bath and shower time to 10 minutes or less. Use warm, not hot, water. Rinse and pat dry. Try to bathe no more than once a day.
• Use a gentle cleanser or allergen-free soap. Try a nonsoap cleansing cream or shower gel. Or use fragrance-free moisturizing soap with no alcohol or allergy-causing substances (hypoallergenic soap), especially if you handwash often. Rinse thoroughly and pat dry. Apply a moisturizing cream while your skin is still damp.
• Shave with care. Shaving can be drying. If you shave, use a lubricating agent before you start. Shave in the direction of hair growth, unless that irritates your skin. Use a sharp blade and rinse it with warm water after each stroke. When done, apply moisturizer.
• Cover as much skin as possible in cold or windy weather. Harsh weather can be especially drying to skin. Scarves, hats, and gloves or mittens help protect your skin when you're outdoors.
• Wear gloves. Protect your hands with suitable gloves when gardening, using harsh cleansers and doing other skin-drying activities.
• Rinse and moisturize after swimming. This is especially important if you've been swimming in a heavily chlorinated pool.
• Drink when you're thirsty. Drink noncaffeinated beverages each day to help keep all your body's tissues, including your skin, well hydrated.
• Bathe babies with care. For babies, using a cleanser every 1-2 weeks for bathing usually is enough. Otherwise, bathe them in just water. However, clean their diaper area with each diaper change. Apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly (Vaseline, Aquaphor, others) while the skin is still damp.

Dry skin often responds well to lifestyle measures, such as using moisturizers and avoiding long, hot showers and baths. If you have very dry skin, your doctor may recommend a moisturizing product formulated for your needs.

If you have a serious skin disease, a doctor may want to treat it with a prescription cream or ointment. If your dry skin becomes itchy, you may use a lotion with hydrocortisone in it. If your skin cracks open, your doctor may prescribe wet dressings to help prevent infection.