Dry Skin

Dry skin (also known as xerosis cutis) is a common malady that impacts almost everyone on occasion. Your skin requires a certain level of moisture to be optimally healthy. When something happens to reduce that moisture, it leads to patches of skin becoming itchy, cracking, and even scaling over. If left untreated, dry skin can persist for a long time, causing great discomfort. View our range of dry skin treatments to identify the right option for you.

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Dry Skin Treatments

  • Dermol 500 Lotion

    Dermol 500 Lotion

    • 500ml bottle
    • Antiseptic & moisturising
    StarStarStarStarStar
    £8.99
    22 reviews
    Dermol 500 Lotion
  • Dermol Cream

    Dermol Cream

    • 500g
    • Highly effective, Antiseptic
    StarStarStarStarStar
    £10.49
    26 reviews
    Dermol Cream
  • Adex Gel

    Adex Gel

    • Moisturises dry skin as well as reducing redness
    • Steroid-free option for treatment of dry skin conditions
    • Emollient cream designed for daily use
    StarStarStarStarStar
    £9.99
    6 reviews
    Best seller
    Adex Gel
  • Doublebase Gel

    Doublebase Gel

    • 500g pump
    • Locks moisture into the skin, Fragrance and steroid free
    StarStarStarStarStar
    £9.99
    9 reviews
    Doublebase Gel
  • Epaderm

    Epaderm

    • Cream, Ointment
    • 500g pump
    • Branded treatment,, Developed by dermatologists
    StarStarStarStarStar
    from £10.49
    3 reviews
    Epaderm
  • Doublebase Dayleve Gel

    Doublebase Dayleve Gel

    • 500g pumps
    • Twice daily application, Long-lasting, highly moisturising
    StarStarStarStarStar
    £9.99
    4 reviews
    Doublebase Dayleve Gel
  • E45 Cream

    E45 Cream

    • Reduces dry, flaky, itchy skin
    • Non-greasy formula
    • Clinically proven to soothe common skin conditions
    £9.99
    E45 Cream
  • Aveeno Cream

    Aveeno Cream

    • Hydrates dry, sensitive skin
    • Eases irritation caused by eczema
    • Moisturiser suitable for adults, children and babies from 3 months old
    StarStarStarStarStar
    £9.99
    7 reviews
    save £3.00
    Aveeno Cream
  • Eucerin 10% Cream

    Eucerin 10% Cream

    • 100ml tube
    • Urea, Intense moisturisation
    £9.99
    save £2.40
    Eucerin 10% Cream
  • CeraVe Reparative Hand Cream

    CeraVe Reparative Hand Cream

    • Formulated to help protect the skin's natural barrier
    • Replenishes rough and dry hands
    • Fragrance-free and hypoallergenic
    £5.99
    save £6.00
    CeraVe Reparative Hand Cream
  • Aveeno Dermexa Cream

    Aveeno Dermexa Cream

    • Enhances the skin's natural microbiome balance
    • Cleanses and deeply moisturises
    • Gives you healthier-looking, hydrated and resilient skin
    £10.99
    save £1.80
    Aveeno Dermexa Cream
  • CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser

    CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser

    • Gentle, non-foaming gel formula
    • Cleanses the skin to remove excess makeup and dirt
    • Contains hyaluronic acid to retain skin's moisture
    £14.99
    save £6.00
    CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser
  • CeraVe Moisturising Lotion

    CeraVe Moisturising Lotion

    • Recommended for daily use, even on sensitive skin
    • Restore the skin’s protective barrier
    • Allows the skin to seal in moisture and seal out impurities
    StarStarStarStarStar
    £14.99
    1 review
    save £6.00
    CeraVe Moisturising Lotion
  • CeraVe Foaming Cleanser

    CeraVe Foaming Cleanser

    • Gently cleanses the skin to remove excess makeup, dirt and oil
    • Hyaluronic Acid helps to retain the skin’s natural moisture
    • Niacinamide calms the skin
    £14.99
    save £6.00
    CeraVe Foaming Cleanser
  • CeraVe SA Smoothing Cream

    CeraVe SA Smoothing Cream

    • 340g tub
    • Salicylic Acid, 3 Essential Ceramides, Fragrance-free
    £17.99
    save £4.20
    CeraVe SA Smoothing Cream
  • CeraVe PM Facial Moisturising Lotion

    CeraVe PM Facial Moisturising Lotion

    • Lightweight moisturising lotion for the face
    • Suitable for daily use
    • Protects the skin barrier with 3 essential ceramides
    £12.99
    save £6.00
    CeraVe PM Facial Moisturising Lotion
  • CeraVe Hydrating Cream-to-Foam Cleanser

    CeraVe Hydrating Cream-to-Foam Cleanser

    • Strips away dirt and make up without stripping the skin barrier
    • 3 essential ceramides, amino acids & hyaluronic acid
    • Suitable for normal to dry skin, including sensitive skin
    £12.49
    save £3.00
    CeraVe Hydrating Cream-to-Foam Cleanser
  • Acnecide Moisturiser

    Acnecide Moisturiser

    • 50ml
    • SPF30, 24-hour hydration, Non-comedogenic
    StarStarStarStarStar
    £13.99
    1 review
    save £3.00
    Acnecide Moisturiser
  • CeraVe AM Lotion

    CeraVe AM Lotion

    • Daily Lightweight moisturising lotion
    • Protects skin from the sun's UV rays
    • Facial moisturising Lotion with SPF 25
    £12.99
    save £6.00
    CeraVe AM Lotion
  • CeraVe SA Smoothing Cleanser

    CeraVe SA Smoothing Cleanser

    • Exfoliates the face and body
    • Suitable for rough and bumpy skin
    • Removes oil, dirt and makeup
    £20.99
    save £6.00
    CeraVe SA Smoothing Cleanser
  • Zerobase Cream

    Zerobase Cream

    • 500g
    • Non-greasy, Highly absorbent
    StarStarStarStarStar
    £9.99
    2 reviews
    Zerobase Cream
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Advice for Dry Skin

What is dry skin and what causes it?

Healthy skin relies heavily on a layer of moisture containing water and sebum, a waxy secretion your skin produces to prevent the water from evaporating or being wicked away. The epidermis, which is your skin’s outer layer, needs that moisture to reduce harmful friction, keep the skin flexible and pliable, and stop harmful substances from penetrating it.

When that layer of moisture dries up, the skin begins to lose its elasticity and become more susceptible to damage. There are various things that can cause the moisture to dry up, including (but not limited to) the following:

  • Abrasion. If you sustain significant skin abrasion through general wear and tear (often through athletic activities) or simply scrubbing your skin too hard while washing, you can remove a lot of moisture and leave the skin drier and more vulnerable.
  • Skin disorders. Various skin conditions cause dryness through disrupting the regular processes that produce healthy skin. Consider issues such as rosacea or psoriasis.
  • Chemicals. Cleaning products, both those intended for use on skin and those intended for household chores, can sap the moisture from your skin. They can also cause skin damage resulting in additional dryness.
  • Ageing. The older you get, the worse your body becomes at maintaining healthy skin, leading to loss of moisture and overall skin smoothness (and raising the importance of using moisturising skin treatments).
  • Illness. Issues such as kidney disease or diabetes can lead to chronic skin dryness, making it worthwhile to get a full health checkup in the event that you develop a broad skin problem that seems extremely difficult to clear up.
  • Environment. Spending a lot of time in hot and dry conditions will impact the moisture of your skin, and it’ll be particularly bad if you’re outdoors in windy weather.

What are the symptoms of dry skin?

It’s often easy to tell when you’re suffering from dry skin, particularly when it’s on an area of skin that’s typically visible (on your face, for instance, or your hand). In other cases, though, it can go unnoticed for quite some time — at least until the problem gets bad enough that the symptoms become unmissable. It’s best to be careful and check your skin regularly.

If you notice any of the following skin symptoms, whether mild or substantial, think about what may have prompted them (and aim to address them):

  • Flaking or peeling. You may notice flakes of skin in your bed or your shower, or you may spot small pieces peeling away from your skin. The drier the skin, the more readily it will shed layers. Further abrasion will significantly worsen this, yet itchiness can make it extremely difficult to resist scratching.
  • Tightness or inflexibility. Moisture gives skin its ability to stretch and hold together. When your skin gets dry, you can experience a feeling of tightness and notice a difference when you manipulate it (such as when you open and close your hand).
  • Lines, cracks, or scales. Outside of certain areas subjected to frequent stresses (such as the palms of the hands or the soles of the feet), healthy skin is smooth and consistent. If a formerly-smooth patch of skin quickly becomes cracked and starts to scale over, it’s an indication that moisture is insufficient.
  • General roughness. Skin should feel quite smooth to the touch. If your skin has started to feel rough and abrasive (and there’s no sign of an injury that would cause scarring), it’s likely due to a drop in skin moisture.

Significant discolouration. Dry areas will look redder on light skin and greyer on dark skin. Look out for discolouration of this kind with no other likely cause (such as bruising).

How is dry skin diagnosed?

The main challenge when diagnosing dry skin is differentiating between a conventional lack of moisture (often stemming from excess washing or exposure to the elements) and a symptom of a larger issue. If there’s no particular evidence for the latter, it makes sense to opt for minimal treatment and see if that’s enough to resolve the issue.

A healthcare professional (often a GP or a dermatologist) will ask various relevant questions. They’ll likely want to cover any conditions you’ve dealt with, injuries you’ve suffered, and changes you’ve made to your skincare routine. They may also ask about whether the tendency to develop dry skin runs in your family, as it’s possible to have a hereditary vulnerability.

How can I treat dry skin?

The first step is to gauge the severity of your skin dryness. If it’s somewhat minimal, you’ll need to start using a moisturiser (or emollient): depending on the general oiliness of your skin, you may want to use an ointment or a relatively non-greasy cream. A treatment such as E45 or Epaderm will be fine for daily use, and won’t require a prescription.

Keep in mind that some treatments are made for specific areas. CeraVe offers various such products, for instance, including CeraVe SA Renewing Foot Cream and CeraVe Eye Repair Cream. If you’re dealing with dryness in one such area, choosing a relevant treatment will help.

If the dryness of your skin is such that no plain emollient will help, it’s an indication that there’s a broader underlying issue for you to address. You may have a skin condition such as atopic dermatitis, for instance, or even a skin infection. Seek assistance from a healthcare professional so they can assess your condition and suggest an appropriate course of treatment.

How can I prevent dry skin?

You can’t entirely prevent dry skin from bothering you, but you can make it significantly less likely to appear. If there’s something in the conditions of your life that’s lowering the moisture of your skin, look for ways to take suitable action. For instance, it might help to stay out of windy weather, raise the humidity level of your living area, or wear protective clothing.

And if you don’t have a skincare routine already, it’s worth adopting one. Wash your skin regularly but not so much that it saps the natural oils. Use emollients on an everyday basis to lock in the moisture. These simple actions will often be enough to keep dry skin at bay.

Latest guides for Dry Skin

How To Get Rid Of Dry Skin On Your Face

Scott McDougall
Written by Scott McDougall

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