Quick Guide for Dry Skin: What to Avoid and What to Try

Published in

The Blueberry Post

3 min readFeb 12, 2022

By: Jasmine Chang, University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy Class of 2022

Dry skin is a common affliction many of us suffer with during the cold and dry months. It can look like flakey, itchy, cracked, red, scaly, and even bleeding skin. I have summarized below recommendations per the American Academy of Dermatology:

Products to…

AVOID

Alcohol-based. Alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA), Retinoids (ex: Differin gel)
Fragrance-containing
Wool or rough-fabric clothing
Prolonged exposure to sunlight

TRY

Top ingredients to look for: mineral oil, petrolatum, shea butter, dimethicone, glycerin
Fragrance-free
Cotton or silk clothing
Humidifier
Lip balm
Ointments and Creams (lotions are less effective)

Habits to Start:

Keep showers and baths short (5–10 minutes)
Try to shower/bathe with warm water instead of hot water
Pat/blot skin gently dry with a towel
Apply moisturizer immediately after showers or baths
Apply non-greasy hand cream after washing hands
Utilize waterproof gloves when exposing hands to water for a prolonged period (ex: washing dishes)
Dab petroleum jelly on your hands before bed for extra relief
Stay hydrated and drink plenty of water

Remember to see a doctor if your skin looks infected (red, warm, swollen), is painful, has a rash, or itches constantly and interferes with sleep or daily activities.