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Having extremely dry skin also means having extremely red, irritated, and itchy skin. Get rid of that discomfort by using one of the best lotions for extremely dry skin that we’ve outlined here!
What Causes Extremely Dry Skin?
There are a number of reasons why you might have dry skin:
Aging. As you age, your skin makes less sebum, the natural skin lubricant. This can lead to dryness, and if left untreated, worsen.
Medications. Certain medications may have skin dryness as a side effect. If you noticed the onset of your extreme dryness aligns with the timeframe you started a new medication, it’s worth reaching out to your doctor to see if that could be behind your skin discomfort.
Work Conditions. If you work outside in the cold or wind or regularly submerge your skin in water, you could develop extreme skin dryness.
Environment. Cold, wind, sun exposure, and hot water all exacerbate skin dryness. If you live in a particularly dry climate (such as at a high altitude), this may be contributing to your symptoms. Skin dryness also tends to be worse in the winter when temperatures drop and there is less moisture in the air. If you shower with hard water, that could also prevent moisturizing products from absorbing, leading to extremely dry skin.
Smoking. Smokers inhale chemicals that cause rapid aging of the skin, leading to dryness before its time.
Illnesses. Some medical conditions lead to skin dryness, such as atopic dermatitis, kidney disease, thyroid issues, or psoriasis. That’s why it’s always a good idea to consult your physician about extremely dry skin to understand if there is a medical cause for it.
Skin Type. Although skin type is generally affected by the environment and what your skin comes in contact with, genetics are also at play. If a damaged skin barrier runs in your family, you could be at higher risk for developing dry skin.
Products. Last but not least, it could be the products you use on your skin that are to blame. Hand soap or body wash with harsh surfactants strip away your skin’s moisture barrier, leaving it prone to extreme dryness and discomfort. You may also be sensitive to fragrance or other chemicals in the products you use, which can lead to dryness.
Hormones. For Females different times of the month change skin texture and tone as well as if you’re perimenopause, pregnant or event post menopause. Increase in testosterone can cause acne, decrease in estrogen during peri and post menopause can cause a lot of skin dryness.
What Can You Do About Extremely Dry Skin?
Luckily, you don’t have to grin and bear dry skin. Here are some tips for combating dryness: Understand what your triggers are, weather, climate, food, clothes etc.Once you are aware it is easier to tackle and mange.
Don’t Take Long, Hot Showers or Baths. Exposure to hot water damages the keratin cells on the outermost layer of skin, keeping them from functioning as a moisture barrier. As tempting as a long, hot shower can be in the depths of a frigid winter, try to resist the urge. Stick with shorter, lukewarm showers instead to avoid skin dryness.
Moisturize When You’re Done Bathing. Pat your skin dry when you step out of the shower and immediately apply lotion and moisturizer. This is because lotions and moisturizers trap moisture in the skin, so it’s best to apply them when you have the most moisture on and in your skin!
Choose the Right Clothing. Certain fabrics can further irritate the skin, making dryness worse. Opt for cotton and silk, especially under scratchier fabrics like wool. Make sure that you look for hypoallergenic laundry detergents as well, as the products you use to wash your clothing could be behind the dryness!
Cover Up Outside. When you go outside, especially in cold, windy, or dry weather, wear layers to protect your skin. This also means applying sunscreen when you spend prolonged time under the sun, as UV rays can damage skin, leading to premature aging and dryness.
Try a Humidifier. If you live in a dry climate, you may want to try a humidifier to keep the air in your home moist throughout the day and night.
Use the Right Products. Perhaps the most important step to take is using the right skincare products. That means avoiding ones with harsh ingredients that dry out skin, opting for unscented products when possible, and using moisturizers and lotions that support the skin barrier to minimize dryness. Luckily, the list of lotions we’ve compiled here is a great place to start. These all contain the most important moisturizing ingredients and none of the stuff that will strip skin of moisture.
What to Look for in a Lotion for Extremely Dry Skin
While there are lots of powerful formulas out there for dry skin, the best contain one or more of these moisturizing ingredients:
Shea Butter. This ingredient is one of the most powerful natural emollients out there and contains numerous benefits in addition to moisturization. It’s particularly helpful for those with eczema or inflamed skin and contains fatty acids and vitamins that nourish skin to good health.
Squalane. Squalane is a saturated oil derived from olives that mimic sebum. It contains lots of anti-inflammatory benefits and antioxidants and is fairly lightweight. This makes it a great ingredient for lotions, as it sinks into skin quickly, hydrating without leaving residue.
Jojoba Oil. Jojoba oil is another natural wonder, delivering penetrative moisture and a load of anti-inflammatory properties to quell irritation and swelling, lessen redness, and even alleviate the symptoms of eczema or rosacea. It also contains B and E-complex vitamins to fight skin damage.
Glycerin. Glycerin is both a humectant and an emollient, working in two ways to keep skin hydrated. It reinforces the skin’s moisture barrier, helping to restore its natural function to keep away extreme dryness.
Ceramides. Ceramides are naturally found in the skin, and when applied topically they encourage moisture and get rid of flaking and cracking.
Hyaluronic Acid. This ingredient has an almost unparalleled ability to keep skin moisturized, making it an ideal option for those with extremely dry skin. It’s especially great for those in dry climates, as it soaks up water like a sponge and draws it through your skin.
Oatmeal. Oatmeal is a great ingredient to look for in lotions for dry skin. It doesn’t just exfoliate, allowing moisturizing ingredients to seep into the skin, but also fights inflammation associated with extreme dryness and moisturizes, giving you relief from all the discomfort of your dryness.
Glycolic Acid. This chemical exfoliant gently prompts dead skin flakes to let go, leaving your skin clearer and ready to receive moisturizing ingredients. It is mild enough not to upset your skin, so is a great option for those with sensitive and dry skin.
Avocado Oil. Avocado oil is a favorite ingredient for relieving symptoms of many skin conditions, thanks to its many fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. It combats dryness while also making skin look and feel better.
Cocoa Butter. Cocoa butter is a hydrator packed with fatty acids, vitamins, and antioxidants. It penetrates the skin, delivering deep benefits and promoting elasticity.
Extremely dry skin doesn’t stand a chance when up against Blu Atlas Body Lotion. That’s because this product is loaded with hydrating and skin-soothing ingredients that come together in a clean formula you can feel good about putting on your skin. Opt for the unscented version if your skin is hyper-sensitive, or go for the naturally scented Classic or Coconut Apricot versions to add a little extra delight to your daily skincare routine.
All hail shea butter, the king of moisturizers! This ingredient is packed with fatty acids, antioxidants, and vitamins to soothe while it smooths. Jojoba oil is also rich in vitamins and provides satisfying hydration by penetrating the skin the way your natural sebum does. Seaweed draws in moisture while protecting the skin with antioxidants, and squalane provides anti-inflammatory benefits while it hydrates. This blend of ingredients ensures that even the driest of skin gets some relief.
If you have extremely dry skin, it means your skin barrier is somehow damaged. This moisturizing cream from CeraVe works to repair that barrier, quenching your skin’s thirst to get rid of symptoms like flaking, itching, or rough texture. Somehow, even though this formula is full to the brim with moisturizing ingredients, it’s still non-greasy, locking in moisture without a trace.
Glycerin, hyaluronic acid, dimethicone, and petrolatum are the moisturizing ingredients here, working in tandem to draw moisture through the skin and make sure it stays put. This formula also contains MVE Delivery Technology, helping to ensure continuous moisture over a period of time for optimal hydration.
If your skin is dry and prone to eczema, this is a great option for you. Avéne’s XeraCalm is one of the best lotions for extremely dry skin, containing lipid-restoring ingredients that placate even the most aggravated skin. This super-rich formula is all about i-modula, a complex found in thermal spring water that alleviates itching and reinforces the skin barrier. Plus cer-omega, a fatty acid from primrose oil that hydrates deeply. Glycerin and tocopherol also ensure skin stays moisturized for a long time.
This product from Augustinus Bader is called The Body Cream, probably because (if you can afford it) it’s the only one you’ll ever need. Using sustainably sourced ingredients, this lotion promotes healthier, firmer, smoother, and—yes—more moisturized skin. Bisabolol is a key player in the formula, calming irritated skin. Shea butter moisturizes and soothes, a polysaccharide moisture complex targets dry skin, and camellia sinensis leaf provides quick-absorbing hydration. While this body cream will set you back over 100 dollars, its many benefits are worth it if you can afford to shell out that much for a lotion.
This drugstore favorite is all about showering your body in love, no matter how dry your skin gets. It works to comfort and hydrate dry, cracked skin and gives you 48 hours of intensive moisture you can feel. Slather this all over sensitive skin, too—it’s dermatologist-tested and fragrance-free, so safe even on skin that tends to overreact. By working to replace ceramides and renew your moisture barrier, this lotion helps skin retain nine times its regular amount of moisture! It also contains hydrating heroes glycerin, dimethicone, petrolatum, and sunflower seed oil for lasting moisture.
Eucerin is a go-to brand for those suffering from a number of uncomfortable skin conditions, and this Advanced Repair formula makes for definitely one of the best lotions for extremely dry skin. It’s right in the middle of the light-to-rich scale, meaning it absorbs quickly enough that you can grab your phone immediately after applying rather than waiting for the grease to subside. It contains shea butter and urea, a carbamide found naturally in the skin that keeps its moisture in balance.
Lactic acid is the secret to this formula’s moisturizing effects, relieving the skin of dead flakes for great turnover. Glycerin and dimethicone also help on the moisturizing front, sealing moisture into renewed skin. This lotion is built for those with rough, dry skin, exfoliating and moisturizing to make skin smoother.
Vaseline’s Intensive Care Sensitive Skin Relief gets to work fast but delivers long-lasting results, which is perfect if you’re experiencing particularly dry skin. It’s great for those with sensitive skin, too, and was created with dermatologists to ensure efficiency and gentleness. The key ingredients in this formula are lipids for skin barrier reinforcement, plus shea butter and other hydrating ingredients. What sets this formula apart is the inclusion of colloidal oatmeal, a multi-tasking ingredient that keeps skin hydrated while also softening, alleviating itching, and regulating your skin’s pH levels.
While this tub of lotion may seem more like a medical device than a skincare product, it’s actually one of the best lotions for extremely dry skin, and sensitive skin as well! Without dyes, fragrances, parabens, formaldehyde, or lanolin, you’re left with milder ingredients that moisturize and won’t clog pores. This lotion has also earned a seal of acceptance from the National Eczema Association and works great on easily irritated skin.
Why not fight back against time while you’re also hydrating your extremely dry skin? That’s the idea behind this body cream from Dr. Barbara Sturm. While it’s on the pricier end of the spectrum, this formula harnesses the power of natural oils to hydrate, soften, tighten, and firm, leaving you with more youthful and radiant skin while assuaging dryness. The ingredient list includes favorites like shea butter, panthenol, and olive oil, but also meadowfoam seed oil to balance and hydrate, purslane for calming and boosting skin cell turnover, and chickpea seed extract to fill in fine lines.
This 24-hour formula comes in a number of different scents, and we like this Coconut Waters version the best. It smells like a tropical rainforest, with coconut, hibiscus, and musk, plus brings the moisturizing power so you no longer have extremely dry skin. Shea butter and oil come to the hydrating party, plus dimethicone, coconut fruit extract, and glycerin. Pro tip: apply right before bedtime and wake up with totally renewed skin!
If you have eczema, you know the feeling of extreme dryness well. The rash, itching, discoloration, and cracked skin are no fun. Luckily, there’s this cream from Aveeno that’s designed to bring you relief from all those symptoms with a rich, creamy texture and a formula made up of some of the biggest hydrators in the game.
Oat kernel is the most exciting ingredient in this formula, helping skin retain moisture while also addressing some of the more uncomfortable symptoms of dryness. Ceramides from corn oil back up your moisture barrier, and panthenol sucks moisture through the skin while also soothing. The result is one of the top-recommended lotions for eczema and dryness.
La Roche-Posay creates luxurious skincare products loaded with science-backed ingredients straight from nature. This moisturizing cream is no exception, getting after all kinds of dryness while also balancing your skin’s microbiome for improved health. Perhaps the best part about this product is how gentle it is—it’s even safe for babies and those undergoing chemotherapy or radiation.
The key is prebiotic thermal water, sourced from the French town of La Roche-Posay, which contains antioxidants and plenty of important skin minerals. Ceramides line the skin’s lipid barrier to keep moisture in, shea butter softens and soothes, niacinamide hydrates while targeting discoloration, and glycerin acts as a humectant to restore the skin’s moisture levels.
Turn extremely dry skin into the smooth skin of your dreams with this Extra Strength Body Cream. It combats everything from dryness to puffiness, using a combination of colloidal oatmeal and sweet almond oil to soothe and stop itching. Allantoin and aloe vera also calm skin while moisturizing, shea butter softens, and rice bran extract targets aging and discoloration for some additional benefits.
All skin types can benefit from this lotion, which contains important hydrators and nutrients to nurse the skin back to full health and hydration. Niacinamide lends its anti-inflammatory properties, ceramide creates a stronger skin barrier, hyaluronic acid binds moisture to the skin, and fruit enzymes target the symptoms of extreme dryness. The product also contains mango seed butter for softening and squalane for fast-absorbing hydration.
Use this product before or after you go catch some UV rays, as it quenches your skin’s thirst in an oh-so-satisfying way. This product is like a hybrid of a cream and a serum, meaning it will soak right into the skin but still has all you need to stop symptoms of dryness. The formula is packed with powerful botanicals for relief, plus the added benefits of greater skin resilience and smoothness.
Aloe leaf juice is the first ingredient listed, giving your body a refreshing dose of moisture and some much-needed zen. Chamomile and calendula take charge of calming, plantain leaf treats eczema, yarrow reduces inflammation, and pumpkin seed oil renews skin while delivering vitamin C for extra protection. There are plenty of other natural goodies in here, too!
Sometimes the best lotion for extremely dry skin is sitting right on the shelf of your local drugstore! Like this moisturizing lotion from Cetaphil. While the formula itself is lightweight, it also provides two whole days of moisture and a little extra skin comfort along the way. This lotion is powered by a trio of hydrating ingredients: niacinamide, glycerin, and panthenol. The three work together to ensure lasting moisture throughout!
It’s true—this lotion will leave your skin beaming. With a satisfying whipped texture, a handful of renewing ingredients, and extra brightening power, this body moisturizer is sure to reverse your skin’s dryness. Hydration is long overdue! Just keep in mind that this product contains sun-sensitizing ingredients, so it’s best used at night.
A combo of chemical exfoliants starts by sloughing off dead skin to leave your skin renewed and ready to accept all the benefits of the formula. Caffeine invigorates the skin, and then natural butters and oils complete the work by drenching the skin in moisture. Some of the highlight ingredients include carrageenan for moisture, citrus extracts for protection and brightening, and rosehip for strengthening and hydrating.
La Mer products are some of the most expensive out there, but that hefty price tag comes with a whole slew of benefits. In this particular formula, those benefits include softer, more hydrated, and less irritated skin, plus you’ll get some extra protection from pollutants and some brightening powers.
What we love most about this formula is that it comes out thick but dissolves into an oil upon contact with your skin, seeping in to deliver benefits without leaving residue. The brand’s Miracle Broth is in here, providing extreme skin nourishment in the form of sea kelp and lots of micronutrients. There are a number of natural oils in here, too, like sesame, olive, soybean, and meadowfoam seed.
When your skin is burning and chapped, there is nothing more refreshing than dunking it in milk. Or at least in a milky body lotion like this one from Fresh. It provides a luscious blend of hydrating ingredients for a full 24 hours of moisture, plus linseed to strengthen skin against damage, Centella milk to calm, and rice milk for an extra dose of comfort. Squalane, niacinamide, vitamin E, and hyaluronic acid serve as the main hydrators of the formula.
All you need is a pump of this lotion for relief that lasts a full 48 hours. This is a great option to use daily, ideally right after a shower when your skin is already damp and your pores are open. It contains a number of moisturizing ingredients, plus aloe vera for extra soothing and conditioning, ensuring fast absorption and skin bliss.
The key to extremely dry skin is to protect the skin barrier, which keeps out pollutants and other aggressors and maintains moisture retention within the skin. This Skin Protectant Cream from Gold Bond relieves five different skin symptoms: dryness, redness and irritation, itchiness, roughness, and peeling. It contains colloidal oatmeal and aloe vera for help on this mission, plus shea butter for soothing and ginger extract to reduce roughness.
Skin in distress? It’s First Aid Beauty to the rescue! This Ultra Repair Cream is not for just any skin—it remedies extreme dryness. One hundred percent of users in a trial found a lasting improvement in their skin’s dryness and increased conditioning and soothing. It works with colloidal oatmeal to combat irritation, shea butter to provide emollient properties, allantoin to calm, plus feverfew to fade redness, and licorice to calm inflammation.
This nourishing lotion from Summer Fridays is the answer to parched skin. It’s enriched with plant butters and oils for ultimate efficacy and smells like a warm summer day. Cocoa butter and shea butter appear in this formula for their fatty acid content, then grapeseed, rosehip, argan, and linseed oils penetrate the skin to deliver moisture quickly. Ceramides protect the skin and stop moisture from leaving, and hyaluronic acid works with glycerin to ensure lasting hydration and plump, soft skin.
This Comfort Cream isn’t just a treatment for your extremely dry skin—it’s also an indulgence. It works with time-release technology to slowly moisturize skin over time, leading to the ultimate comforting experience. A proprietary ingredient cortinhib g™ reinforces the skin barrier, hemisqualane softens, algae stops moisture loss, and fruit extracts deliver nutrients and plenty of additional benefits for skin that looks and feels fantastic.
Use this Ultra Healing lotion from Jergens on all your problem areas to get rid of roughness and promote healing moisture. Glycerin, petrolatum, allantoin, panthenol, and tocopherol join forces to draw moisture into the skin and help it stay there. When used daily, this best lotion for extremely dry skin turns your roughness and dryness around.
Treat your skin to this hypoallergenic formula from Nécessaire, which provides the nutrients necessary for strong, healthy skin so it can overcome dryness. In addition to glycerin and shea butter glycerides, this lotion contains jojoba oil for moisture and nutrients, sugar cane for gentle exfoliation, meadowfoam seed oil to seal moisture in, and fruit extracts for their high vitamin content.
Just because you have extremely dry skin doesn’t mean you need to grin and bear it! Any of these lotions will provide you lasting relief, and some may just improve the overall look and feel of skin as an added bonus.
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