Rough and Dry Skin

Rough and Dry Skin is a It’s a common condition that affects people of all ages. Dry skin, also known as xerosis or xeroderma, with many causes, including cold or dry weather, sun damage, harsh soaps, and over bathing.

a woman face with rough and dry skin

What Causes Rough and Dry Skin 

The skin naturally produces an oil called sebum. When the skin produces too much oil, this can lead to pimples. However, having some sebum on the skin is important for keeping it hydrated and protecting the cells from infection.

Skin that is not creating or replenishing enough sebum can become dry.

Dry skin can be itchy, and it may look flaky and bumpy or have discolored patches. Dehydrated skin lacks water and appears dull or rough.

Common causes of Rough and dry skin

Some potential causes of dry or dehydrated skin on the face include:

People can treat rough and dry skin using several different methods. The best treatment option will depend on the cause of someone’s dry skin and its severity. Treatments also vary among different skin types, which can be normal, dry, oily, or combination.

6 Best Ways To Treat Rough and Dry Skin

Moisturize Daily

Moisturizers, ointments, and creams improve the skin’s natural barrier function, which promotes water retention. This can soothe and hydrate dry skin.
Moisturizing overnight can provide extra benefits. A person can apply moisturizer to their face before bed and wash it off with a gentle cleanser in the morning.
Gentle, face-friendly moisturizers often contain hyaluronic acid,
ceramides, colloidal oatmeal

Use Gentle Cleansers

Soaps that contain fragrances, colors, and other chemicals can irritate and dry out the skin. People may benefit from opting for mild, fragrance-free cleansers or facial soaps and avoiding products that contain alcohol, artificial colors, and plastics.
Ingredients to avoid include:
Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS)
Those that derive from mineral oil, including petroleum and paraffin
Parabens
Diethanolamine (DEA)
Monoethanolamine (MEA)
Triethanolamine (TEA)

Exfoliate To Remove Excess Dry Skin

The skin continuously makes new cells and sheds old cells. When dead skin cells become stuck on the surface, people may notice dry patches and clogged pores.
Exfoliating helps remove dead skin cells, which can reduce dry patches and improve the skin’s overall texture. Exfoliators can be either mechanical or chemical.

Practice better bathing habits

It is best to use warm, not hot, water when bathing or washing the face because hot water can strip the skin of its natural oils.
Spending too much time in water can remove sebum from the skin. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends limiting showers and baths to 5–10 minutes or less to help heal dry skin.
After bathing or washing the face, people should immediately apply a moisturizer to help lock in moisture.

Use a humidifier

Constantly running air conditioning (AC) and central heating units indoors removes moisture from the air and the skin.

A person with dry facial skin may wish to try limiting their use of AC and heating or start using a humidifier to add some moisture to the air indoors.

Medication For Rough and Dry Skin

 A dermatologist can prescribe a topical ointment or cream for people who have skin conditions or those who have dehydrated skin that does not respond to conventional treatments.
The type of medication will vary depending on the cause of the dry skin. Medications commonly contain hydrocortisone, a steroid that helps keep the skin hydrated.