From the Guidelines
For dry skin, I recommend using a gentle, non-soap cleanser that preserves the skin's natural lipids and moisturizes the skin, such as a lipid-free cleanser containing glycerin or glycol, as suggested by the American Contact Dermatitis Society 1. When choosing a cleanser for dry skin, it's essential to consider the ingredients and their potential impact on the skin barrier.
- Gentle, non-soap cleansers are preferred because they clean without disrupting the skin barrier, which is often compromised in dry skin types.
- Ingredients like glycerin, ceramides, and hyaluronic acid help maintain moisture while cleansing, making them ideal for dry skin.
- Non-foaming, non-soap formulations remove impurities while preserving the skin's natural lipids that protect against moisture loss. Some studies suggest bathing with water alone or with a non-soap cleanser at least 2 to 3 times per week, followed by the application of a bland emollient, can help improve skin hydration and skin barrier function 1. However, the most recent and highest quality study on the topic of hand hygiene during COVID-19 recommends using lipid-free cleansers, which contain no soap and leave a thin moisturizing residue containing glycerin or glycol 1. Therefore, I strongly recommend using a lipid-free cleanser containing glycerin or glycol for dry skin, as it provides the best balance of cleansing and moisturizing properties, and is supported by the most recent and highest quality evidence 1.
From the Research
Cleanser Characteristics for Dry Skin
- A gentle, soap-free cleanser is recommended for dry skin, as it does not compromise skin barrier integrity 2
- The selection of a skin cleanser is an important part of managing dry skin conditions, such as atopic dermatitis and sensitive skin 2
Moisturizer Application for Dry Skin
- Applying a moisturizer immediately after bathing, with a dose of at least 1.0 mg/cm2, and twice daily, has a moisturizing effect on dry skin 3
- The use of therapeutic moisturizers can improve skin hydration, reduce susceptibility to irritation, restore the integrity of the stratum corneum, and enhance the efficacy of topical corticosteroids 2
Ingredients for Dry Skin
- Certain botanical extracts, such as Aloe vera, Betula alba, and Helianthus annuus, have been shown to improve skin barrier function and promote keratinocyte differentiation in dry skin 4
- Physiological lipids, such as ceramides, are essential for an adequate composition and organization in the stratum corneum and can be included in emollients for dry skin 5
- Humectants, such as urea, can be incorporated into topical emollients for dry skin to help retain moisture 6, 5
Emollient Characteristics for Dry Skin
- Emollients should be tailored to the specific epidermal abnormality, with a combination of ingredients that help to repair and restore the skin barrier 6
- A gentle, non-irritating emollient with a pH close to the natural skin pH is recommended for dry skin 6
- The inclusion of carefully selected ingredients, such as physiological lipids and humectants, can help to improve the efficacy of emollients for dry skin 5