My Skin Is Super Dry 85% of the Time—Here Are My Favorite Cures

April 16, 2020

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We all have our skincare strengths and weaknesses. I’d say you probably have something you love about your skin and something that annoys you to no end. And if you’re perfectly fine with your perfect skin, I am in awe. For me, I like to think I’ve been blessed with very rare breakouts or blemishes, but I’ve been cursed with dry and sensitive skin.

I’ve had eczema since I was a baby and get especially bad flare-ups on my hands. Aside from the eczema, my skin is generally dry. About 85% of the time, I’ve got some dry spot happening somewhere on my body. Currently, I’m battling a dry patch on my face and a slight eczema flare-up on my palms. In fact, ever since I moved back to Los Angeles after a 12-year stint in New York City, my face has been continuously dry. It’s a conundrum I just can’t figure out.

I’ve tried so many lotions, creams, ointments, masks, etc., throughout the years, so I like to think I’m pretty well-versed in what works for me and what doesn’t. And for the times when I don’t turn to my prescription steroid creams and ointments for my eczema, I have a few over-the-counter favorites. But for more information about using ointments to heal dry skin, I turned to dermatologist Heather Rogers, MD, founder and CEO of Doctor Rogers Restore and co-founder of Modern Dermatology in Seattle, for some tips.

“When skin is dry, the barrier is not intact, making the skin less able to keep chemicals out and hydration/water in,” Rogers explains. “For your skin to heal, the water level must be maintained. This is why greasy ointments are so helpful. They provide a protective layer over the healing skin to keep the water in your skin from evaporating.”

Rogers’s balm is 100% plant-based and can treat a variety of skin problems, like eczema symptoms, dryness, chapped lips, and burns. “I often recommend people apply my Healing Balm to their areas of concern before bed and then sleep in gloves, socks, or tight-fitting clothes to keep the ointment in place,” she says. “After lasering, I have patients apply my balm and then a face mask to expedite the healing process.”

CeraVe’s ointment contains hyaluronic acid to retain moisture, and it doesn’t have a greasy feel. Apply to any dry or cracked spots on your body.

A few years ago, my dermatologist gave me a bunch of samples of these tubes and told me to apply it throughout the day in between using my prescription ointments. I put them in practically every bag I own, and I still buy them in bulk. It really helps keep my hands moisturized, especially after washing them.

I’m a big fan of Vanicream’s moisturizer because it doesn’t contain any ingredients that irritate my sensitive skin. And I have the same feelings toward the brand’s ointment. It’s helpful for skin conditions or concerns like dryness, itchiness, psoriasis, and eczema.

Avène’s balm is formulated for eczema, but it also works to treat redness, psoriasis, irritated skin, and dryness. Thermal spring water is another ingredient in the balm that is supposed to have soothing and calming properties.

Goodbye, discomfort. This rich balm will soften and smooth irritated and dry skin quickly. Key ingredients include panthenol (a vitamin B complex), shea butter, and glycerin. Next up, we have celeb facialists on speed dial—these are the retinol serums they love.