What Do Dermatologists Recommend For Extremely Dry Skin? 4 Tips for Thirsty Skin

Complexion so dry, the Sahara would be jealous? Let’s face it — there’s dry skin, and then there’s extremely dry skin. You know the type: ashy, flaky, itchy, vibe-killing skin. 😒

Unfortunately, almost half of us experience dry AF skin. And while there’s a small sliver of comfort in knowing we’re not alone in our dry skin-struggles, it doesn’t exactly stop it from rattling our confidence. 

Lathering on moisturizer might do the trick for some, but what about the rest of us? Why is my skin so dry even when I moisturize? 

If you’re like me, you might need a little extra reinforcement when it comes to quenching your skin's thirst. 

When it comes to things we could do for extremely dry skin, what do dermatologists recommend? We put in the work so you can kick back and reap the benefits. 

Keep reading for the lowdown on derm-approved ways to soothe dry AF skin and resurrect your #MainCharacter energy! 🌟

Dry Skin vs. Extremely Dry Skin

A dry complexion might look dull or ashy, lacking that youthful glow you’re used to seeing. It might result from using a new product or not drinking enough water. In this case, keeping hydrated and lathering on a nice moisturizer usually does the trick in reviving skin’s moisture and radiance.

Then there’s us. 🙃

An extremely dry, dehydrated complexion can manifest in various ways. The most common signs are:

• Tightness in the skin
• Discoloration
• Rough, flaky texture
• Scaling or peeling skin
• Painful or itchy AF skin 
• Fine lines or cracks
• Visible irritation or bleeding

Not only is an overly dry complexion uncomfortable, but we’d be lying if we didn’t talk about how its effects ripple into other areas of life, too. 

Maybe you want a smooth, flawless makeup look, but dry skin flakes keep cracking your foundation. Or maybe you’re ready to take a tumble in the sheets, but your skin woes keep you from feeling as sexy as you deserve to feel. 

I’m with you. So why does extremely dry skin happen?

What is the main reason for dry skin?

Before we get into what dermatologists recommend we do for extremely dry skin, it’s crucial to understand why it happens at all.

The main reason for a dry complexion? Dehydration. When skin loses water too quickly, it becomes dehydrated. As for why, there are a variety of factors that could be at play.  

Some culprits for a hyper-dry complexion are:

• Certain skincare products
• Over cleansing
• Hot showers
• Sun damage
• Dry environment
• Genetics
• Smog and air pollution
• Medications
• Diet and nutrition
• Diseases or cancer

Despite extremely dry skin’s origins, its struggles are no cakewalk. It can feel like no matter how much moisture we throw at it; our complexion stays craving some intense hydration. 

So what’s the fix?

According to derms, how do you treat extreme dry skin?

Like we mentioned, when it comes to dry, sensitive skin — sometimes reinforcements need to be brought in. Enter: the board-certified pros who studied skin for 12+ years.

That said, what’s one thing dryer than our complexion and Death Valley combined? Medical studies. 😬

Sifting through peer-reviewed articles and dermatological research can get hella boring real quick. (Cue the senior-year-term-paper PTSD). 

As your official skincare bestie, I volunteer as tribute. 🙋🏻‍♀️

That’s right — I did the homework to ensure your skin’s hydration (and feel-good vibes) get passing marks across the board. So without further ado, what do dermatologists recommend for extremely dry skin?

Beautiful skin starts from the inside

While using the right products is key to optimal skin health, consuming proper nutrients improves it on a cellular level. That means consuming healthy fats and proteins, getting your vitamins in, eating collagen-rich foods, and nourishing your complexion from the inside.

My holy-grail, skin-boosting supplement? I never go a day without my S.O.S. Gummy from embody. Not only does it help soothe that intense AF itch brought on by extremely dry skin, but ingredients like pantothenic acid and evening primrose oil crank up the moisture and keep water loss at bay. 💧 Dryness, who?

Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!

Speaking of soothing your complexion from within, did you know our skin is made up of over 60% water? 

While drinking enough water alone isn’t a miracle cure-all, dermatologists agree that not drinking enough wreaks havoc on skin’s health. For one, that natural, summertime-fine glow is the first thing to fade. After that, elasticity, density, and blood flow quickly follow suit. 

In terms of water consumption, what do dermatologists recommend for extremely dry skin? Experts say to divide your body weight in half. This gives you an idea of how many ounces you should drink daily.

Try a skinimal routine

So what do dermatologists recommend for extremely dry skin on your face? It turns out that sometimes, less is best.

Unlike so many gimmicky skincare trends and products out there — skinimalism (or skin minimalism) is one that’s actually backed by derms. To sum it up, it’s a less-is-more approach to skincare. 

Why does it work? For starters, when you use too many products, there’s a chance they don’t all play well together. More importantly, when issues (like extremely dry skin) develop, it makes it harder to pinpoint which product is tripping up your moisture barrier.  

So what does a skinimal routine look like? All you need are a hydrating cleanser (like the One & Done Oil Cleanser from embody 🔥), a nourishing moisturizer, and a moisturizing SPF. Then add only what you need from there. 

Reach for active ingredients

One of two things happens whenever we first get introduced to skincare actives: We either get intimidated and say “f*ck this, never mind,” or we get way too excited and totally over-do it (guilty 🙋🏻‍♀️). So which serum is good for dry skin?

Serums with active ingredients can be a godsend for all kinds of skin woes, but they’re not a universal fix. When it comes to how to get rid of dry, flaky skin on your face instantly, some ingredients work better than others. 

For instance, retinol (which is amazing for skin health) can further irritate extremely dry skin if you’re not careful. Ingestible skincare options, like embody’s Retinol Gummy, let you enjoy the perks of skincare actives without the initial irritation that usually accompanies it. Yum!

Say goodbye to dryness and hello to hydration with embody! 

Now that you know exactly what dermatologists recommend you do for extremely dry skin, the glowy, hydrated, skin-loving bestie I adore is ready for her comeback. ✨

So beat your face to the gods and swipe right on that cutie with the pups on Tinder. Dry AF skin and its dusty, crusty vibes have officially *left the chat*. ✌️ 

Visit embody for more on loving the skin you’re in at every step of your skincare journey!