Guide to Moisturising Dry and Sensitive Skin

Dry air, air conditioning and hot showers are among the things that strain skin in our climate, causing roughness, tightness, flaking and itching. Correct, regular moisturising can make a clear difference.

Why Does Skin Become Dry?

The outer skin layer protects itself with a barrier of natural fats, particularly ceramides. When hot water, harsh soap, ageing or dry weather weakens this barrier, skin loses water quickly. Effective moisturising therefore has two aims: attracting water into the skin and keeping it there.

Ingredients to Look for on the Label

• Ceramides: fats naturally present in the skin barrier; moisturisers containing them help support that barrier.
• Glycerin and Hyaluronic Acid: substances that attract water and maintain moisture in the surface layer.
• Petroleum Jelly, Dimethicone and Shea Butter: form a layer that reduces water evaporation.
• Urea and Lactic Acid: moisturise and soften rough, thick skin, such as heels and elbows, but may sting slightly on cracked skin.
• Panthenol, Vitamin B5: a common soothing ingredient in care products for dry and irritated skin.

Dermatologists recommend products labelled fragrance-free, rather than simply unscented, and avoiding alcohol and scented soap on dry skin.

Cream, Lotion or Ointment?

Ointments and creams are more effective for dry skin than lotions because they are richer and stay longer. Lotions are lighter and easier for large areas and summer use, while ointment or petroleum jelly suits cracked lips and hands and night-time use.

Options by Need

Daily Face and Body Moisturisers

• CeraVe Moisturising Cream 454 g— a cream containing three essential ceramides and hyaluronic acid, according to the manufacturer, in a large pack for face and body.
• CeraVe Facial Moisturising Lotion 52 ml— a moisturising lotion for the face.
• Cetaphil Moisturising Cream 100 g— a moisturising cream in a portable 100 g pack.
• Eucerin Daily Hydration Lotion 500 ml— a 500 ml body lotion for daily moisturising.
• Neutrogena Hydro Boost Dry Skin Gel Cream 50 ml— a lightweight gel cream for dry skin.
• ACM Sensitelial Dry Skin Emollient 200 ml— a moisturiser for dry skin in a 200 ml pack.

Severe Dryness and Roughness

• Eucerin Advanced Repair Lotion 500 ml— from the Advanced Repair range.
• Eucerin Advanced Repair PM Lotion 400 ml— a night lotion from the Advanced Repair range.
• Eucerin UreaRepair PLUS 10% Urea Body Lotion 250 ml— a body lotion containing 10% urea.
• Avalon Urea with Lactic Acid Cream 100 ml— a urea cream with lactic acid for rough skin.
• CeraVe Anti Rugosites Cream 10% 177 ml— a 10% cream for rough skin.
• Eucerin Roughness Relief Lotion 500 ml— a roughness-relief lotion in a 500 ml pack.
• NIVEA Nourishing Body Lotion Extra Dry Skin 400 ml— a nourishing lotion for very dry skin.

Sensitive and Irritated Skin

• Bioderma Atoderm Cream 500 ml— a 500 ml cream from the Atoderm range for dry and sensitive skin.
• LA Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5+ 100 ml— a B5 panthenol balm.
• Bepanthen Skin Moisturiser Cream 30 g— a skin moisturising cream in a 30 g pack.

Hands, Feet and Lips

• Eucerin Advanced Repair Hand Cream 78 g— a hand cream from the Advanced Repair range.
• Eucerin UreaRepair Plus 5% Urea Hand Cream 75 ml— a hand cream containing 5% urea.
• Eucerin Advanced Repair Foot Cream 85 g— a cream for dry feet and heels.
• Vaseline Original Petroleum Jelly 250 ml— petroleum jelly that locks in moisture and is used on cracked areas.
• Sebamed Lip Defense Lip Balm 4.8 g— a moisturiser for dry lips.

Gentle Cleansing Without Stripping Moisture

• Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser Dry and Sensitive Skin 473 ml— a gentle cleanser for dry and sensitive skin.
• CeraVe Hydrating Foaming Oil Cleanser 473 ml— a cleansing oil that turns into a moisturising foam.

A Simple Routine for Dry Skin

• Keep showers between 5 and 10 minutes, using lukewarm rather than hot water.
• Pat your skin dry with a towel without rubbing.
• Apply moisturiser within minutes of showering while the skin is still damp, and after every hand wash.
• Use a bedroom humidifier when needed, cleaning it regularly.
• Wear gloves when washing dishes or using cleaning products, and choose cotton clothing.

Common Mistakes

• Rubbing skin with a rough loofah or strong exfoliants, which increase dryness and irritation.
• Overusing fragranced products on dry skin.
• Applying moisturiser only once a day when dryness is severe.

If dryness involves bleeding cracks, itching severe enough to prevent sleep, spreading redness or signs of infection, or affects an infant, consult a pharmacist or doctor before relying on moisturisers alone.

Browse more in the Moisturising and Body Care sections.