Relieve Dry Skin with These High-Performing Moisturizers

At some point, you'll likely deal with dry skin and all the itchiness, flakiness, and discomfort that usually comes with it. But curing dry skin is complicated. The best way to treat this common skin concern is getting to the root issue as well as hunt down a moisturizer that will remedy your dry skin issues and prevent them from coming back. Ahead, discover what causes dry skin and what's the best moisturizer to fix it, according to dermatologists.

What causes dry skin?

Dry skin is "caused by an ineffective skin barrier that allows water to evaporate off of the surface of the skin," says Joshua Zeichner, MD, director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital.

Your skin uses water and naturally producing oils to stay hydrated, soft, and elastic, explains board-certified dermatologist Ife J. Rodney, MD, founding director of Eternal Dermatology + Aesthetics. "The water comes from the skin’s ability to acquire it from the environment's moisture and the body’s hydration levels," she says.

Your body also supplies moisture to your dermis, the inner layer of your skin, which then goes to the epidermis (the outer layer) and out to the atmosphere, Rodney says. Oils your body produces help protect your skin and retain moisture, she continues, and your body's production relies on hormones and other factors.

Rodney says these are the most common causes of dry skin:

• Dehydration. Meaning, you're not taking in enough water and liquids. (FYI: The U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine recommends that men take in 15.5 cups of fluids a day and that women aim to have 11.5 cups.)
• Underlying medical issues. Thyroid problems, liver issues, kidney issues, and diabetes can all lead to dry skin. "Psoriasis and eczema also lead to severely dry skin," Rodney says.
• Environmental issues. Extremely cold weather, harsh soaps, and skincare products, along with smoking and alcohol use can cause dry skin.
• Medication. Some medications, like diuretics, antihistamines, and statins, can cause dryness.
• Poor skincare habits. "People who do not use moisturizers or other skincare products are likely to acquire dry skin, especially with age," Rodney says.

Fixing the root cause of your dry skin, along with moisturizing it regularly, can help, Rodney says.

How moisturizers help dry skin

Using a good moisturizer can help combat dry skin and keep it from forming again. There are three major ways moisturizers can help your dry skin, Zeichner says.

• They form of protective seal over the skin that blocks water loss.
• They pull in hydration to the other skin layer.
• They soften rough cells on the skin’s surface.

What to look for in a moisturizer for dry skin

There are a few different things you can look for when it comes to a moisturizer for dry skin. "I usually recommend a fragrance-free product with ceramides that can help repair the skin barrier function," says board-certified dermatologist Gary Goldenberg, MD, founder of Goldenberg Dermatology. "In some instances, lactic or salicylic acid can help get rid of the scaling and help dry skin."

Moisturizers usually come in water-based or oil-based formulas, Rodney says. "Lighter, more hydrating lotions and gels are often water-based, while thicker creams and ointments are oil-based," she says. The right moisturizer for you "really depends on what’s causing your dry skin, and you may need one over the other—or both," Rodney says.

For example, if you have dry skin and live in a hot environment, a thicker cream can help with water loss, Rodney says. "Thicker creams contain occlusives, which create a barrier to prevent water loss," she explains. "Oily skin is crying out for more hydration and needs a moisturizer with emollients, which penetrate the skin with hydration, or humectants, which draw moisture from the environment."

But some newer formulations of moisturizers allow for lighter delivery systems like lotions and gels to give you plenty of moisture, Zeichner says. With that in mind, these are the best moisturizers for dry skin: