Everyday Habits for Dry, Rough Skin

Shorter, cooler showers

Hot water is harder on the skin barrier than cooler water. A 2022 study of 50 healthy volunteers measured the skin before and after hot- and cold-water exposure. Hot water raised transepidermal water loss from 25.75 to 58.58 g·h^-1·m^-2, and cold-water immersion raised it to 34.96. The authors concluded that “long and continuous water exposure damages skin barrier function, with hot water being even more harmful”, and advised cold or lukewarm water for handwashing (Herrero-Fernandez et al., 2022). Transepidermal water loss is a measure of how intact the skin barrier is (Goad & Gawkrodger, 2016).

The NHS gives the everyday version for dry, itchy skin: have cool or lukewarm baths or showers, and do not spend a long time in the bath or shower (NHS, itchy skin).

Moisturise as soon as you have dried off

The NHS says emollients are best applied after washing your hands, taking a bath or showering, “because this is when the skin most needs moisture”, and that the emollient should go on as soon as you have patted your skin dry (NHS, emollients). Its contact dermatitis advice puts it the same way: gently dry the skin after a bath or shower, then apply the emollient straight away while the skin is still moist (NHS, contact dermatitis treatment).

Pat the skin dry rather than rubbing it. The NHS also suggests smoothing an emollient on in the direction the hair grows instead of rubbing it in, which helps prevent blocked hair follicles. A 2022 review of moisturisers adds that occlusive ingredients, the oily ones that form a film over the skin, block moisture loss most effectively when applied immediately after washing or bathing (Kang et al., 2022).

Dry indoor air plays a part

A 2016 review of air humidity and the skin found studies suggesting that dry skin symptoms appear in low-humidity, air-conditioned indoor environments. In human studies, low humidity was linked to changes in the skin’s water content, lower elasticity and more roughness, and a humidifying mist increased the water content of the outer skin layer (Goad & Gawkrodger, 2016). The same review is careful to say that some evidence points the other way and that the literature is “inconclusive”.

So a humidifier in a room that runs the air-conditioner for hours may help, though the review itself calls the evidence inconclusive. A Korean split-face study in healthy women looked at heated rooms in winter: after six hours indoors, roughness and redness on the face went up, and a ceramide cream on one side of the face improved texture compared with the untreated side (Park et al., 2023).

Go easy on soap over the whole body

The NHS says everyday soaps, shampoos and shower gels usually dry out the skin and can make conditions like eczema worse, and it recommends using a leave-on emollient as a soap substitute if you have dry or itchy skin. Emollient washes do not foam like normal soap, “but are just as effective at cleaning the skin” (NHS, emollients). Soaps and detergents are also on the NHS list of common skin irritants, and its contact dermatitis page notes that low humidity can make irritated skin worse (NHS, contact dermatitis causes).

Skip perfumed products too. The NHS advice for itchy skin is to use an unperfumed moisturiser regularly and not to use perfumed soaps, deodorants or moisturisers (NHS, itchy skin).

Hands, face and what you wear

Hands and face need the most attention. The NHS says it is especially important to apply an emollient regularly to them, “as they’re exposed to the elements more than any other part of your body” (NHS, emollients).

Clothing counts as well. For itchy skin, the NHS suggests loose cotton or silk clothing and a laundry liquid or powder made for sensitive skin, and advises against tight clothes or clothes made from wool or synthetic fabrics. It also suggests patting or tapping the skin instead of scratching it, and keeping nails clean, short and smooth (NHS, itchy skin).

When to see a doctor

None of this replaces seeing a doctor if a rough or flaky patch doesn’t improve with basic care — these are everyday habits, not a treatment for a skin condition. The NHS advises seeing a GP if itchy skin does not get better with self care or keeps coming back, is all over the body, or is severe (NHS, itchy skin). For the dates themselves rather than skincare routines, see our date fruit articles or the kurma nutrition guide.

This article is general information, not medical advice.

References

1. Herrero-Fernandez M, Montero-Vilchez T, Diaz-Calvillo P, et al. Impact of water exposure and temperature changes on skin barrier function. J Clin Med. 2022;11(2):298. PubMed 35053992
2. Goad N, Gawkrodger DJ. Ambient humidity and the skin: the impact of air humidity in healthy and diseased states. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2016;30(8):1285-1294. PubMed 27306376
3. Kang SY, Um JY, Chung BY, et al. Moisturizer in patients with inflammatory skin diseases. Medicina (Kaunas). 2022;58(7):888. PubMed 35888607
4. Park EH, Jo DJ, Jeon HW, Na SJ. Effects of winter indoor environment on the skin: unveiling skin condition changes in Korea. Skin Res Technol. 2023;29(6):e13397. PubMed 37357654
5. NHS. Emollients. nhs.uk
6. NHS. Itchy skin. nhs.uk
7. NHS. Contact dermatitis: causes and treatment. nhs.uk