Dry, flaky, cracked skin can improve with good moisturizing habits and a few familiar ingredients, if you use them carefully and know when to see a doctor.
Dry skin happens when the skin loses water, or when its protective barrier weakens and can no longer hold in moisture. Below are some ways to care for it at home, along with points to keep in mind.
Bathing and moisturizing habits
Daily habits play a very important role:
- Bathe in lukewarm water only and keep your shower short. Very hot water strips away the skin's natural oils and makes it even drier.
- Use a gentle body wash and face cleanser, and avoid scrubbing hard.
- After bathing, gently pat dry with a soft towel, then apply moisturizer right away while the skin is still slightly damp to lock water into the skin. Choose a product with moisturizing and barrier-repairing ingredients that suit your skin condition.
- For cracked lips, hands, elbows and heels, a thin layer of mineral oil-based balm applied after bathing is a simple option with good evidence for forming a film that seals in moisture. If the skin on your face is prone to acne, think twice before using it there.
Plant oils for very dry areas
Some oils help soften the skin and reduce water loss, but they cannot replace a moisturizer:
- Olive oil contains fatty acids and antioxidants; use only a few drops on very dry spots such as elbows, knees and heels. Applying it directly for a long time may affect the skin barrier in some people.
- Coconut oil suits the hands, elbows and cracked heels; apply a thin layer in the evening, and for the heels, put on a pair of clean socks afterward to keep in moisture. People whose facial skin is prone to breakouts should not put it on the face, as it may clog pores.
- Jojoba oil, argan oil and avocado oil can be applied in small amounts right after bathing. Do not pour a lot of oil into the bathtub, as it can make you slip and fall.
People with sensitive skin should test on a small patch of skin first.
Masks and compresses from familiar ingredients
- Mash a ripe avocado with a little unsweetened yogurt, apply it to clean skin for a few minutes, then rinse gently. Avocado is rich in unsaturated fats that help soften the skin.
- Finely ground oats have a soothing effect; you can soak them in warm water and apply to the skin before bathing, or mix them with a little honey for a thin mask, then rinse off without rubbing hard.
- Honey draws in moisture well, but ordinary honey is not a treatment for skin disease. Apply only a thin layer for a few minutes and rinse it off, and do not put it on open wounds or infected areas.
- Aloe vera gel is often used to soothe skin after sun exposure. Choose a gel made for the skin with little fragrance; if you use fresh aloe, scrape off all the yellow sap near the peel and test on a small area first, as some people develop contact dermatitis.
- A clean towel soaked in cool milk, or a weak tea bag that has cooled completely, can be held briefly on dry skin. Evidence for these methods is still limited; avoid getting tea in your eyes.
Exfoliation: use with care
Exfoliating helps soften the skin's surface, but it can easily do harm if done wrong. For healthy body skin, you can mix a little sugar with coconut oil, rub it on gently for a short while, rinse with water and then apply moisturizer. Do not scrub your face with sugar. Papaya and pineapple contain enzymes that soften the outer layer of skin, but mashing fruit yourself and applying it to the skin can easily cause irritation, especially on sensitive skin.
Stop all exfoliation, masks and compresses when the skin is very dry, red, scraped, deeply cracked, inflamed or showing signs of infection.
When to see a doctor
See a doctor if dryness and cracking last a long time, the skin is red, painful or very itchy, cracks to the point of bleeding, or does not improve despite proper care. Persistent dry skin can sometimes be a sign of psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) or another health problem.
Trusted clinic for dry skin in Ho Chi Minh City
Ky Hoa Medical Center has nearly 20 years of experience in medical care in Ho Chi Minh City, with a team of highly qualified doctors and a careful, transparent way of working. For dry skin, our Dermatology doctors take time to listen, examine carefully and explain clearly so that you fully understand your condition, then agree together on a treatment and follow-up plan.
The center operates under Operating License No. 00449/HCM-GPHĐ, with a list of medical techniques approved by the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health (Decision 471/QĐ-SYT), and is a primary care facility contracted with Ho Chi Minh City Social Security, accepting health insurance (BHYT) visits on Saturdays as well. The practising certificates of our 24 doctors are published on our Doctors page.
If you have dry skin that has not improved for a long time, simply walk in during opening hours and take a queue number at Ky Hoa Medical Center, where a Dermatology doctor will examine you and advise on care suited to your skin.
Ky Hoa Medical Center
Address: 266A - 268 3 Thang 2 Street, Hoa Hung Ward, Ho Chi Minh City
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday, 6:30 - 11:30 and 13:00 - 17:00 (closed on Sunday)
Hotline: 028.3868.1097
Source: Suc Khoe & Doi Song (Health & Life) newspaper