Skin concern
Dryness & Flaking
Tight, rough, ashy-looking skin that flakes after cleansing. Dry skin lacks oil, dehydrated skin lacks water, and most people have a bit of both.
What causes it
Why this happens
A weakened lipid barrier, low humidity, hot water, over-cleansing with foaming surfactants, air conditioning and over-exfoliation. Age and certain medications also lower natural oil production.
Habits & ingredients to avoid
- Foaming sulfate cleansers
- High-strength alcohol toners
- Daily physical exfoliation
- Very hot water
Key helpful ingredients
What to look for on the label
Ceramides
Why it works: it is one of the best-evidenced options for dryness & flaking, and appears in 3 of the products below.
Hyaluronic acid
Why it works: it is one of the best-evidenced options for dryness & flaking, and appears in 1 of the products below.
Squalane
Why it works: it is one of the best-evidenced options for dryness & flaking, and appears in 3 of the products below.
Shea butter
Why it works: it is one of the best-evidenced options for dryness & flaking, and appears in 2 of the products below.
Glycerin
Why it works: it is one of the best-evidenced options for dryness & flaking, and appears in 5 of the products below.
Recommended
13 products for dryness & flaking
Rosewater Botanics
4.9Ceramide Rich Repair Cream
Ceramide NP is one of the most reliable choices for dryness & flaking. Locks in the actives and rebuilds the barrier, which is what stops this concern coming back.
Rosewater Botanics
4.9Cica Barrier Repair Serum
Centella asiatica is one of the most reliable choices for dryness & flaking. This is where the active work happens: the highest useful concentration of the ingredients that address this concern.
Rosewater Botanics
4.8Milk & Oat Cream Cleanser
Colloidal oatmeal is one of the most reliable choices for dryness & flaking. Sets the tone for the whole routine — it removes what triggers this concern without stripping the barrier.
Rosewater Botanics
4.8Oat Soothing Balm
Colloidal oatmeal is one of the most reliable choices for dryness & flaking. Locks in the actives and rebuilds the barrier, which is what stops this concern coming back.
Rosewater Botanics
4.8Hyaluronic Layering Serum
Multi-weight hyaluronic acid is one of the most reliable choices for dryness & flaking. This is where the active work happens: the highest useful concentration of the ingredients that address this concern.
Emerald Atelier
4.7Squalane Daily Moisturiser
Olive squalane is one of the most reliable choices for dryness & flaking. Locks in the actives and rebuilds the barrier, which is what stops this concern coming back.
Rosewater Botanics
4.7Calm Cica Gentle Wash
Centella asiatica is one of the most reliable choices for dryness & flaking. Sets the tone for the whole routine — it removes what triggers this concern without stripping the barrier.
Rosewater Botanics
4.7Colloidal Oatmeal Rescue Mask
Colloidal oatmeal is one of the most reliable choices for dryness & flaking. A targeted, higher-strength step used a few times a week to push visible change.
Emerald Atelier
4.6Marula & Rosehip Facial Oil
Marula oil is one of the most reliable choices for dryness & flaking. This is where the active work happens: the highest useful concentration of the ingredients that address this concern.
Emerald Atelier
4.6Barrier Recovery Balm Mask
Ceramides is one of the most reliable choices for dryness & flaking. A targeted, higher-strength step used a few times a week to push visible change.
Rosewater Botanics
4.5Nourishing Shea Oil Cleanser
Shea oil is one of the most reliable choices for dryness & flaking. Sets the tone for the whole routine — it removes what triggers this concern without stripping the barrier.
Rosewater Botanics
4.4Hydrating SPF 30 Cream
Zinc oxide is one of the most reliable choices for dryness & flaking. Non-negotiable for this concern — daily UV and visible-light protection prevents everything else undoing itself.
Golden Hour Skin
4.4Rice Water Hydrating Essence
Fermented rice water is one of the most reliable choices for dryness & flaking. This is where the active work happens: the highest useful concentration of the ingredients that address this concern.