How to Get Rid of Flaky Skin on Your Face, According to Derms

Moisturize With Hyaluronic Acid

Dr. Zeichner recommends looking for ingredients, such as hyaluronic acid, which "acts like a sponge to pull in hydration to the outer skin layers." Dry skin that's peeling is often genetic. And if you've inherited the "dry skin" gene, you're not alone.

Plenty of people aren't able to maintain adequate hydration because of this. Luckily, Dr. Zeichner says moisturizers can help. He especially recommends Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water-Gel.

Don't Overwash

Overwashing can dry out your skin, so if this sounds like something you're guilty of, try washing your face less often. You know that squeaky clean feeling you get after giving your face a good thorough cleansing? "[It's] actually harmful to the skin and represents post-wash dryness," Dr. Zeichner tells us.

Overwashing can lead to redness, dryness, and flaking of the skin, he adds. Zeichner recommends sticking to a more gentle cleanser that won’t compromise the integrity of the skin barrier⁠, such as Dove's Beauty Bar for Sensitive Skin.

Try a Dandruff Shampoo

Washing your face with dandruff shampoo can help if the culprit for your flaky skin is perioral dermatitis. Contrary to what you might think, slathering on the moisturizer won't help if your flaky skin is due to this condition. It may even exacerbate dryness.

"Moisturizers may actually make this condition worse because they can create an oily environment that encourages yeast growth," Zeichner tells us. Instead, he advises sticking to products with zinc pyrithione, "an ingredient that lowers levels of yeast and reduces inflammation and flaking." Kamedis Dandruff Shampoo gets his seal of approval.

Use a Petrolatum-Based Cream

To get rid of flaky facial skin, look for products that can provide a barrier for your skin to help seal in moisture and prevent its loss. According to Linkner, eczema is one of the most common causes of dry facial skin come winter. "With humidity levels dropping with temperatures, skin that runs on the sensitive end of the spectrum is sure to flare up," she says.

If this is happening to you, she recommends changing up your skincare routine. "Moving from serums or lotions to creams that are petrolatum-based is the easiest first move. If this alone doesn't help, then a prescription-strength steroid is best." She swears by Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream for the body and Alastin Ultra Nourishing Moisturizer for the face for both eczema and psoriasis-prone patients.

Opt for Anti-Inflammatory Ingredients

Some causes of dry, flaky, dead, or otherwise uncomfortable skin on your face are due to inflammatory conditions like rosacea. Rosacea is a common condition where the skin on the face is extra sensitive and overactive to the environment, explains Zeichner. It commonly manifests as red or pink skin, redness, flaking, and bumps (or even pus pimples, in some cases). 

If you find that you are experiencing redness, sensitivity, and flaking simultaneously, you just might be suffering from rosacea. In this scenario, he suggests using moisturizers that contain soothing and anti-inflammatory ingredients, including colloidal oatmeal.

Invest in a Humidifier

When humidity drops during some parts of the year or due to controlled indoor environments, changing your air quality and humidity level can help. Even if humidity isn't a concern, changing your environment might prevent dry, dead skin on your face.

Be Consistent With Your Skincare Routine

Consistency can help you nail down the potential root of your skin woes. If you're experiencing flakiness and you've recently changed up your skincare routine, you might be suffering from contact dermatitis, a skin rash and/or peeling of the skin "caused by direct contact of a product to the skin leading to either irritation or a true allergy," explains Zeichner. His advice? "Stop using anything new, and if the rash does not improve visit your dermatologist for allergy testing."

Re-Think Your Products

You might be using products that do more harm than good while not using ones that can help your skin. Often, the most common culprits for dry skin on your face include ingredients like retinoids and hydroxy acids, which can irritate sensitive skin. At the same time, preservatives and fragrances may also lead to allergies and irritation.

Instead, look for ingredients such as jojoba oil, dimethicone, glycerine, lactic acid, lanolin, mineral oil, and shea butter, which can all help seal in moisture, prevent its loss, and soothe dry, dead skin on your face.