What should you know about super dry skin on face?

Facial skin can lose barrier lipids after over-cleansing, exfoliation, retinoids, acne products, shaving, wind, or low humidity. Burning or stinging after products suggests irritation, while itchy recurring patches may fit atopic dermatitis. Coin-shaped cracks can occur with asteatotic eczema, and sharply bordered thick scale may occur with psoriasis. Dryness around the nose, eyelids, or mouth can also have several causes, so location and accompanying changes matter.

Cleanse with lukewarm water and a mild fragrance-free product, then pat dry without rubbing. Apply an emollient to slightly damp skin and pause scrubs, peels, fragranced products, and newly added active ingredients until the barrier settles. Use lip protection for dry lips and avoid picking flakes. If a prescribed product is causing stinging, ask the prescriber how to adjust it rather than stopping essential treatment without advice.

Arrange an assessment for persistent facial redness, swelling, painful fissures, crusting, oozing, or symptoms around the eyes. Seek prompt care for eye pain or vision change, rapidly increasing swelling, widespread hives, or breathing difficulty after a product. A review is also useful when dryness returns each time a particular cosmetic or medicine is used.

Could this be irritation, eczema, psoriasis, or contact allergy? Which cleanser and emollient are suitable for my face? Should I pause a retinoid, exfoliant, or acne treatment? How should I care for eyelid or lip involvement? What symptoms require an earlier review?