1. Shorten and cool the wash

AAD guidance recommends limiting baths and showers to five to ten minutes and using warm rather than hot water. Pat dry instead of rubbing.

2. Use cleanser only where needed

Choose a gentle, fragrance-free cleanser and avoid chasing a heavy lather. “Fragrance-free” and “unscented” are not the same; an unscented product can still contain masking fragrance.

3. Moisturize while skin is damp

Apply moisturizer soon after washing and again when skin feels dry. Creams and ointments generally hold more moisture than lotions and can be more useful for marked dryness.

4. Pause unnecessary irritation

If skin is already cracked, stinging, or inflamed, pause new exfoliants and other optional actives. Reintroduce only when the skin is comfortable and test one change at a time.

5. Protect exposed skin

Use broad-spectrum, water-resistant SPF 30 or higher on exposed skin and follow the product directions. Clothing and shade remain useful parts of sun protection.

Sources

• Dermatologists' top tips for relieving dry skin — Recommends short warm showers, gentle fragrance-free cleansing, moisturizer on damp skin, and cream or ointment for marked dryness.
• How to decode a sunscreen label — Recommends broad-spectrum, water-resistant SPF 30 or higher and reapplication every two hours outdoors and after water, sweat, or toweling.
• How to test skin care products — Describes a small-area home-use test twice daily for seven to ten days and advises stopping and washing off a product when a reaction develops.