Ceramides to Shea Butter: What Dry Skin Really Needs, Say Experts

Dry skin can often feel tight, rough and uncomfortable, particularly after bathing or during periods of low humidity. Choosing the right skincare products can help improve comfort and support the skin barrier. Dermatologists recommend looking beyond a product’s fragrance or texture and checking whether it contains ingredients that hydrate the skin, soften rough patches and reduce moisture loss.

According to dermatologist Dr Vaishnavi Verma of Yatharth Super Speciality Hospital, ingredients such as ceramides, hyaluronic acid, glycerin, squalane and shea butter can be particularly useful for dry skin. Ceramides help strengthen the skin barrier and reduce moisture loss, while humectants such as glycerin and hyaluronic acid attract and retain water. Squalane and shea butter work as emollients, helping soften rough and flaky areas and improving the overall feel of the skin.

Glycerin and hyaluronic acid are especially useful for adding hydration. Glycerin is a humectant that attracts water and helps maintain hydration, while hyaluronic acid can draw moisture towards the skin. However, these ingredients are generally more effective when paired with moisturising ingredients that help prevent water from escaping. A moisturiser containing a combination of humectants, emollients and barrier-supporting ingredients can therefore be more useful than relying on a single ingredient.

Also Read: Dry, Chapped Hands? Here's How To Restore Moisture and Softness

Ceramides and niacinamide can help support the skin barrier. Ceramides are naturally occurring lipids that form an important part of the skin barrier. When that barrier is weakened, moisture can escape more easily, potentially leaving the skin dry and sensitive. Niacinamide can also support the skin barrier and may improve the appearance and feel of rough skin with consistent use.

Shea butter, cocoa butter and almond oil are useful options for softer, smoother skin. Shea butter is rich in fatty acids and can provide particularly rich moisturisation for areas such as the hands, feet, elbows and knees. Cocoa butter works as an emollient and can help reduce moisture loss by leaving a protective layer on the skin. Almond oil can similarly soften rough areas and provide a nourishing feel without necessarily being as heavy as some thicker body butters.

The way skincare is applied also matters for people with dry skin. A gentle cleanser followed by moisturiser on slightly damp skin can help retain hydration. Dermatologists also advise avoiding very hot water and excessive cleansing because both can strip natural oils from the skin. For very dry or sensitive skin, fragrance-free products may be preferable, particularly when perfumes or strong active ingredients cause irritation.

Persistent dryness should not always be treated as a simple skincare concern. Redness, itching, cracking or inflammation that continues despite moisturising may require professional evaluation, as these symptoms can sometimes be associated with conditions such as eczema or contact dermatitis. For everyday dryness, however, products containing ceramides, glycerin, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, shea butter, cocoa butter or nourishing oils can form the foundation of a moisturising routine.

Also Read: Report Finds College Students Choosing Fitness and Rituals Over Nightlife