What causes extremely flaky skin?

Author: Ottilie Kilback  |  Last update: Thursday, October 2, 2025

It's a common condition that affects people of all ages. Dry skin, also known as xerosis or xeroderma, has many causes, including cold or dry weather, sun damage, harsh soaps, and overbathing.

Why do I have extremely flaky skin on my body?

Scaly skin is a symptom of many medical conditions, such as psoriasis, contact dermatitis, eczema, and fungal skin infections. Scaling is not a medical emergency. People who experience persistent scaling may want to contact their healthcare professional to discuss treatment options.

What vitamin deficiency causes dry flaky skin?

Vitamin or mineral deficiency: Skin requires nutrients to keep it healthy. If you're not getting enough vitamin D, vitamin A, niacin, zinc, or iron, you can develop excessively dry skin. Smoking: Cigarettes contain harmful chemicals that speed up how quickly your skin ages, so skin becomes drier.

How do you get rid of super dry, flaky skin?

Lifestyle and home remedies
  1. Gently wash your face at least twice a day. ...
  2. Moisturize. ...
  3. Use warm water and limit bath time. ...
  4. Use allergen-free moisturizing soap. ...
  5. Use a humidifier. ...
  6. Choose fabrics that are kind to your skin. ...
  7. Relieve itchiness.

Why is my excess skin flaking?

If you have peeling skin, it's a sign that your skin is healing from some type of damage. Sunburns, allergies and skin diseases cause skin to peel. Treatments for cancer, acne and aging can also cause peeling skin. Picking at peeling skin can lead to infection.

7 Reasons Why Your Skin Is Flaky & How To Fix It

What disease causes skin flaking?

What diseases cause scaly skin? You may have a skin condition, such as eczema, psoriasis, dandruff, or pityriasis rosea, or a genetic condition called ichthyoses. Or perhaps you have a fungal infection or autoimmune condition. If you're not sure, talk to your doctor and get medical help to figure it out.

How to get rid of excessive dead skin on body?

HOME REMEDIES TO REMOVE DEAD SKIN CELLS
  1. Coffee scrub. Coffee grounds make an effective exfoliant for removing dead skin cells. ...
  2. Oatmeal scrub. All skin types benefit from Oatmeal's gritty and granular texture for removing dead skin. ...
  3. Orange peel powder. ...
  4. Gram flour. ...
  5. Dry brushing.

What not to do with flaky skin?

Steer clear of deodorant soaps, perfumed soaps, and alcohol products, which can strip away natural oils. To avoid damaging the skin, stay away from bath sponges, scrub brushes, and washcloths. If you don't want to give them up altogether, be sure to use a light touch.

Why has my skin suddenly become dry and flaky?

The location where these dry patches form vary from person to person. It's a common condition that affects people of all ages. Dry skin, also known as xerosis or xeroderma, has many causes, including cold or dry weather, sun damage, harsh soaps, and overbathing.

What autoimmune disease causes dry flaky skin?

In more serious cases of Sjögren's syndrome, the immune system can attack other parts of the body, causing symptoms and conditions such as: dry skin.

Which soap is best for dry skin?

Best Soap for Dry Skin: Deep Hydration and Comfort
  • -25% Tulasi Soap 100g. ₹100. ...
  • -25% Aloevera Soap 100g. ₹100. ...
  • -14% Charcoal Soap 100g. ₹80. ...
  • -25% Herbal Soap 100g. ₹100. ...
  • -14% Out Of Stock. Multani Mitti Soap 100g. ₹80. ...
  • -25% Out Of Stock. Neem Soap 100g. ₹100. ...
  • -25% Turmeric / Kasturi Manjal Soap 100g. ₹100. ...
  • -25% Vettiver Soap 100g. ₹100.

Does drinking water help dry skin?

Staying hydrated is great, but is not necessarily the cure-all for dry skin, since it's more of an issue of water escaping through the skin.” However, if you are chronically dehydrated, drinking the right amount of water can help hydrate your skin.

What does flaky skin indicate?

Dry, flaky skin occurs when the outer layer of your skin loses moisture and natural oils, causing scaly skin that can sometimes flake away. This can be due to many reasons, such as genetic skin conditions and allergies; sun exposure and central heating; or using harsh skincare products that irritate your skin.

What is the best lotion for extremely dry skin?

Our Top Picks
  • Best Overall: CeraVe Moisturizing Cream, $18.
  • Best Exfoliating: Flamingo Deep Nourishing Cream, $13.
  • Best for Sensitive Skin: Kiehl's Ultra Body Mega Moisture Squalane Cream, $49.
  • Best Lightweight: Soft Services Carea Cream, $40.

Is vaseline good for flaking skin?

Pure petroleum jelly is very gentle on skin, making it perfect to soothe dry skin on all areas of the body and keep it hydrated at the same time. Choosing a good moisturizing lotion containing micro droplets of Vaseline® Jelly will help heal dry skin deep down for fast relief from itchy dryness.

How do you fix dry, flaky skin asap?

Post-shower, apply a layer of soothing, emollient lotion. If your skin is very dry or even scaly, try a luxuriously thick body butter loaded with non-fragrant, plant-based oils and butters. Don't use bar soap or bar cleansers, even on your body. Rather, switch to a hydrating cream or oil cleanser.

What is extremely dry skin a symptom of?

Environmental factors, such as cold weather or dry air, can cause dry skin. It may also be due to health conditions, including eczema, dehydration, and diabetes. People can resolve most cases of dry skin by taking simple steps, such as using moisturizer.

Is rubbing dead skin off bad?

“The best practice is to avoid over-scrubbing because you want to maintain a healthy and intact skin barrier,” Dr. Khalifian notes. Going too hard can leave your skin red and irritated. Use it after cleansing, and always follow with moisturizer to lock in hydration.

Which vitamin deficiency causes dry skin?

​Vitamin E​

One common deficiency associated with dull and dry skin is a lack of vitamin E. Vitamin E is an antioxidant that plays a crucial role in protecting the skin from damage caused by free radicals and oxidative stress. It helps maintain healthy skin by supporting cell function and skin barrier integrity.

What medications cause dry skin?

Certain medications like blood pressure drugs, cholesterol medications, acne treatments, wrinkle creams, and antihistamines can severely dry out the skin, especially in older adults. Diuretics, statins, antihistamines, and acne medications such as Accutane and Retin-A are examples of drugs that cause dry skin.

What foods cause flaky skin?

For example, having a diet high in fat, sugary foods, and baked goods may interfere with the skin's functions, leading to inflammation and dry skin. Additionally, drinking alcohol and using tobacco can accelerate the aging process and reduce skin thickness and hydration.

What is the best treatment for extremely dry skin?

How is dry skin treated?
  • Don't use harsh soaps, detergents, or perfumes. ...
  • Gently blot your skin dry. ...
  • Limit baths and showers to 5 to 10 minutes.
  • Apply moisturizer right after bathing or washing your hands.

What do Koreans use to remove dead skin?

Simply put, the chemical exfoliant uses exfoliating acids to dissolve dead cells from our skin. Two super common ingredients in Korean-made chemical exfoliants are salicylic acid (BHA) and glycolic acid (AHA), true stars of K-Beauty.

Which vitamin removes dead skin cells?

Our Vitamin C Cream promotes a natural glow by stimulating cell turnover, which helps remove dead skin cells.

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