Do You Have Dry Skin Behind Your Ears? Dermatologist Reveals 10 Treatment Options

You may care a lot about your face, but have you thought about your ears, too? According to dermatologist Dr. Geeta Yadav, the skin on your ears is one of the most neglected areas of skin on the body, which can lead to dryness, irritation, and/or unwanted flaking. However, neglect is just one of many causes of dry skin behind the ears, as age, environment, skin type, or chronic skin conditions like psoriasis or eczema can also cause flaking. We spoke with Dr. Yadav and double-board certified dermatologist Karan Lal DO about how to prevent and treat dry patches behind the ears. Read on to learn about the causes, possible remedies, and when you should see a professional.

Causes of Dry Skin Behind the Ears

“The ears are rarely moisturized and even less often cleaned,” says Dr. Yadav. “Dryness behind the ears is a relatively common occurrence. It’s usually caused by common causes.” She mentions fluctuations in temperature or humidity, sunburn, or eczema. ” In other cases, it could be a sign of an allergy or even a fungal infection.

If you have sudden dryness behind your ears and you’re not sure why, consider factors like weather, your recent activity, or changes in the skin and hair products you’ve been using to determine the cause.

When to see a professional

In general, you should see a dermatologist regularly to have your skin checked. If you notice anything unusual or if irritation persists, discuss it at your next appointment, or consider calling for advice or rescheduling an earlier appointment if necessary. However, not all dry patches need to be treated with medication. In many cases, you can try home remedies first (see below for a few options), as dryness behind the ears is often caused by seasonal changes or neglecting to care for the area. If DIY If the method doesn’t seem to be working, make an appointment.

The main cause of dry patches behind the ears is infection. If you notice that the skin is infected or inflamed, contact your doctor immediately. This happens when dry skin is scratched or broken, allowing unwanted bacteria to enter. If you are not sure if the area is infected, it is better to be safe than sorry. When in doubt, we recommend seeking help from your doctor.

How to Treat Dry Skin Behind the Ears

Gentle Cleansing

If you suffer from xerosis and don’t typically include your ears in your skincare routine, cleaning your ears with a gentle, moisturizing formula may be a good place to start. Dr. Lal emphasizes the importance of using a gentle cleanser on the tops of your ears. “Properly cleaning the area helps prevent an overgrowth of bacteria and yeast,” he says. This helps prevent dry patches from forming.

Exfoliate Regularly

After cleansing, the natural next step in keeping the skin behind your ears (or anywhere on your face and body) in check is to exfoliate. The skin around your ears is delicate, so vigorous exfoliation isn’t necessary. If the area is particularly delicate, Dr. Yadav gently wipes behind the ears with a damp washcloth to remove loose and flaking skin: “This allows you to effectively moisturize and nourish the new skin underneath, preventing future dryness, rather than treating dead skin that’s already flaking.” ”

Apply a Moisturizer

After thoroughly cleansing the area, Dr. Yadav applies a small pump of moisturizer. She likes Cetaphil Daily Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 35 (which has a lightweight texture and supports the skin barrier) or CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30 (rich with soothing niacinamide and hydrating hyaluronic acid).

Apply an Occlusive

Both Dr. Lal and Dr. Yadav told us that using an occlusive (like Aquaphor’s Healing Ointment) after moisturizer is the best way to lock in nutrients. “This keeps the skin behind the ear super hydrated,” says Dr. Yadav. “If you have long hair, this can be a little messy, so I recommend using this technique at night while your hair is tied up in a topknot.” ”

If you prefer natural herbal remedies, you can also opt for those. “A small amount of coconut oil can provide the same long-lasting nourishing and moisturizing benefits, and it tastes delicious,” Dr. Yadav told us.

Use hydrocortisone cream

Both Dr. Yadav and Dr. Lal recommend incorporating hydrocortisone cream into your daily routine. “If the dry skin behind your ears is very sensitive, itchy, and irritated, use a hydrocortisone cream,” Dr. Yadav tells us. This mixture of a topical anesthetic and a corticosteroid can soothe any discomfort you’re feeling. She also notes that these formulas often have an occlusive base that provides long-lasting protection from dryness.

Avoid potentially irritating products

Even if your ears don’t have their own skin-care routine, they’re probably exposed to more products than you think. Products like shampoo, cologne, or sprays can irritate the skin on your ears, especially sensitive ones. For this reason, Dr. Lal says, avoid irritants altogether. Instead, look for gentler shampoos and conditioners, and be mindful of the amount of perfume and other products you use.

Wear jewelry that’s meant for sensitive skin

Jewelry is another potential irritant for the skin behind your ears. Not all metals are created equal, so look for jewelry made from 100% Jewelry made of titanium or precious metals like gold or sterling silver to avoid irritation.

Cover your ears

If you live in an area with cold weather, always bring a hat with you, as particularly cool temperatures can exacerbate cracked or broken skin. Bonus points if your hat is made of a skin-friendly material like cotton or linen.

Use a humidifier

According to the Cleveland Clinic, using a humidifier can moisten the air and help relieve conditions like dry skin and eczema. 1

See a dermatologist

This step is last on the list for good reason. Generally, this shouldn’t be your first step in treating dry skin behind your ears, but if the above steps don’t solve your problem or you have other worrisome symptoms, you should consult your doctor for advice.

DQH Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C? It’s easy to create a skincare routine, but knowing how to use it is another thing entirely. In most cases, if you’re not getting the desired skin results, it could be due to the layering of conflicting ingredients. So, is it possible that salicylic acid and vitamin C are such ingredients? Or are these active ingredients the duo that’s been missing from your skincare routine? If you want answers, stick around because today we are going to explain the benefits of salicylic acid and vitamin C and how they can be used in your daily life. What are the benefits of salicylic acid for skin? Salicylic acid is one of the most commonly used beta hydroxy acids and is favored by many people with oily, acne-prone skin. This acid is derived from willow bark, and unlike its water-soluble relatives (called alpha-hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble, which means it can penetrate deeper into the lower layers of the skin. Once it reaches the lower layers, it can help unclog pores of excess sebum, dirt, bacteria, debris, and impurities. This results in clearer skin tones and greater definition. Not only does salicylic acid benefit the underlying layers, but the outer surface of the skin benefits as well. When applied to the skin, salicylic acid removes the buildup of dead skin cells. This is accomplished by breaking the bonds that hold dead cells to the surface. Over time, this can cause the complexion to look dull and prone to acne, blackheads, and other blemishes. If you’d like to learn more about salicylic acid and how it can improve your skin, check out this dedicated blog post from a beauty insider. What are the benefits of vitamin C for skin? Vitamin C is considered one of the most powerful antioxidants, which means it is very effective at fighting free radicals and preventing them from causing further skin damage. Examples of free radicals include pollution, central heating, UV rays and harsh climate. They attack proteins, fats and cell membranes as soon as they come into contact with the skin, causing signs of premature aging such as fine lines and wrinkles as well as hyperpigmentation, flaky patches of skin and loss of elasticity. Many people usually prefer to use vitamin C in their morning routine as this ingredient gives the complexion a radiant glow. You’ll also find that vitamin C can target areas of hyperpigmentation, plumping the skin and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The thing about vitamin C is that there are a lot of outdated studies going back to the 1950s that describe vitamin C as an unstable skin component. Thanks to improvements in modern technology, this is no longer the case as all products now contain a stable form of vitamin C. Visit The Beauty Insider to learn more about vitamin C. So please check out our blog post. Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C? Yes, you absolutely can. In fact, it’s thought that using salicylic acid before using vitamin C ensures it penetrates faster and works faster. This is an efficient way to utilize two power sources, and the reason has to do with pH. For example, the skin’s natural pH is about 4.7, making it slightly acidic. Salicylic acid and vitamin C are also both acidic, and you’ll find that vitamin C is absorbed quickly into the skin. Therefore, using salicylic acid beforehand can increase the acidity of the skin and allow vitamin C to penetrate into the skin faster. While this is considered an effective way to combine two powerful ingredients, you need to be aware of your skin type and how it reacts to certain active ingredients. Even people with perfect, normal skin can experience skin sensitivity and irritation. Therefore, always consult a doctor or dermatologist before using any new products on your skin. It’s also important to follow skin application rules. In this case, you need to use the product correctly to ensure you get the best results for your skin. If you’re not sure what I mean, the basic rule for skin is to start with the thinnest consistency and work your way up to the thickest consistency. This prevents a barrier from forming on the surface, preventing other active ingredients from penetrating the skin. Can I use salicylic acid at night and vitamin C in the morning? Yes, absolutely, this is considered the most effective way to get returns without any adverse side effects. This is because there is enough time between applications to ensure that the skin’s pH levels return to balance. You’ll also find that Vitamin C is rich in antioxidants and is perfect for use in the morning to ensure your skin is protected and looking its healthiest. Due to the small size of salicylic acid molecules, it is an acid that is able to reach the deepest parts of the skin. While this is effective at keeping skin clear, it also increases the risk of irritation and photosensitivity. Therefore, many people prefer to use powerful BHAs in their evening routine without exposure to UV rays, pollution, or harsh weather. Warning: If you avoid using sunscreen every day, none of these ingredients will do what your skin needs. The combination of chemical peels and powerful ingredients increases the risk of further damage to the skin’s surface. Use SPF 50 every day to keep your skin protected and your lipid barrier healthy, even on cloudy days, keeping your skin in top condition.

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