What Causes Dry Patches On Your Face?

Xeroderma (dry skin) can appear as dry, white, purple, or red flaky patches on your skin. Skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis can make you more prone to experiencing dry skin patches. Certain medications and an allergy to a skincare product can also cause dry skin. Although dry skin can affect anyone, it is most common in older adults.1

A dermatologist (a doctor who specializes in skin conditions) can help you determine what is causing your dry skin and how to best treat it. Chronic (long-term) dry skin may require additional visits with your dermatologist to monitor your treatment progress.1

What Do Dry Patches on Your Face Look Like?

Dry patches of skin will look different on everyone based on your skin type. Generally, dryness makes your skin appear rough, flaky, and scaly.2

On lighter skin tones, some people may also notice red, pink, or white coloring on dry patches of skin. Dry patches can appear red, purple, or white on darker skin tones. Your skin may also look cracked. The size of dry patches of skin on your body may vary. Your skin may also feel more irritated or itchy when you touch it.2

Causes

There are many potential reasons why your skin may suddenly change in texture or appearance. Dry skin can be a temporary reaction to a change in your environment, a response to aging, or a symptom of an acute (short-term) or chronic (long-term) health condition.3

Environmental Exposure

Drastic weather changes are a common cause of dry skin. Extremely cold weather can make it more difficult for your skin to retain moisture. Low humidity in the air creates dry heat indoors and outdoors.4 Extremely hot weather and overexposure to the sun can also dry out your skin.3

If you start using new skincare products or have recently exposed your skin to certain chemicals, it can cause inflammation. For example, using harsh soaps or recently going into a chlorinated pool can cause your skin to feel dry.1

Coming into contact with substances you may have an allergy to can trigger allergic contact dermatitis. For substances that simply irritate your skin, you may experience irritant contact dermatitis.3

Protect your skin when using cleaning products, tending to plants, or using antibiotics that may be harsh on your skin. Chemicals, poisonous plants, metals, and antibiotics like neomycin are all common causes of contact dermatitis.3

Aging

Although dry skin affects people of all ages, it becomes more common as you get older. As you age, your skin naturally produces less sebum (oil). Sebum is what keeps your skin soft and moisturized. As you produce less sebum, wrinkles, and fine lines may become more apparent on your face as you age because of less moisture retention.56

Lechner A, Lahmann N, Lichterfeld‐Kottner A, et al. Dry skin and the use of leave‐on products in nursing care: A prevalence study in nursing homes and hospitals. Nurs Open. 2018;6(1):189-196. doi:10.1002/nop2.204

Several studies suggest that dry skin is more prevalent in elderly adults, especially people living in nursing homes or community care facilities.65 Older adults are more likely to have chronic or coexisting medical conditions that require medications that can increase your risk of dry skin.7

Eczema

Eczema, or atopic dermatitis, is a chronic skin condition that alters the protective layer of your skin. The main cause of eczema is still unknown, but researchers know it can be passed on genetically, triggered by stress and environmental factors, or may be due to the skin not producing enough of filaggrin (a protein that helps your skin stay moisturized).8

Symptoms typically include itching, dryness, redness, and rashes that may ooze or crust over. Eczema flare-ups (short bouts where symptoms appear) can show up as dry patches anywhere on your body at any time.8

Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a chronic skin disease caused by an overactive immune system. Researchers don’t know exactly what triggers this overactive immune response. Psoriasis causes skin cells to grow rapidly on top of each other.9

This causes red, white, or purple raised patches of inflamed dry skin. Depending on the severity of your psoriasis, some patches may crack or bleed. People with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) may also experience stiffness or pain in their joints.9

Hormonal Changes

Your hormonal balance has a big influence on the appearance and overall health of your skin. A hormonal imbalance can change the amount of collagen (a protein that helps form tissue) and sebum your skin produces. Pregnancy, menopause, and thyroid health conditions can all cause a hormonal imbalance.10

Lower estrogen levels can also reduce sebum in your skin. Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) or hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) can cause dryness, rashes, and skin discoloration.11

Less Common Causes

There are many other potential causes of dry patches of skin on your face that are less common. If none of the most common causes are the source of the dry skin on your face, a dermatologist may also consider the following potential causes:1

Chronic health conditions: Many health conditions, like diabetes, kidney disease, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and liver disease, can cause inflammation on your skin, sometimes resulting in dry patches.

Dietary changes: Not getting enough nutrients (malnutrition) or fluid (dehydration) can cause dry patches of skin. An eating disorder like anorexia nervosa (AN) can also affect your skin.1 AN is characterized by symptoms like extreme food restriction.

Precancerous cells: In rare cases, potentially cancerous cells can cause inflammation that shows up as dry patches of skin.12 Some people may have a precancerous skin growth called actinic keratosis—which can look like a dry, chapped, or irritated patch of skin from overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) light.13

When To See a Healthcare Provider

If a specific product causes your dry skin, symptoms will usually go away once you stop using the product. However, see a dermatologist if irritation continues and dry patches spread to other parts of your body. Seek emergency help if you are also experiencing fever, rash, or swelling.1415

A dermatologist or healthcare provider can help you make a treatment plan for your skin dryness. This usually involves soothing discomfort, replacing lost moisture, and protecting your skin so it can heal.16

A dermatologist can use a lighted, magnifying tool called a dermatoscope to examine your skin more closely. They may also remove a small sample of your skin (a biopsy) and send it to a lab for examination under a microscope.17

If you can’t see a dermatologist right away, your primary healthcare provider can examine your skin and refer you to a dermatologist or prescribe a topical medication to relieve symptoms.18

A healthcare provider will also ask about your medical history and any preexisting health conditions you may have. To treat itching and inflammation, dermatologists often prescribe topical corticosteroids.16

Treatments

You can minimize or even eliminate symptoms with a regular skincare routine that restores and maintains moisture on your skin. However, if an underlying health condition—like eczema, psoriasis, or a hormonal imbalance—is causing your dry skin, you may need to work with a healthcare provider to manage your condition.1

Taking certain medications can also increase the risk of dry skin on your face. Some topical and oral medications, like diuretics, can dry out your skin. Diuretics flush excess fluid from your body. Statins, commonly used to treat high cholesterol, can reduce moisture in your skin as well.1

Some prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) topical medications, such as acne treatments and retinoids, can disrupt your skin barrier, causing irritation and dryness.19 Certain medical treatments, like dialysis, chemotherapy, and radiation used for chronic health conditions, can also cause dry skin.20

Lifestyle Changes

There are many things you can do daily to relieve your dry skin symptoms, and most of them require only small changes to your routine.21

As soon as you shower or exfoliate your skin, moisturize it immediately with an occlusive (moisture-locking) ointment or cream. Common ingredients in moisturizing products include glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and ceramides.21

Everyday strategies to retain moisture in your skin include the following:21

Keep showers or baths under 10 minutes

Switch to fragrance-free and dye-free soaps, laundry detergents, and skincare

Avoid extreme heat and dry air

Wear moisturizing sunscreen

Use a humidifier during the winter22

Prevention

If you have an underlying health condition that causes dry skin, it may be hard to eliminate it completely, but you can take steps to prevent dry skin patches in the future.14

In the winter and summer, it’s important to protect your skin from harsh elements. This includes covering your skin in extremely cold weather and wearing sunscreen when outside for extended periods of time.14

Apply moisturizer at least once daily, even when your skin doesn’t feel dry. After seeing a dermatologist, you may notice dry patches starting to disappear completely. Even if symptoms appear managed, maintain your treatment plan for as long as your provider suggests. At your follow-up appointment, your dermatologist can determine whether or not you need to continue treatment.22

Complications

Leaving extremely dry skin untreated for too long can cause it to break down over time. If you are experiencing excessive itchiness, cracks or openings can begin to form, making your skin more vulnerable to skin infections.1

If your skin becomes infected, a dermatologist may prescribe a topical medication or antibiotic to treat the infection. People with other health conditions like diabetes or compromised immune systems are more likely to develop skin infections.23

A Quick Review

Dry skin is a common skin condition. Causes of dry skin can vary and may include an allergy to certain chemicals, fabrics, or metals. Chronic health conditions like eczema and psoriasis can also cause dry skin patches on your skin.

If you notice patches of dry skin appearing on your face, consult a dermatologist on how to best treat it. A dermatologist can provide you with a treatment plan and advice on how to best keep your skin moisturized.

DQH Knowledge drop: In your 20s, your skin cell turnover decreases. (Cell turnover is a key component in keeping your skin youthful.) You know what else slows down? Your collagen production. Starting in your 20s, collagen decreases by about 1 percent per year. Should you want to prevent fine lines and wrinkles, start by eliminating behaviors that contribute to premature aging. “If it’s bad for you, it’s bad for your skin,” says dermatologist Michel Somenek. “Cigarette smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and causes premature wrinkling and a dull skin texture. Making the repeated pursed motion to inhale can also cause smoker’s lines. Alcohol and recreational drugs are toxins for the skin that damage its cellular structure and DNA,” Somenek tells us. “The faster you eliminate vices while you are young, the better chance your skin and body have to recuperate.” Also, adopting an anti-aging routine in your 20s is key. After all, the best offense is a good defense. We spoke to Somenek and experts Joshua Ross and Audrey Kunin to find out more. Keep reading for the best anti-aging products for your 20s, according to skincare professionals. Sunscreen “We all know that the sun is the number one cause of skin aging and starting the prevention in your 20s is very important,” Ross says. “The majority of your sun damage won’t start to appear until you’re in your 30s, so don’t wait until you see it surface or you’ll be behind the curve. Stay ahead of it with a good-quality zinc-based sunscreen worn daily.” Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen An invisible sunscreen with SPF 30, plus botanical extracts meant to protect skin with tons of antioxidants. Bonus: It’s clean and fine to use under makeup. Bareminerals Complexion Rescue™ Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Although we recommend you use your SPF and moisturizer separately, we also understand moments when you don’t have time or energy for that extra step. For those times, this bareMinerals moisturizer is a great thing to have on hand. Vitamin C Serum “A great introduction to anti-aging is to start with a vitamin C serum in your morning skincare routine,” Ross says. “It’s a powerful antioxidant that will neutralize free radicals and brighten the skin.” He adds that it’s a great way to counteract the effects of the sun’s harmful rays, which, as previously mentioned, are among the biggest causes of premature aging. Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum The Drunk Elephant C-Firma is a lightweight serum that promises to give skin a glow by combining the brightening powers of vitamin C with ferulic acid, l-ascorbic acid, and vitamin E. The included sodium hyaluronate is meant to replace hydration loss, so you shouldn’t have to deal with any irritation. Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum This potent serum is jam-packed with vitamin C (15 percent, to be exact), which means it’s a potential superstar at both brightening skin and dousing it in antioxidants. Peptides Using peptides on your skin has many benefits, says Somenek. “The skin barrier is what defends the body against pollution, UV rays, bacteria, and toxins. It can be damaged by several everyday factors. Using topical peptides aids in building a stronger barrier,” he says. “Peptides comprise elastic fibers, which are a type of protein. These fibers help to make skin appear taut and firm. Peptides can also help repair damaged skin, relieve inflammation, and even out skin tone. Some peptides can kill acne-causing bacteria that is common in 20-somethings.” Kunin agrees, saying, “Peptides are an excellent entry point for supporting collagen.” She recommends looking for face and eye treatments that contain these collagen-boosting powerhouses. Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue Cream This Charlotte Tilbury super-emollient eye cream has a base of coconut oil and shea butter (read: it’s incredibly hydrating). Botanicals plus peptides are meant to help reduce dark circles and boost collagen, respectively. This creamy moisturizer serves up potent collagen-boosting peptides and pycnogenol, and antioxidant-rich vitamin C. “Instead of sitting on top of the skin, peptides penetrate the outer layer so they go deep. The ‘signals’ they send tell the cells to produce elastin and collagen, which are needed for youthful-looking skin,” explains Somenek. At-Home Peel Pads Remember that skin cell turnover fiasco we talked about earlier? One way to help support it is by exfoliating. “Exfoliation is important to help keep skin fresh and luminous,” Kunin says. She recommends using at-home peel pads as an easy and effective way to exfoliate. “The goal in your 20s is to fight the slowing pace of cell turnover. It is wise to use products that gently exfoliate, yet still remove oil and other impurities. Products that have Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) or Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) are a good choice.” According to Somenek, you should only exfoliate two to three times a week. “People of all ages are guilty of over-exfoliating and that can be too much of a good thing,” he says. Dermadoctor Kakadu C Intensive Vitamin C Peel Pad A few swipes of this Derma Doctor powerful peel pad promise to leave your skin glowing and smooth, thanks to the seven (yes, seven) types of chemical exfoliants, including AHA and BHA. It also contains vitamin C via Kakadu plum extract for added brightening and antioxidant protection. KEY INGREDIENTS Kakadu plum extract is sourced from the Kakadu plum, a fruit grown in northern Australia. It contains vitamin C, which restores the skin’s natural barrier, increases collagen production, and soothes irritation. Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel Pads These are the gold standard of peel pads, with a cult following and over 900 five-star reviews on Sephora. They’re easy to use and contain a blend of anti-aging exfoliating acids. Emollient Night Cream “In your 20s, you need to start upping the hydration in your skincare routine. You may have been cautious of over-moisturizing because of acne in your teens, but as you enter your 20s, your skin transitions and becomes drier,” Ross says. “I recommend an emollient night cream added into your evening skincare regimen.” “Twenty-somethings need to make sure that they are not using creams that will clog their pores and cause excess oil production,” says Somenek. Opt for non-comedogenic products. Cerave Skin Renewing Night Cream One great choice is the CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream, which is a non-comedogenic night cream that leaves skin soft and glowy. It combines the moisturizing powers of ceramides and hyaluronic acid. RoC Retinol Correxion Max Hydration Creme “The best night cream ingredients contain retinol, benzoyl peroxide, and/or salicylic acid or hyaluronic acid. The goal is to moisturize, yet remove excess oil,” says Somenek. This Roc Retinol Correxion cream fits the bill as it contains both hyaluronic acid and retinol so it promises to moisturize while also being non-comedogenic.

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