8 Ways to Remove Dead Skin From Your Face, According to Dermatologists

Moisturize With Hyaluronic Acid

Dr. Zeichner recommends looking for ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, which "acts like a sponge to pull in hydration to the outer skin layers." Dry skin that's peeling is often genetic, so if your grandma, mom, dad, aunt, uncle, etc., suffer from dry skin too, chances are you can blame them.

If you've inherited the "dry skin" gene, you aren't alone. In fact, plenty of people aren't able to maintain adequate hydration because of this. Luckily, Dr. Zeichner says moisturizers can help. He especially recommends Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water-Gel.

Ensuring you are always properly hydrated on the inside is also important to prevent dryness and dehydration of the skin. Currently, the CDC currently recommends consuming enough water each day for overall health and that intake can vary by, "age, sex, pregnancy, and breastfeeding status" while other experts say you should aim to drink about half your weight in ounces of water each day.

Wash Your Face Less Frequently

Overwashing can dry out your skin, so if this sounds like something you're guilty of, try washing your face less often. That squeaky clean feeling you get after giving your face a good thorough cleansing—well, if you've been chasing after that feeling while washing your face each day, you'll probably want to stop.

Dr. Zeichner says that sensation "is actually harmful to the skin and represents post-wash dryness." This, he says, can lead to redness, dryness, and flaking of the skin. So if you think you've been over-washing, he recommends sticking to a more gentle cleanser that won’t compromise the integrity of the skin barrier⁠—like Dove's Beauty Bar for Sensitive Skin, "which hydrates the skin while cleansing."

Try Washing Your Face With a Dandruff Shampoo... Seriously

Washing your face with dandruff shampoo can help if the culprit for your flaky skin is perioral dermatitis. Contrary to what you might think, slathering on the moisturizer won't help if your flaky skin is due to this condition. It may, unfortunately, make things worse.

"Moisturizers may actually make this condition worse because they can create an oily environment that encourages yeast growth," Zeichner says. Instead, he recommends sticking to products called zinc pyrithione, which is "an ingredient that lowers levels of yeast and reduces inflammation and flaking." He recommends Kamedis Dandruff Shampoo.

But wait, use a shampoo... on your face? Yep.

He says, "Use this shampoo like a liquid cleanser for your face. Apply, lather, and rinse off after singing 'Happy Birthday' to give it enough contact time on the skin for it to do its job."

Use a Petrolatum-Based Cream

Petroltatum-based creams can provide a barrier for your skin to help seal in moisture and prevent its loss. Dr. Rita Linkner of Spring Street Dermatology in NYC says that during this time of year, eczema is one of the most common causes of dry facial skin. "With humidity levels dropping with temperatures, skin that runs on the sensitive end of the spectrum is sure to flare up," she says.

If this is happening to you, she recommends changing up your skincare routine. "Moving from serums or lotions to creams that are petrolatum-based is the easiest first move. If this alone doesn't help, then a prescription-strength steroid is best." She swears by Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream for the body and Alastin Ultra Nourishing Moisturizer for the face for both eczema and psoriasis-prone patients.

Look For Products With Anti-Inflammatory Benefits

Some causes of dry, flaky, dead, or otherwise uncomfortable skin on your face are due to inflammatory conditions like rosacea. Rosacea is a common condition where the skin on the face is extra sensitive and overactive to the environment, explains Zeichner. It commonly manifests as red or pink skin, redness, flaking, and bumps (or even pus pimples in some cases). 

If you find that you are experiencing redness, sensitivity, and flaking simultaneously, you just might be suffering from Rosacea. In this scenario, he suggests opting to use moisturizers that contain soothing and anti-inflammatory ingredients—such as Aveeno's Ultra Calming Nourishing Night Cream—which contains calming feverfew (a flowering plant that is similar to the daisy) and skin-protecting and soothing colloidal oatmeal. 

Be Consistent With Your Skincare Routine

Consistency can help you nail down the potential root of your skin woes. If you're experiencing flakiness and you've recently changed up your skincare routine, it's possible you might be suffering from contact dermatitis, which Zeichner explains is a skin rash and/or peeling of the skin "caused by direct contact of a product to the skin leading to either irritation or a true allergy."

If you have just introduced new products and are now struggling with flaking or peeling skin, Zeichner advises, "Stop using anything new, and if the rash does not improve visit your dermatologist for allergy testing."

Make Changes to Your Environment

When humidity drops during some parts of the year or due to controlled indoor environments, changing your air quality and humidity level can help. Even if humidity isn't a concern, changing your environment might prevent dry, dead skin on your face.

The American Academy of Dermatology Association (AAD) recommends:

• Keep your bathroom door closed
• Avoid hot water that can strip the skin, and use warm or cool water instead
• Keep showers and baths to 5 or 10 minutes long.
• Wash your face with gentle, fragrance-free cleansers only.
• Use cleanser sparingly; apply just enough to remove dirt and oil, not a thick lather.
• Avoid rubbing your skin or using an abrasive cloth; gently blot your face dry with a soft towel or microfiber cloth.
• Apply moisturizer directly after drying your skin to seal in moisture.

Re-Think Your Products

You might be using products that do more harm than good while not using ones that can help your skin. Often, the most common culprits for dry skin on your face include ingredients like retinoids and hydroxy acids, which can irritate sensitive skin. At the same time, "preservatives and fragrances" may also lead to allergies and irritation.

Instead, look for ingredients such as jojoba oil, dimethicone, glycerine, lactic acid, lanolin, mineral oil, and shea butter, which can all help seal in moisture, prevent its loss and soothe dry, dead skin on your face, according to the AAD.