What's Up Docs? How should you relieve dry skin?
Nov 25, 2025
Dr. Tess McPherson, an Associate Professor of Paediatric and Adolescent Dermatology at Oxford, shares her expertise on dry skin and effective skincare routines. She reveals the root causes of dry skin, including genetic factors and the importance of balancing water and oils. Dr. McPherson explains the benefits of using fragrance-free emollients over traditional soaps, emphasizes the need for simplicity in skincare, and discusses how products can often do more harm than good. She also addresses the uniqueness of skin across different ethnicities and the effect of beauty standards.
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Dry Skin Is A Barrier Problem
- Dry skin means the skin's barrier holds less moisture, driven largely by genetics.
- Barrier disruption causes flaking and makes skin prone to eczema and dryness.
Switch To Emollient Washes
- Avoid soaps and fragranced cleansers if you have dry skin and switch to emollient wash products.
- Use fragrance-free emollients that don't strip oils and can even be used as cleansers.
Always Moisturize After Washing
- Don't rely on water alone for cleansing; water by itself is drying for dry skin.
- Always pair washing with an appropriate moisturiser or emollient to preserve hydration.