A person can moisturize daily to treat dry skin on their face.

The skin naturally produces an oil called sebum. When the skin produces too much oil, this can lead to  pimples. However, having some sebum on the skin is important for keeping it hydrated and protecting the cells from infection.

Skin that is not creating or replenishing enough sebum can become dry.

Dry skin can be itchy, and it may look flaky and bumpy or have red patches. Dehydrated skin lacks water and appears dull or rough.

Some potential causes of dry or dehydrated skin on the face include:

cold weatherdry airexposure to harsh chemicals in soaps or other productswashing the skin excessivelyunbalanced skin pHskin conditions, such as atopic dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis, and  psoriasis diabetes hypothyroidismsmokingspending too much time in direct sunlight

People can treat dry skin using several different methods. The best treatment option will depend on the cause of someone’s dry skin and its severity. Treatments also vary among different skin types, which can be normal, dry, oily, or combination.

Moisturize daily

Moisturizers, ointments, and creams improve the skin’s natural barrier function, which promotes  water retention.

Moisturizing overnight can provide extra benefits. A person can apply moisturizer to their face before bed and wash it off with a gentle cleanser in the morning.

Many different moisturizers are available to purchase. It can take some trial and error for a person to find the best one for their skin type.

Use a gentle cleanser

Soaps that contain fragrances, colors, and other chemicals can irritate and dry out the skin. It is generally better to opt for mild, fragrance-free cleansers or facial soaps and to avoid products that contain alcohols, artificial colors, and plastics.

Exfoliate to remove excess dry skin

A person can remove excess dry skin by exfoliating.The skin naturally makes new cells and sheds old cells, typically replacing itself within about  a month. When dead skin cells become stuck on the surface, people may notice dry patches and clogged pores.

Exfoliating helps remove dead skin cells, which can reduce dry patches and improve the skin’s overall texture.Exfoliators can be either mechanical or chemical.