Understanding dry skin causes is the first step to feeling comfortable in your skin again: that tight feeling after a shower, the itch that won't quit, legs that turn ashy within hours. As a nurse for more than 10 years, I've learned that dry skin isn't something you just have to live with, but it does ask you to understand what's going on before you pick your products. On Black and brown skin, this matters even more: dryness shows up more visibly (that ashy look), and scratching can leave dark marks that last.

In this article, I'll explain what dry skin really is, its most common causes, how to recognize it, and a simple routine that helps your skin feel comfortable again.

What is dry skin, exactly?

Dry skin, which doctors call xerosis, is skin that lacks lipids and doesn't hold on to water well. The outermost layer of your skin (the stratum corneum) works like a brick wall: skin cells are the bricks, and a mortar made of lipids (ceramides, cholesterol, fatty acids) holds them together. Your skin also contains small molecules that attract and hold water, known as natural moisturizing factors.

When that "mortar" gets depleted, your skin barrier becomes leakier: water evaporates faster, your skin feels tight, flakes, and gets irritated more easily. It's a vicious cycle, because a weakened barrier dries out even faster.

Dry skin isn't the same as dehydrated skin, which mainly lacks water and can affect any skin type. I explain the difference in my article on dry vs. dehydrated skin.

The most common causes of dry skin

Dry skin rarely has just one cause. Most of the time, several factors add up.

External causes (the most common)

Hot or long showers: hot water strips away the lipids on the surface of your skin.
Harsh soaps and body washes, especially very foamy or heavily fragranced ones.
Cold, wind, and indoor heating: dry winter air and heated rooms speed up water loss.
Hard water, which can leave a film on your skin and make it feel even tighter.
Friction: rough washcloths, towels rubbed hard against the skin, tight or synthetic clothing.

Causes that come from you

Your skin type: some people naturally have drier skin, especially when atopic eczema runs in the family.
Age: over the years, your skin produces less sebum and fewer lipids, which is why dryness often sets in after 50.
Hormonal changes, for example during pregnancy or menopause.
Some medications can dry out the skin (for example, certain acne treatments or certain diuretics). Never stop a treatment on your own: talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

When dry skin is a sign of something else

Severe, sudden, or persistent dry skin can come with a skin condition (eczema, psoriasis, ichthyosis) or a general health condition such as a thyroid disorder, diabetes, or kidney disease. That's not the most common scenario, but it's a good reason not to brush off dryness that changes suddenly.

How to recognize dry skin

The most common signs are:

a tight feeling, especially after showering;
skin that feels rough and less supple;
fine flakes that come off, sometimes visible on dark clothes;
itching, often worse in the evening or at night;
in more severe cases, small cracks, especially on the heels, hands, or shins.

On Black and brown skin, dryness mostly shows up as an ashy or grayish look, especially on the legs, elbows, knees, and hands. Skin looks dull, and whitish lines appear when you scratch. The areas most affected are usually the shins, forearms, backs of the hands, and feet, because they have fewer oil glands.

Dry skin on Black skin: why you should pay attention

Dry skin itches, and on deeper skin tones, repeated scratching can lead to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation: darker marks that can take months to fade. Skin can also thicken from constant rubbing. That's why I recommend caring for dryness early, with gentle habits, instead of waiting for the itch to take over. If you already have marks, my article on dark spots on Black skin will help you understand where they come from.

A step-by-step routine for dry skin

Shorten your shower: 5 to 10 minutes, with lukewarm rather than hot water.
Choose a gentle cleanser, without harsh soap, and focus it on the areas that need it (underarms, skin folds, feet). There's no need to lather your shins for long.
Pat yourself dry with a soft towel instead of rubbing.
Moisturize within 3 minutes, while your skin is still slightly damp. A body lotion rich in glycerin, like the ones in our body lotion collection (glycerin, lactic acid, grape seed oil), helps hold water in your skin.
Nourish the driest areas: on your shins, elbows, knees, and heels, add a layer of body butter (shea butter and cocoa butter) to help limit water loss.
Exfoliate in moderation: one gentle scrub a week is enough for dry skin, and never on irritated or cracked skin or during an eczema flare.
Mind your environment: air out your home, don't overheat your bedroom, drink regularly, and choose cotton next to your skin.

For a more detailed routine, read my article on dry Black skin: causes and routine. And if your skin mostly itches right after you shower, check out itchy skin after a shower.

Mistakes that keep your skin dry

Taking very hot showers, even though they feel great in winter.
Scrubbing too often to get rid of the ashy look: it weakens your skin barrier even more.
Applying your moisturizer on completely dry skin, an hour after showering.
Scratching: on Black skin, it raises the risk of dark marks. Apply your moisturizer or a cool compress to the area instead.
Using heavily fragranced products on irritated or cracked skin. If your skin is reactive, stick to simple textures and always patch test a new product on a small area first.
Stopping your moisturizer as soon as things improve: dryness comes back quickly without a consistent routine.

When to see a doctor

Make an appointment with your primary care provider or a dermatologist if:

your dry skin doesn't improve after 2 to 3 weeks of consistent care;
the itching keeps you up at night;
you notice red, purplish, or very dark patches, oozing, crusting, or cracks that bleed;
the dryness came on suddenly, spreads all over your body, or comes with other symptoms (unusual fatigue, extreme thirst, weight loss or gain);
you started a new medication and your skin has changed since.

A medical visit can identify eczema, psoriasis, or another cause, and lead to the right treatment if needed. Skin care supports your skin every day, but it doesn't replace a diagnosis.

Frequently asked questions

How do you get rid of dry skin fast?

There's no instant fix, but many people notice a difference within a few days by combining short, lukewarm showers, a gentle cleanser, and a moisturizer applied to damp skin morning and night. If nothing changes after 2 to 3 weeks, see a doctor.

What deficiency causes dry skin?

Significant deficiencies (in certain fatty acids, vitamins, or iron, for example) can affect your skin, but they're far from the most common cause. Don't take supplements at random: if you're unsure, your doctor can order a blood test.

What is the best moisturizer for dry skin?

Look for a formula that combines ingredients that attract water, like glycerin, with rich ingredients that slow water loss, like plant butters. I help you choose in my guide to body cream for very dry skin.

Why is my skin so dry even though I drink a lot of water?

Drinking enough water matters for your health, but it isn't enough to hydrate the outer layer of your skin. Dryness mainly comes from a skin barrier that's low in lipids: your daily habits (shower, cleanser, moisturizer) are what make the difference.

Is dry skin more common on Black skin?

Some studies suggest that Black skin may lose water a little more easily, but the results aren't all consistent. What's certain is that dryness is more visible, with that ashy look, and that scratching makes dark marks more likely.

The bottom line

Dry skin comes from a skin barrier that's low in lipids, often made worse by hot water, harsh soaps, cold weather, and indoor heating. On Black and brown skin, it shows up as an ashy look and can leave dark marks if you scratch. A simple, consistent routine (short lukewarm showers, a gentle cleanser, body lotion on damp skin, body butter on the driest areas) often brings real comfort. If your dry skin persists, gets worse, or comes with other symptoms, see a doctor. And if you have a question about your routine, write to me.

Written by Aissatou, a nurse for more than 10 years and founder of WITH CARE.