Home Symptoms Dry skin

Dry skin — what to take?

Dry skin (xerosis) loses water and lipids, becoming rough, flaky, sometimes itchy, with a tendency toward eczema. Causes: winter, ageing, hot showers, genetics, illness.

Also known as: xerosis dehydrated skin rough skin
5 recommended OTC medicines
8,928 pharmacies available

In short: Dry skin (xerosis) develops when the skin barrier loses water and lipids, becoming rough, flaky and sometimes itchy, especially in winter or after hot showers. Barrier-repairing OTC products — creams with urea, ceramides, panthenol, lipid-rich emollients or glycerin — can ease the appearance and the discomfort. On HartaFarmacii you can compare the prices of these options across major pharmacies (Dr. Max, Tei, Catena, HelpNet), with prices updated daily. This information is for guidance only and does not replace medical advice; see a doctor if painful cracks that bleed appear.

Data verified on from public sources (OpenStreetMap, chain websites, ANM/MS) — updated daily.

OTC — no prescription

What can you take for dry skin?

Emolient lipidic

La Roche-Posay Lipikar · Eucerin AtopiControl

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Informational only — HartaFarmacii is not an approved medical site. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking any medicine. Don't self-medicate. Emergencies: 112.

When to see a doctor

If any of these signs appear, see a doctor — OTC treatment is not enough:

  • Painful fissures, bleeding
  • Severe itching
  • Rapid spread, eczema
  • Suspected hypothyroidism (fatigue, cold intolerance, weight gain)
  • Known kidney failure

Causes

External factors: dry air, wind, cold, harsh soaps, pool chlorine, sun. Internal: ageing, systemic dehydration, hypothyroidism, atopic dermatitis, diabetes, kidney failure.

OTC treatment

Rich emollients:

  • Ceramides (CeraVe, Avène Xeracalm) — repair the barrier.
  • Urea 5-10% (Eucerin, Topicrem) — strong moisturizer.
  • Glycerin, hyaluronic acid — humectant.
  • Shea butter, beeswax — occlusives.
  • Panthenol (vitamin B5) — reparative.
  • Squalane.

Gentle cleanser — soap-free, with physiological pH, oil-based (Aveeno, La Roche-Posay Lipikar Syndet).

Bath oil — if the skin is very dry.

Daily rules

  • Short shower (5-10 min), lukewarm, NOT hot.
  • Pat the skin dry, do not rub it with the towel.
  • Apply emollient within the first 3 minutes after showering (locked-in hydration).
  • Moisturize twice a day.
  • Humidifier in the bedroom (40-60% humidity).
  • Oral hydration 1.5-2 L/day.

When it is a disease

Very dry skin with eczema, painful fissures, severe itching, extensive involvement — suspect atopic dermatitis, ichthyosis, hypothyroidism. Dermatological investigations and treatment.

Medical disclaimer: the information in this guide is for informational purposes only and does not replace the advice of a doctor or pharmacist. For diagnosis and treatment, consult a healthcare professional.

Medicines compared

Medicines used for dry skin

This list is for guidance only, generated automatically from the DCI/category match. It is not a medical recommendation — consult your doctor before starting any treatment.

This list is not a medical recommendation. Consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Night-time, weekends, public holidays

24/7 pharmacies for dry skin

Dry skin doesn't keep office hours. If you need a medicine at 2 a.m. or at the weekend, open the map with the 24/7 filter switched on and look for the nearest on-duty pharmacy. Large cities have dozens of pharmacies open around the clock — below you have direct access to the list for each city, with address, phone number and verified opening hours.

Call before you set off, especially at night — on-duty rotas change and stock of some prescription medicines can be limited between deliveries.

Search the pharmacy

Medicine categories for dry skin

Step by step

How to find a pharmacy fast for dry skin

Open the interactive map and allow location access — you will immediately see pharmacies sorted by distance, each with its opening hours and a one-tap route in Google Maps. If it is night or the weekend, switch on the 24/7 filter to keep only the on-duty ones. For dry skin many medicines are available over the counter, so you can go straight to the pharmacy without a prescription, but check availability on the price comparator first to avoid wasted trips.

If you have a preferred active substance (for example paracetamol or ibuprofen), search for it in the comparator before you leave — you will see which chain has it cheapest near you and whether it is in stock. If you have a repeat prescription, save your preferred pharmacy as a favourite in the app and turn on opening-hours notifications — it saves unnecessary trips, especially if treatment for dry skin goes on for a while.

See also

Related symptoms and conditions

Symptom

Itching

Itching (pruritus) is one of the most common dermatological problems. Causes: dry skin, allergies, dermatitis, systemic diseases (thyroid, liver, kidney).

 Symptom

Dandruff

Dandruff = excessive scaling of the scalp, with variable itching. Cause: Malassezia + seborrhea + individual factors. A mild form of seborrheic dermatitis.

 Condition

Atopic dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease with itching, dryness and recurrent eczema. It develops in the context of the atopic triad (asthma, allergic rhinitis). Onset is frequently in childhood.

 Condition

Eczema

Eczema (dermatitis) = skin inflammation with erythema, itching, blisters or scales. Forms: atopic, contact (irritant or allergic), seborrheic, nummular, dyshidrotic, stasis.

 Condition

Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism = thyroid hormone deficiency. Main cause — Hashimoto autoimmune thyroiditis. Symptoms: fatigue, weight gain, constipation, dry skin, depression, bradycardia.

Frequently asked questions

What else would you like to know?

What is the best moisturizer for very dry skin?
A combination of urea 5-10% + ceramides + panthenol. In the evening, apply generously and cover with long-sleeved pyjamas.
Is coconut oil good?
On the body — useful. On the face — comedogenic, avoid it if you have acne. Shea butter is better tolerated.
Why does my skin get dry in winter?
Dry air + wind + indoor heating = increased evaporation. Use a humidifier, a thick emollient, and limit the duration of showers.
Does internal dehydration affect the skin?
Partly — oral hydration matters but is not enough. Topical application of occlusives is essential for the skin barrier.

See also

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