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 drugs
8,260 pharmacies available

In short: dry skin usually improves with over-the-counter (OTC) medicines. On HartaFarmacii there are 5 commonly used options: Uree crema, Ceramide, Panthenol, Emolient lipidic, Glicerina topica. For each one you can compare the price across the Dr. Max, Tei, Catena and HelpNet chains and see which of the 8,260 pharmacies near you has it in stock, with prices updated daily. OTC treatment is suitable for mild, short-lived forms. See a doctor if signs such as painful fissures, bleeding; severe itching appear. This information is for general guidance only, is not medical advice and does not replace a specialist consultation — for a diagnosis, or if symptoms persist or worsen, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

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

OTC — no prescription

What you can 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, consult 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.

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Medicines for dry skin

Step by step

How to find a pharmacy fast for dry skin

Open the interactive map and grant location permission — you'll immediately see pharmacies sorted by distance, each with its opening hours and a one-tap route in Google Maps. If it's night or a weekend, switch on the 24/7 filter to keep only the on-call ones. For dry skin most of the listed remedies are over the counter, so you can walk in without a prescription, but check stock and prices on the comparator page first to avoid wasted trips.

If you have a preferred active ingredient (paracetamol, ibuprofen, etc.), search it in the comparator before you leave — you'll see which chain has it cheapest near you and whether it's in stock. For chronic prescriptions, save your favourite pharmacy in the app and turn on hours notifications — it saves unnecessary trips, especially when treatment for dry skin runs over weeks.

See also

Related symptoms and conditions

Symptom

Mâncărime

Mâncărimea (pruritul) e una dintre cele mai frecvente probleme dermatologice. Cauze: piele uscată, alergii, dermatită, boli sistemice (tiroidă, ficat, rinichi).

 Symptom

Mătreață

Mătreața = descuamarea excesivă a scalpului, cu mâncărime variabilă. Cauză: Malassezia + seboree + factori individuali. Formă ușoară a dermatitei seboreice.

 Condition

Dermatită atopică

Dermatita atopică e boală cronică inflamatorie cutanată cu prurit, uscăciune, eczeme recurente. Apare în contextul triadei atopice (astm, rinita alergică). Debut frecvent în copilărie.

 Condition

Eczemă

Eczema (dermatita) = inflamație cutanată cu eritem, prurit, vezicule sau scuame. Forme: atopică, de contact (iritativă sau alergică), seboreică, numulară, dishidrotică, stasis.

 Condition

Hipotiroidism

Hipotiroidismul = deficit de hormoni tiroidieni. Cauza principală — tiroidita autoimună Hashimoto. Simptome: oboseală, îngrășare, constipație, piele uscată, depresie, bradicardie.

Frequently asked

What else do you want 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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