Dry and Itchy Face? Here's How to Treat It

A dry and itchy face can be uncomfortable and disruptive to your daily routine. The itchiness often creates the urge to scratch, even though doing so can actually make the condition worse.

Some people naturally have dry facial skin, but dryness can also be caused by external factors such as weather, pollution, lifestyle, or using the wrong skincare products. Should you be concerned if your skin feels dry?

In many cases, dry and itchy skin goes away on its own, whether you treat it or not. However, if the condition worsens or becomes persistent, it may be time to consult a dermatologist.

Signs of Dry Face

If you're experiencing some of the issues below, there's a good chance your skin is dry. For a more accurate diagnosis, it's always best to speak with a dermatologist.

1. Redness

Dry skin often comes with mild to moderate irritation, which usually appears as redness, especially around the cheeks and nose. These red areas tend to feel itchy and uncomfortable.

2. Skin Feels Tight and Rough

After washing your face or when exposed to cold weather, your skin may feel tight, stiff, and uncomfortable. This happens because your skin is lacking its natural moisture, usually provided by sebum or natural oils.

3. Itchiness

The itchiness that comes with dry skin is caused by a weakened skin barrier. As a result, nerve endings on the skin’s surface become more sensitive and easily irritated. Skin that lacks natural oil is also more vulnerable to friction, temperature changes, and external substances that trigger itchiness.

4. Flaky or Scaly Skin

Severe dryness can cause the skin to appear flaky, with fine, dry patches—especially around the forehead, mouth, and cheeks. This condition is often accompanied by itching and a rough texture when touched.

Also read: Natural Ways to Take Care of Your Skin

Causes of Dry and Itchy Face

Now that you know the signs of dry skin, it’s also important to understand what might be causing it. Below are some of the most common reasons your skin feels dry and itchy:

1. Cold Weather

Cold air usually has very little humidity. As temperatures drop, your skin produces less natural oil, which makes it harder to stay moisturized.

This can leave your skin feeling tight, rough, and itchy. Wind exposure can make it worse by speeding up moisture loss from the surface of your skin.

2. Dry Air

Whether you're indoors or outside, dry air pulls moisture from everything around it—including your skin.

When there’s not enough humidity, the outer layer of your skin can dry out easily and become more prone to irritation and itching.

3. Harsh Skincare Products

Products that contain alcohol, synthetic fragrance, or strong detergents can damage your skin’s natural barrier.

That barrier plays a key role in holding in moisture and protecting against irritation. When it’s compromised, your skin becomes more sensitive and dries out faster.

Switching to products made with natural ingredients, like L’Occitane’s dry skin care can help. The collection includes gentle cleansers, toners, moisturizers, serums, and more.

4. Disrupted Skin pH

Healthy skin naturally has a pH between 4.5 and 5.5, which helps keep the skin barrier and microbiome in balance.

Cleansers or other products with a high pH level can disrupt this balance, making your skin more vulnerable to dryness and irritation.

5. Skin Conditions

Certain skin conditions, such as eczema or psoriasis, can lead to extreme dryness, flaking, or itching.

If your skin is peeling, inflamed, or uncomfortable, it’s a good idea to see a dermatologist for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.

6. Unhealthy Habits

Your lifestyle can have a bigger impact on your skin than you might think. Not drinking enough water, eating poorly, smoking, lack of sleep, and ongoing stress can all make your skin drier and less able to retain moisture.

How to Treat Dry, Itchy Face

You can relieve dry, itchy skin by following these simple steps:

1. Choose a Gentle, Natural Facial Cleanser

Dry skin is more sensitive to harsh ingredients like SLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulfate), alcohol, and synthetic fragrances. These can strip away natural oils and upset your skin’s pH balance. Look for a cleanser made with gentle, natural ingredients that help keep your skin clean and hydrated without irritation.

2. Use Moisturizer Consistently

Use moisturizer twice a day helps lock in hydration and supports your skin’s protective barrier. Apply it in the morning and before bed, right after washing your face. When your skin is still slightly damp, it absorbs moisture more effectively.

3. Add Natural Facial Oils

Plant-based oils like jojoba, almond, or rosehip help seal in moisture and soothe irritation. For the best results, apply oil on top of your moisturizer using a “moisture sandwich” technique. These oils act as a protective layer to keep your skin hydrated and calm, especially overnight while your skin naturally repairs itself.

4. Use a Humidifier

Dry air from air conditioning or cold weather can pull moisture from your skin, causing dehydration and irritation. A humidifier helps keep the air in your room comfortably moist, which reduces the chance of flakiness or tight, cracked skin.

5. Keep Your Home Clean

Dust, mold, and allergens like dust mites can make dry skin worse and trigger flare-ups, especially if you have sensitive skin or conditions like eczema. Regular cleaning—like changing your bed sheets, vacuuming your room, and cleaning fans or vents—can make a big difference.

6. Rinse Off After Swimming

Chlorine in pool water removes bacteria but can also strip away your skin’s natural oils. After swimming, rinse your skin with clean water, use a mild cleanser if needed, gently pat your skin dry, and apply moisturizer to restore hydration.

7. Stop Smoking

Smoking doesn’t just harm your internal health; it also affects your skin. It reduces elasticity, dries out your skin, and speeds up the aging process. Quitting smoking can lead to healthier, more vibrant skin over time.

8. Maintain Healthy Lifestyle Habits

Your skin often reflects how well you care for your body. Staying healthy supports balanced hormones, a strong immune system, and proper hydration. To care for your skin from the inside out, try to:

Drink at least 8 glasses of water each day
Eat foods rich in antioxidants, vitamin C, vitamin E, and omega-3
Get 7 to 9 hours of quality sleep to support skin repair
Manage stress with relaxation techniques, exercise, or journaling
Stay active to improve blood circulation to the skin

9. See a Dermatologist

If your skin stays dry and itchy even after making these changes, there may be an underlying condition that needs professional attention. A dermatologist can help diagnose the cause and recommend the right treatments or products for your skin’s needs.

Recommended Skincare for Dry Skin from L’Occitane

L’Occitane is a skincare and body care brand from Provence, France, known for using natural ingredients and supporting environmental sustainability. If you're dealing with dry or itchy facial skin, L’Occitane offers a range of products formulated with natural ingredients to help hydrate, soothe, and strengthen the skin’s protective barrier.

Here are L’Occitane’s top recommendations for dry skin:

1. Immortelle Precious Essential Water (200 ml)

This alcohol-free toner is made with 97% natural ingredients and enriched with Immortelle Floral Water, Macro Hyaluronic Acid, and Lentil Extract. It has a lightweight and refreshing texture, perfect for dry skin.

Function: Hydrates, soothes, and preps the skin for the next steps in your routine.

2. Immortelle Precious Emulsion (75 ml)

A lightweight cream emulsion with a milky serum texture that absorbs quickly. It contains Immortelle Essential Oil, Hyaluronic Acid, Super Aqueous Extract, and Lentil Extract to help keep dry skin hydrated.

Function: Provides non-greasy hydration, ideal for use before moisturizer, especially for very dry skin or in tropical climates.

3. Immortelle Precious Cream (50 ml)

A rich-textured cream that absorbs easily and is specially designed to address dry skin concerns. Use it in the morning and at night for best results and long-lasting hydration.

Function: Strengthens the skin barrier, renews the skin, delivers all-day moisture, and improves elasticity and firmness.

4. Immortelle Precious Cleansing Foam (150 ml)

A gentle foaming facial cleanser that lifts away dirt and light makeup without stripping moisture or leaving the skin feeling tight or irritated.

Function: Cleanses makeup and impurities, helps minimize the appearance of pores, and smooths skin texture.

5. Immortelle Cleansing Oil (200 ml)

L’Occitane’s gentle cleansing oil is perfect for double cleansing without irritating the skin.

Function: Effectively removes makeup and sunscreen residue while maintaining the skin’s natural moisture.

6. Immortelle Reset Oil-in-Serum (30 ml)

A lightweight night serum in gel form with antioxidant-rich oil capsules from Immortelle. It gives a soft scent and deep hydration. It also includes Gardenia Extract, Acmella Oleracea Extract, and a sap-like Immortelle extract to support skin recovery.

Function: Hydrates the skin, leaves it looking fresh and well-rested by morning, softens fine lines, and reduces visible redness with regular use.

From the explanation above, we know that dry skin happens when the skin lacks natural oils. This can be caused by dry air, using the wrong skincare products, or an unbalanced lifestyle.

If you’re looking for a solution to dry skin, L’Occitane’s dry skin care routine is worth considering. Our skincare is made with natural ingredients that help moisturize while reinforcing the skin’s protective barrier. Now’s the time to switch to a gentle skincare routine with L’Occitane!