Don't Panic: 10 Solutions for the Most Common Skin Emergencies

Super dry skin is flaking, irritated skin, so the solution is, well, moisture. “Most people don’t moisturize; it’s really surprising,” Levin says. “But that will help with dry skin. Some moisturizers, in addition to having moisturizing ingredients like glycerin and ceramides, contain ingredients called keratalytics, which break up dead skin cells.” Crazy itching, flaking and cracking can be solved with moisturizers with these keralytic ingredients, like urea, ammonium lactate, salicylic acid.

For the body, lotions like AmLactin Moisturizing Body Lotion, $21.41, can really help, but the face is a different story. “Avoid using ammonium lactate for the face,” she cautions. Levin recommends moisturizing creams from brands like CeraVe, LaRoche and Eau Thermale Avene Antirougeurs Day Redness Relief Soothing Cream SPF 25, $37, all of which have excellent solutions for super dry skin.