Kulit Kering: Punca & Cara Rawat

Kulit kering (dry skin) happens when the outer layer of the skin loses moisture and its protective barrier is weakened, leaving skin rough, tight, flaky and sometimes itchy or cracked. Common causes include long hot showers, harsh soaps, air-conditioning, ageing, the menopause and some health conditions such as an underactive thyroid. The main treatment is a fragrance-free moisturiser, ideally a cream or ointment, applied generously and often, especially straight after bathing. Using too many strong skincare actives at once can also dry and irritate the skin. See a doctor if the dryness or itch is severe, keeps coming back or happens during pregnancy.

Apa itu kulit kering?

According to DermNet, dry skin, also called xerosis, is skin that feels dry to touch because the outermost layer (the stratum corneum) is lacking moisture. This happens when the skin barrier is not working as well as it should: there are fewer of the natural fats (lipids) that hold the skin together, and the skin cannot hold on to water as well.

Anyone can get dry skin, men and women of all ages. For some people it is a lifelong tendency, while for others it improves once the cause is dealt with.

Tanda kulit kering: bersisik, kasar & merekah

According to DermNet, dry skin:

• looks dull and feels rough and scaly (kulit kering bersisik);
• feels tight and less supple;
• may crack, and when severe, become red and split;
• tends to affect the shins more than anywhere else.

The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) notes that very dry skin can flake, itch, crack and even bleed.

Punca kulit kering

According to DermNet, common causes and triggers include:

For women: the NHS lists dry and itchy skin among the symptoms of the menopause and perimenopause, and dry skin is also a symptom of an underactive thyroid. If your skin has become much drier along with other changes, such as tiredness, weight gain or irregular periods, mention it to your doctor.

Kulit muka kering

The face is exposed more than any other part of the body, along with the hands, so it often feels dry first. The NHS says it is especially important to moisturise the hands and face regularly. For kulit muka kering, the AAD suggests:

• wash with a gentle, fragrance-free cleanser, using only as much as you need;
• pat your skin dry with a clean towel instead of rubbing;
• apply moisturiser while the skin is still damp, and again whenever it feels dry;
• stop using products that contain alcohol, fragrance or retinoids while your skin is dry;
• protect your skin from the sun with a broad-spectrum sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher (see our guide to kanser kulit for how much to apply and when to reapply).

The AAD notes that “unscented” is not the same as “fragrance-free”: unscented products can contain chemicals that mask other smells, which may irritate dry, sensitive skin. If you buy skincare online, check that it is notified with NPRA; our guide to krim merkuri shows how.

Glass skin trends and your skin barrier

Viral “glass skin” and multi-step routines are popular on social media, but they are not always skin-friendly. In research presented at the EADV Congress 2026 (European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology):

• almost 95% of viral Korean skincare and glass skin TikTok videos contained at least one potentially misleading claim;
• 45% promoted combining many active ingredients without safety advice, and 84% did not account for different skin types;
• in a separate study of 94 people whose skin reacted to products promoted on social media, 63% were using more than three active ingredients at the same time. The products most often involved were exfoliating acids (AHA or BHA), over-the-counter retinoids, vitamin C serums and niacinamide.

The researchers warned that combining several actives can cause irritation, over-exfoliation and skin barrier damage, and stressed that Korean skincare itself is not the problem. If your skin has become dry, tight or stinging since starting a new routine, go back to the basics: a gentle cleanser, a moisturiser and sunscreen, and add active ingredients back slowly, one at a time. If you have a skin condition or are unsure, ask a doctor or dermatologist.

Losyen untuk kulit kering: lotion, cream or ointment?

Moisturisers for dry skin are also called emollients. According to the NHS, they cover the skin with a protective film to trap in moisture, they are very safe, and you cannot overuse them.

The AAD says creams and ointments work better than lotions for dry skin, and suggests looking for fragrance-free products with one or more of these ingredients:

• glycerin or hyaluronic acid;
• dimethicone, mineral oil or petrolatum;
• shea butter, jojoba oil or lanolin;
• lactic acid.

DermNet adds that emollients work best on damp skin and that humectants such as urea help. You may need to try a few products to find one you like; for example, a cream during the day and an ointment at night.

Cara rawat kulit kering di rumah

Based on advice from the AAD, NHS and DermNet:

• Keep showers short, around 5 to 10 minutes, with warm, not hot water.
• Swap soap for a gentle cleanser or an emollient wash; the NHS says everyday soaps and shower gels usually dry out the skin.
• Moisturise straight after bathing, as soon as you have patted your skin dry, and after washing your hands.
• Moisturise often; the NHS suggests ideally at least 3 or 4 times a day.
• Wear gloves for washing dishes and cleaning, and keep a hand cream in your bag.
• Choose loose cotton clothing, as tight or rough fabrics can rub and irritate dry skin.
• If you spend long hours in air-conditioning, moisturise more often.
• Use a lip balm or petroleum jelly for dry lips.

The NHS also warns that emollient-covered clothing and bedding can catch fire easily, so keep away from flames, and that bath and shower floors can become slippery.

Kulit kering dan gatal

According to the NHS, itching is often caused by dry, cracked or irritated skin. To ease it:

• pat or tap the skin instead of scratching, and keep nails short;
• hold something cool, such as a damp towel, on the itchy area;
• have cool or lukewarm showers, and use an unperfumed moisturiser regularly;
• use a laundry detergent for sensitive skin, and avoid perfumed soaps.

DermNet notes that very dry, itchy skin can develop into a form of eczema, and that cracks can let in infection. For other causes of itching, see our guide to gatal kulit. A pharmacist can recommend suitable creams; the AAD advises checking before using anti-itch creams, as some contain ingredients that can irritate very dry skin.

Kulit kepala kering

A dry, flaky, itchy scalp is often confused with dandruff, and the NHS lists dandruff, eczema and psoriasis among the common skin conditions that cause itching. If you have flakes on your scalp, see our guides to kelemumur (dandruff) and psoriasis.

When to see a doctor

Based on NHS and DermNet advice, see a doctor if:

• the dryness or itching is severe, affects your daily life or does not improve with moisturiser;
• the itching is all over your body or keeps coming back;
• you are pregnant and have itchy skin, as the NHS says it can occasionally be caused by a liver condition called intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy;
• the skin is red, cracked, weeping or painful, which may be eczema or an infection;
• you have other symptoms, such as tiredness, weight changes or feeling cold, which could point to a thyroid problem.

A doctor may prescribe a stronger cream, such as a steroid cream for inflamed skin, or arrange blood tests to look for an underlying cause.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

What causes kulit kering?

According to DermNet, dry skin happens when the outer layer of the skin lacks moisture and its barrier is weakened. Common causes include long or hot baths and showers, soap and detergents, air-conditioning, rough clothing and products containing alcohol. Dry skin is also more common with age, after the menopause, with an underactive thyroid, kidney disease, eczema and some medicines.

What is the best losyen untuk kulit kering?

The American Academy of Dermatology says creams and ointments add more moisture and work better than lotions for dry skin. Look for fragrance-free products with ingredients such as glycerin, hyaluronic acid, dimethicone, shea butter, petrolatum or lactic acid. The NHS says lotions are thin and not very moisturising, while ointments are the most moisturising, so many people use a cream by day and an ointment at night.

How do I treat kulit muka kering (dry skin on the face)?

Wash with a gentle, fragrance-free cleanser, pat dry and apply a moisturiser while the skin is still damp. The AAD advises people with dry skin to stop using products that contain alcohol, fragrance or retinoids, and to use sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher. Using several strong active ingredients at once, such as exfoliating acids and retinoids, can irritate the skin and damage its barrier.

Why is my skin dry and itchy (kulit kering dan gatal)?

Itching is often caused by dry, cracked or irritated skin, according to the NHS. Moisturise regularly with an unperfumed emollient, have cool or lukewarm showers, and pat rather than scratch. DermNet notes that very dry, itchy skin can turn into eczema. See a doctor if the itch is severe, all over your body, keeps coming back or happens during pregnancy.

Can drinking water fix dry skin?

DermNet lists drinking plenty of water as one of several steps to help prevent dry skin, but the main treatment is moisturiser applied to the skin. Applying it generously and often, especially straight after bathing, helps to improve the skin barrier and reduce water loss.

Does air-conditioning cause dry skin?

It can contribute. DermNet lists excessive air-conditioning, low humidity and direct heat from a fan heater among the environmental causes of dry skin. If you spend long hours in an air-conditioned office or bedroom, apply moisturiser more often, especially to your hands and face.

Is the glass skin routine bad for dry skin?

Gentle cleansing, hydration and barrier care are sensible, but viral routines can go too far. In a study presented at the EADV Congress 2026, almost 95% of viral Korean skincare and glass skin videos contained at least one misleading claim, and 45% promoted combining many active ingredients without safety advice, which researchers warned may cause irritation, over-exfoliation and skin barrier damage.

Disclaimer

This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for advice, diagnosis or treatment from a doctor, dermatologist or pharmacist. Health supplements are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

References

• Dry skin (xerosis) — DermNet
• Dermatologists’ top tips for relieving dry skin — American Academy of Dermatology
• Emollients — NHS
• Itchy skin — NHS
• Symptoms of menopause and perimenopause — NHS
• Underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) — NHS
• Almost 95% of viral Korean skincare and glass skin TikTok videos contain misleading claims — EADV Congress 2026, via EurekAlert