Skin Health What Is Dead Skin? By Carrie Madormo, RN, MPH Carrie Madormo, RN, MPH LinkedIn Carrie Madormo, RN, MPH, is a freelance health writer with over a decade of experience working as a registered nurse in a variety of clinical settings. Learn about our editorial process Updated on January 21, 2021 Medically reviewed by Casey Gallagher, MD Medically reviewed by Casey Gallagher, MD Casey Gallagher, MD, is board-certified in dermatology. He is a clinical professor at the University of Colorado in Denver, and co-founder and practicing dermatologist at the Boulder Valley Center for Dermatology in Colorado. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Dead Skin Symptoms Causes Diagnosis Treatment Dead skin refers to the dead skin cells that our bodies are always shedding and replacing with new cells. Our bodies shed between 30,000 and 40,000 skin cells per day. Normal cell turnover takes place about every 30 days. This process of desquamation includes new skin cells being produced and sloughing away dead skin cells. Sometimes, however, dead skin cells don’t shed off normally. When this happens, they can build up and appear as dull, flaky skin. Understanding the causes behind this can help you find out how to resolve this issue. What Cell Turnover Is and How It Relates to Acne Development fizkes / Getty Images Dead Skin Symptoms Dead skin cells make up the first 18 to 23 layers of your skin. When these dead skin cells don’t slough off as they should, you can be left with symptoms like dull, dry skin. Other symptoms include: Dry, flaky skinItchingThick, rough skinDull, scaly skinAcne and breakouts Causes During the normal desquamation process, new skin cells are produced deep in the epidermis layer of the skin and then travel up to the surface. These new cells push the dead cells off, causing them to flake off and be replaced with new skin. When this process is slowed down or interrupted, dead skin cells build up on the skin’s surface. ttsz / Getty Images Age As we age, the epidermis layer thins and our skin cell turnover rate slows down. This is more pronounced in women and on the faces and necks. Babies and young children have that youthful glow because their cell turnover rate is so fast. This is because they are growing quickly. The cell turnover rate of a young child is about double that of an older adult’s. In fact, most adults over the age of 65 have at least one skin disorder. Healthy Skin Tips for Every Age Cleaning Routine Regularly cleansing your skin helps to remove dead skin cells that are ready to flake off. If you were to skip washing your face for a few nights in a row, it could cause a buildup of dead skin cells and oil. This could lead to acne breakouts and a dulled complexion. Weather and Sun Exposure Exposure to the sun speeds up skin aging and cell death. Over time this skin damage can result in a buildup of dead skin cells on the surface. Sun damage also leads to premature signs of aging like wrinkles, age spots and loose skin. The Best Sunscreens That Have You Covered Year-Round Dehydration When you are dehydrated, your skin isn’t able to hang on to the moisture it needs. This leads to dry skin that can flake off and leave your skin feeling itchy and irritated. Underlying Skin Conditions Talk with your healthcare provider if your dead skin cell buildup worsens since it could be a symptom of an underlying skin condition. Eczema is an inflammatory skin condition that causes red, itchy rashes over the body. Also known as atopic dermatitis, eczema is more common in children and is believed to be caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Psoriasis is an autoimmune condition that causes thick patches of dead skin cells. You may also notice lesions and redness that are irritating. While psoriasis cannot be cured completely, it can be managed well. Talk with your dermatologist about your symptoms to develop a plan. How Psoriasis Is Treated How to Prevent Dead Skin Cell Buildup We can’t prevent dead skin cells altogether but there are steps we can take to help them slough off regularly: Be safe in the sun: Taking simple actions to protect our skin from the sun can keep it looking fresh and smooth. Wear sunscreen any time you’ll be spending time outdoors and wear a wide-brimmed hat when you canQuit smoking: Smoking speeds up skin aging and cell deathEat a healthy diet: Opt for fruits and vegetables loaded with antioxidants to keep your skin glowing. Refined carbs and sugar tend to dull skin’s complexionCleanse gently: Wash your face regularly to help clear away dead skin cells. Use gentle motions and products to keep from irritating your skin Diagnosis The best way to address your dead skin buildup is to meet with a dermatologist who can evaluate the condition and offer a personalized treatment plan. Before your appointment, take some time to write down any questions you have for the healthcare provider. Your provider will most likely ask you questions about how long you’ve been experiencing a buildup of dead skin cells and what treatments you have tried in the past. Your healthcare provider will examine your skin and most likely be able to make a diagnosis from observation. Before recommending a treatment, your dermatologist will ask for a list of all prescription and over-the-counter products you use on your skin. Some products, like retinoid creams, can make your skin more sensitive and prone to peeling. Attempting to exfoliate after using these products could lead to irritation and breakouts. It may be helpful to write out a list of all of your products prior to your appointment to make sure you don’t forget any. Know Your Skin Type Dead skin cells can make your skin appear dry, but any skin type can experience a buildup of dead skin cells. Knowing your skin type will help you pick the right dead skin cell treatment for you. Most people’s skin type falls into one or more of the following types:Normal skin is clear and evenDry skin may appear dull and flakeyOily skin often appears greasy or shinyCombination has patches of both dry and oily skinSensitive skin usually appears red and irritated after exposure to products What Are Skin Types? Treatment It is possible to safely remove dead skin cells at home; just be sure to choose a gentle exfoliation method based on your skin type. Mechanical Exfoliation Mechanical exfoliation uses a tool like a dry brush or simply a washcloth to scrub away and remove dead skin cells. Mechanical exfoliants can be a great fit for those with very oily or thick skin. After cleansing your skin, gently rub a washcloth or brush over your skin in small circular motions. Apply a lotion or moisturizer when you’re finished. Chemical Exfoliation Chemical exfoliation uses products to dissolve dead skin cells from the skin’s surface. Chemicals such as alpha and beta hydroxy acids help to remove dead skin cells and even out the skin’s pigment. If you have dry or sensitive skin, most mechanical exfoliants will probably be too harsh for you. Opt for a gentle chemical one; your dermatologist will be able to recommend one that works for your skin type. Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) typically come in the form of creams or lotions and often contain glycolic, lactic, or citric acids. AHAs can exfoliate the skin and help to even skin tone and reduce dark spots. They have been known to cause mild irritation and sun sensitivity, so start slow. Try using AHAs every other day as your skin gets used to it. Polyhydroxy acids have the same benefits without the irritation and are a nice option for those with sensitive skin. Beta hydroxy acids, also known as salicylic acid, also remove dead skin cells and improve the appearance of the skin. They are also used to treat acne. These products may be less irritating than AHAs. When applying a chemical exfoliant, use a soft circular motion for about 30 seconds and then rinse it off with warm water. Avoid hot or cold water since it could be irritating to the skin. Exfoliation Tips After exfoliating, it’s important to moisturize to prevent dry skin. Look for a gentle moisturizer to use each time you exfoliate, and don’t forget to apply sunscreen if you’re heading out. After clearing away the dead skin cells, the new skin will be more sensitive to sunlight and could burn easily. When choosing an exfoliation treatment, steer clear of any products that contain large particles like course salts, sugar, beads, or nut shells. They are meant to remove dead skin cells, but these large particles can cause microtears in the skin. These tears lead to dryness, irritation, and possibly even infection. If you suspect that you are currently experiencing a skin infection or an acne breakout, hold off on exfoliation treatments for now. Exfoliation Tips to Help Acne-Prone Skin How to Remove Dead Skin on Feet The skin on your feet is thicker and less sensitive than the skin on your face and neck. That means that you can be slightly more aggressive with dead skin removal without having to worry about irritating your skin. You may want to: Exfoliate the skin on your feet with a high-quality foot scrub or body brush Keep the skin on your feet moisturized with foot cream or coconut oil Soak your feet in warm water and then towel dry Gently massage your foot with a pumice stone (you may have experienced this while receiving a pedicure) Daily Foot Care A Word From Verywell It is normal for our bodies to continuously shed dead skin cells and replace them with new ones. When dead skin cells don’t flake off as they should, you may be left with dry, flaky skin. Gentle exfoliation techniques can help to remove dead skin cells and bring out brighter, healthier-looking skin. Your dermatologist can help you determine the right plan for you based on your skin type and needs. 8 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. American Academy of Dermatology Association. What kids should know about how skin grows. Neill US. Skin care in the aging female: myths and truths. J Clin Invest. 2012 Feb;122(2):473-7. doi: 10.1172/JCI61978 Cleveland Clinic. Ichthyosis vulgaris. Farage MA, Miller KW, Elsner P, Maibach HI. Characteristics of the Aging Skin. Adv Wound Care (New Rochelle). 2013 Feb;2(1):5-10. doi: 10.1089/wound.2011.0356 American Academy of Dermatology Association. Wrinkles and other signs of sun-damaged skin can be treated. American Academy of Dermatology Association. 11 ways to reduce premature skin aging. American Academy of Dermatology Association. How to safely exfoliate at home. Cleveland Clinic. Understanding the Ingredients in Skin Care Products. Additional Reading Rodan K, Fields K, Majewski G, Falla T. Skincare Bootcamp: The Evolving Role of Skincare. Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. 2016 Dec 14;4(12 Suppl Anatomy and Safety in Cosmetic Medicine: Cosmetic Bootcamp):e1152. doi: 10.1097/GOX.0000000000001152. By Carrie Madormo, RN, MPH Carrie Madormo, RN, MPH, is a health writer with over a decade of experience working as a registered nurse. She has practiced in a variety of settings including pediatrics, oncology, chronic pain, and public health. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Medical Expert Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit