Skin Health More Skin Conditions What Is Ashy Skin? By Yvelette Stines linkedin Yvelette Stines, MS, MEd, is an author, writer, and communications specialist specializing in health and wellness. Learn about our editorial process Yvelette Stines Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Casey Gallagher, MD on December 16, 2020 Casey Gallagher, MD, is board-certified in dermatology and works as a practicing dermatologist and clinical professor. Learn about our Medical Review Board Casey Gallagher, MD on December 16, 2020 Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Symptoms Causes Diagnosis Treatments Ashy skin is a type of dry skin that is whitish or grey, so it looks like ashes. It has many causes and can range from mild to severe. Excessively dry skin is called xerosis. Most people will experience ashy skin at some point in their lives. In general, this is due to factors such as the environment, weather, and dry or cool air indoors. Consistently going from heat to highly air-conditioned indoor spaces will also reduce the natural water or moisture from the skin. Other factors include lifestyle habits, illnesses, medications, and more. Catherine Falls Commercial/Getty Images Symptoms There are general symptoms of ashy or dry skin and there are symptoms that will need attention from a healthcare professional. Common Symptoms of Ashy Skin Dehydrated skin Rough texture Itchiness Flakes Cracks in the skin Peeling Redness Painful or burning feeling Symptoms Specific to Skin Conditions Inflamed discolored skin Rash Scaly patches of skin Crusting on the skin Although ashy skin can be a common factor for many, there comes a time when it is necessary to contact your healthcare provider for help. Some reasons to call your doctor include: Itchy skin without a visible rash Open cuts or sores appear due to scratching Over-the-counter products and self-help tips for dryness and itching do not relieve the symptoms Interference with daily tasks It is also important to consider the skin tone. Individuals with darker skin tone have more pronounced ashy skin. This doesn’t necessarily mean it is medical condition, it is primarily due to the melanin. Researchers conducted a study and found that there is stronger cohesion of the stratum corneum, or the outer layer of the skin, that is a barrier between the environment and the body. They found that this outer layer has a faster recovery from barrier damage. They also found that the outer layer of darkly pigmented skin has a higher water loss, which can also lead to ashy skin. Common Body Parts That Are Dry or Ashy Common ashy body parts include: Knees, feet, elbows, hands, and some areas of the face. Causes Environment Depending on where you live, environment can be a big factor behind ashy skin. Living in extreme cold and dry temperatures can cause dryness. Lifestyle Maintaining a healthy diet and drinking enough water will help your skin stay healthy and hydrated. Using certain detergents, soaps, or bathing too long can also cause dry and ashy skin. Smoking is also another cause of ashy skin. Other factors include illnesses such as diabetes, kidney disease, thyroid disease, and cancer, just to name a few. Certain medications that are taken by cancer patients and individuals who receive dialysis are also prone to dry and ashy skin. If an individual is deficient in certain vitamins like vitamin D, iron, niacin, zinc, or vitamin A, this can also cause ashy skin. Age As people age, the sebum naturally declines. This starts at about 40 years old and continues as age progresses. Sebum is the body’s natural ability to moisturize skin. As the aging process continues, the skin will naturally become thinner. Why Are Middle Age and Older Adults Prone to Ashy Skin? Aging makes skin more susceptible to dryness. Dry skin in older adults can be simply a sign of age-related skin changes or signify underlying medical problems. Because dry skin can lead to other skin complications, it’s important to monitor carefully. Diagnosis Dry and ashy skin is pretty visible. If you are at the point where moisturizers are not working and the symptoms are getting worse, it is time to call the doctor. When you visit your doctor to determine if your ashy skin needs additional attention, they look at a few factors. The dermatologists will look at your skin and create a treatment plan that is specified for you. They will ask questions including: How long have you had excessively dry skin? What have you tried to reduce the dry skin? What are some things that make your dry skin worse? Do you or any family members have food allergies, hay fever, asthma, atopic dermatitis, or other skin conditions? Treatments Home Care There are many at-home treatments that you can try for ashy skin, including: A humidifier Moisturizers and ointments Warm baths, not hot A healthy diet Hydration Prescription Medications and Topical Treatments If you’ve tried at-home treatments and don't notice any improvement, call your doctor. Working along with your doctor, the goal is to heal your skin and create a preventative plan to keep the dry skin under control. Again, there are different needs for each patient, so you will have a specific plan geared towards your needs. Some prescription medications or topical treatments include a moisturizer with ingredients like glycerol, lactic acid, and urea, which aid in reducing dry skin. Working with your doctor, you can learn more about what you can do to protect your skin. A Word From Verywell It is always important to protect your skin. It is the largest organ on your body. As dry or ashy skin is normal during season change, habit change, or health changes, if it persists, don’t hesitate to contact your healthcare professional. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article 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. Weber TM, Kausch M, Rippke F, Schoelermann AM, Filbry AW. Treatment of xerosis with a topical formulation containing glyceryl glucoside, natural moisturizing factors, and ceramide. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2012;5(8):29-39. Feng L, Hawkins S. Reduction of "ashiness" in skin of color with a lipid-rich moisturizing body wash. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2011;4(3):41-44. American Academy of Dermatology Association. Dry skin: Overview.