Itchy skin isn’t just annoying; it’s often a sign that something deeper is off. From a dry scalp to cracked lips or flaky shins, the underlying causes can include everything from stress and hard water to barrier damage and product overload.
And with 42 per cent of Londoners saying they suffer from dry skin regularly, it’s clear that this is a widespread concern. So with countless balms, creams and treatments promising instant comfort, how do you know what actually works?
We asked top experts in skin and scalp health to decode the real reasons behind the itch, and how to choose products that bring lasting calm.
Why is your scalp itching?
According to hair expert Edward James, the scalp is often one of the first areas to show signs of imbalance. “There are a few culprits,” he says. “Often, it’s just that the scalp’s dry, caused by cold weather, central heating and even too much sun, which can strip out its natural oils. Overwashing or using harsh shampoos can make it worse by upsetting the scalp’s natural balance, and don’t underestimate how irritating the UK’s hard water can be.”
Product build-up is another common cause. “Styling products, dry shampoos and even natural oils can clog the scalp and lead to flaking or itching. If your skin is sensitive or you’re prone to eczema or psoriasis, the scalp can really react; and stress, diet and allergies can all contribute.”
His advice? Keep it simple. “Wash your hair less often; two to three times a week is ideal. Also, opt for sulphate-free shampoos that won’t strip the scalp. Avoid boiling hot showers and exfoliate gently once a week to remove build-up. Aveda’s Scalp Solutions Refreshing Mist is a brilliant daily go-to for hydration and calm.”
Itchy skin on the face and body
When itchiness strikes on the face or limbs, it’s often the result of a compromised skin barrier. “It’s usually a sign the skin isn’t functioning properly,” explains Dr Nina Bal, a London-based aesthetic doctor. “Stress, pollution, harsh products, even the wrong skincare routine, can lead to inflammation and that uncomfortable, itchy feeling.”
Rather than layering on actives, she advises a back-to-basics approach. “I see many patients with reactive, itchy skin, and the first thing I look at is their barrier function. The goal is to gently calm and nourish while restoring hydration. I often prescribe the AlumierMD Calming Collection; it contains ingredients like niacinamide and hyaluronic acid that soothe inflammation and rebuild strength.”
In-clinic, she uses Dermalux Tri-Wave MD Phototherapy to help manage flare-ups of eczema and psoriasis. “It calms the skin from the inside out. Even after one session, patients feel relief, and over time, it helps improve resilience.”
Why lip balm isn’t always enough
When lips are chronically itchy, peeling or dry, hydration, not just balm, is often the missing piece. Dr Paris Acharya, known for her signature Trout Pout procedure, understands lip health inside and out. While most of us blame the weather, she says constant irritation can stem from dehydration, allergies, product sensitivity, or even how often you lick your lips. “Lips don’t have oil glands like the rest of your skin,” she explains. “They rely entirely on outside hydration, and ingredients like menthol, fragrance, or alcohol can actually make dryness worse.”
Instead, she suggests switching to barrier-restoring ingredients like ceramides, squalane and shea butter; plus multi-weight hyaluronic acid to deliver deep hydration without tackiness. “A good balm should feel like a seal, not just a gloss,” she adds. For persistent flakiness, her Nano Droplet Lip Hydration treatment offers a non-filler solution to soften and strengthen lips over time.
Read on for more.
Itch relief for the skin
Evolve Pro+ Ectoin Soothing Cream
This is my go-to moisturiser for calming stressed, reactive skin - especially when I’ve overdone it with retinol or actives. It acts like a reset button, relieving redness, tightness and flaking caused by over-exfoliation.
Ectoin and camellia oil work together to deeply hydrate and repair the skin barrier, while chaga mushroom helps boost resilience and reduce sensitivity over time. It’s lightweight, non-greasy and completely fragrance-free, making it ideal for post-retinol recovery.
Buy now £19.00, Amazon
E45 Cream 350g
One of the hardest-working moisturisers around, everyone has a tub of E45 cream knocking around. It’s ideal for treating sunburn and nourishing dry skin conditions like eczema, dermatitis, ichthyosis and some cases of psoriasis.
It can also pour milk on the burning flames of your sweat or heat rash with hero ingredient lanolin soothing, without stopping sweat ducts from blocking up.
Buy now £7.85, Amazon
HC45 Hydrocortisone Cream
A catch-all treatment for eczema, dermatitis and insect bites, hydrocortisone cream provides near-instant relief for itching, irritation and swelling. Clinically proven and dermatologically tested, hydrocortisone simply works by forcing your body to alter its response to inflammation.
Buy now £6.55, Boots
Savlon Bites & Stings Pain Relief Gel - 20g
From the makers of Savlon comes this multi-action formula which has been created to soothe insect bites and string while protecting against potential infection. The active ingredient in this ointment is Lidocaine Hydrochloride 2.0%, a form of anaesthetic which provides a numbing effect to help relieve pain. We’re also big fans of the fact that this gel has a cooling effect on the skin.
Buy now £5.50, Amazon
Daktacort Hydrocortisone Cream - 15g
When you’ve already developed a sweat rash, what’s needed is a solution rather than a preventive.
Hydrocortisone cream is great at calming itching and angry sore spots for short bursts (long-term use can cause side effects such as further irritation, dryness and burning).
Dab a little on the cleansed affected area and wear loose clothing to help air flow.
Do ensure you’re using a cream rather than an ointment, as this can block oil glands and make a bad situation worse. Not suitable for kids under 10.
Buy now £8.90, Boots
Lyonsleaf Calendula & Marshmallow Balm 30ml
A balm to soothe dry, sore, irritated skin, this balm is suitable for use from head to toe, not just for chafing – although it offers a great solution for that too.
It’s ideal for anyone with sensitive skin as the all-natural plant oils it’s made with means it’s gentle enough to use on delicate areas while also working hard to heal your skin. The fact it’s water-free means the oils will go the distance in lubricating chafing.
It’s also helpful for a range of other skin ailments, such as helping heal fresh tattoos, soothing sore nipples when nursing and softening heels, elbows, and dry hands and feet. A bathroom cabinet hero, by all accounts.
Buy now £11.99, Amazon
Sudocrem Antiseptic Healing Cream
Best for: Treating sore skin
With a formula that has remained unchanged since 1931, this baby barrier cream is frequently recommended by doctors and midwives for the treatment of nappy rash and skin irritations. Gentle enough to use from birth, the water-repellent base stayed put for hours and stopped irritants from coming into contact with our baby’ skin.
The cream is enriched with anti-inflammatory zinc oxide to speed up healing, anhydrous hypoallergenic lanolin to soothe and soften along with a gentle local anaesthetic to ease pain.
The formula is thicker than others we tested, and required more effort to rub in. It also took longer to wipe off. You can use it to treat other skin conditions like sunburn, rashes and grazes, so it’s a versatile cream to have around.
Buy now £3.75, Amazon
BIRKENSTOCK Care Essentials
BIRKENSTOCK has spent the last few years not-so quietly dominating the summer footwear market. Its bestsellers are ubiquitous in the streets of the capital as the “ugly” shoe revolution shows no signs of wavering. Comfort has always been on the forefront of the BIRKENSTOCK mission, whether you’re wearing the Bostons or Arizonas. But it is taking this one step further with its expansion – a surprising move away from the shoe industry.
The BIRKENSTOCK Care Essentials comes as a result of its 250 years of orthopaedic expertise. It is made up of six footcare products to offer TLC to tired tootsies and includes creams, scrubs and balms to solve common concerns with entirely natural origin, certified vegan ingredients that are all about results.
Beautifully scented with the like of cedarwood, blood orange, and eucalyptus, the offering extends to The Relaxing Bath Salts to revitalise the skin, the tingling peppermint Exfoliating Foot Scrub, the murumuru butter-enriched Nourishing Foot Balm, the fatigue-fighting The Relief Lotion for Tired Leg & Foot, the jojoba-infused The Comforting Dry Oil and a pumice stone to round off the sextet.
Buy now £10.00, BIRKENSTOCK
Murad Quick Relief Moisture Treatment
Though on the pricier end of the spectrum, Murad’s Quick Relief Moisture Treatment is worth the investment for those who suffer from itchiness, redness, rashes and general skin discomfort. It’s another quick-acting formulation which makes use of colloidal oatmeal and additional oat lipids. Formulated without parabens, sulphates, phthalates, gluten or animal-derived ingredients, it’s an immediate add-to-shelf.
Buy now £36.80, Amazon
Hope's Relief Intensive Dry Skin Rescue Cream
A lesser-known Australian naturopathic ointment beloved by the eczema community, Hope’s Relief Intensive cream is made from solely natural ingredients including hospital-grade organic manuka honey UMF 10+, gotu kola, aloe vera, organic calendula and liquorice root, to soothe itchy, dry skin prone to eczema, psoriasis and dermatitis. It’s suitable even for newborns.
Buy now £18.49, Big Green Smile
O'Keeffe's Working Hands Eczema Relief Hand Cream
A fan-favourite, wallet-saving ointment formulated (as the name suggests) for working hands, O’Keeffe’s beloved cream helps to soothe painful hand eczema resulting from environmental triggers. It’s completely steroid-free and helps to provide up to 48 hours of itch-free relief. Though it’s dermatologically tested, we’d avoid it if you have particularly reactive skin due to the fact that it’s made with chemical ingredients rather than natural ones.
Buy now £7.49, Amazon
Itch relief for the scalp
Philip Kingsley Flaky/Itchy Scalp Anti-Dandruff Shampoo 250ml
Philip Kingsley’s history dates back to 1960 when the eponymous founder opened his first consulting rooms on Dorset Street in London. Over 65 years later, the science-backed haircare brand is run by his daughter, Anabel, who continues her father’s legacy through both the formulations and the London-based clinic.
Formulated with anti-microbial piroctone olamine which helps relieve flaking and itching, and lauryl betaine to cleanse without irritation, your scalp will feel both soothed and cleared after using this shampoo for as little as four days.
Buy now £30.00, lookfantastic
Moroccanoil Dry Scalp Treatment
The Moroccanoil treatment is a cult product that has been used by professional hair stylists for many years, not only to improve the condition of the hair but of the scalp too. It does this with the brand’s signature ingredient - argan oil - that is rich in antioxidants, vitamins and fatty acids.
Apply directly to the area and it will soothe and calm, while giving dryness a much needed moisture hit. It actually has a slight exfoliation action, which may sound counterproductive but it does so in a gentle way to remove flakes and benefit the hair follicle for that oh-so welcomed lustre and shine.
Just three to six drops - depending on the length of your hair - is enough. Leave for up to 10 minutes and rinse, followed by shampoo. Itchiness begone!
Buy now £29.50, Amazon
AMELIORATE Transforming Scalp Serum
This brand is already one of our go-tos when we’re experiencing dryness - the Transforming Body Lotion is the definition of a holy grail product - so it comes as no surprise that the scalp serum works the same magic.
It has an intensely moisturising makeup that will come as a source of comfort when you just can’t seem to shake the itchy scalp feeling. At the same time, gentle AHA lactic acid is exfoliating without causing further irritation to soften and balance. Fragrance free.
Buy now £20.00, lookfantastic
E45 Dry Scalp Shampoo for dry itchy scalp and dandruff
This is another product that goes hand in hand with a saviour body cream and much like some of its competitors, E45 is a household name for devoting itself to combating dryness wherever it occurs. The moisurising ingredients clean and cleanse the scalp to remove what may be causing the irritation and is kind to the strands at the same time, allowing them to thrive with body and shine.
Buy now £7.49, Boots
Triggers and managing eczema
While winter gets most of the blame, warmer weather can be surprisingly harsh on dry or sensitive skin. According to Ali Hedley, clinical engagement manager at Epaderm, seasonal triggers such as fluctuating temperatures, pollen and longer exposure to sunlight can all make eczema and dry skin flare. “Warmer weather is a tricky time for those with dry or sensitive skin,” she says. “The combination of allergens, changing temperatures, and increased sun exposure might make it harder to maintain balanced moisture levels.”
For long-term skin comfort, Hedley recommends fragrance-free emollients that hydrate and support the barrier. “Apply them generously after bathing to lock in moisture. Products like Epaderm Cream and Ointment are great for both daily hydration and managing flare-ups, especially when used regularly — even when the skin seems to have improved.”
Whether it’s your scalp, lips or legs that are crying out for help, experts agree: simplifying your routine, using the right ingredients and treating your barrier gently is the fastest way to stop the itch — and keep it gone.
