From Spironolactone to Statins: 7 Medications That Experts Say Can Cause Dry Skin

Dry skin is a common issue that can happen for many reasons. Your age, environment, and lifestyle can all play a role. But it’s easy to overlook another common cause of dry skin: your medications.

Here, we’ll discuss seven types of medications known to have drying effects on the skin. We’ll also review what you can do to help manage dry skin when it happens.

1. Retinoids

Retinoids are medications related to vitamin A. They’re used to treat acne and reduce the appearance of age-related skin issues. But they can also lead to dry, peeling skin. 

This happens because retinoids increase the growth of new skin cells. As your body makes new skin cells, you shed the old ones. Retinoids also decrease how much oil your skin makes. These combined effects can make your skin dry and flaky, especially during the first few weeks of treatment.

Common retinoids include: 

• Retinol, a common ingredient in many over-the-counter (OTC) skin care products

• Adapalene (Differin), which is available in OTC and prescription versions

• Tretinoin (Retin-A, Renova)

• Tazarotene (Avage, Tazorac)

• Isotretinoin (Claravis, Amnesteem), an oral retinoid 

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Isotretinoin typically causes more severe dryness than topical products (ones you apply to your skin). But the dryness should resolve once you’ve finished your course of treatment.

Some topical retinoids are more likely to cause dryness than others. Talk to your healthcare team about the best option if dry skin is a concern for you. When you start using a topical retinoid, apply a small amount just one or two times a week. You can increase how often you apply it over time to give your skin a chance to adjust and to minimize dryness. Be sure to apply sunscreen and moisturizer daily as well.

2. Topical acne products

Certain topical acne medications can also cause dry skin and irritation where they’re applied. Common examples include benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid. They’re both available OTC.

Both products come in a variety of formulations. Starting with a low-strength product may help reduce dry skin. Use topical acne products just once a day at first, to help your skin to adjust to the medication. It may also help to choose products that are fragrance- and dye-free or labeled as hypoallergenic. And as with retinoids, be sure to apply sunscreen and moisturizer daily while you’re using them.

3. Diuretics (‘water pills’), such as spironolactone

Diuretics (“water pills”) are medications that treat high blood pressure as well as swelling caused by excess fluid in the body (edema). Common diuretics include:

• Spironolactone (Aldactone)

• Furosemide (Lasix)

• Hydrochlorothiazide

• Chlorthalidone (Thalitone)

Diuretics work by removing fluid from the body through your urine. In some cases, this could make you less hydrated than usual, which can lead to dry skin. The risk of dry skin may be higher if you’re middle-aged or older and taking more than one medication with this side effect. 

If dry skin is bothersome, a daily moisturizer can help. Staying hydrated can also make a difference — just be sure to talk to your healthcare team about the amount of fluids that’s best for you. It can vary based on your medical history. Let your prescriber know if dry skin is severe or causing cracks or sores. They may need to make changes to your medication to help manage it.

4. Statins, such as Crestor and Lipitor

Statins treat high cholesterol levels, but they may also contribute to skin problems. Atorvastatin (Lipitor) and lovastatin in particular have been reported to cause dry skin. There’s also an association between statins and an increased risk of eczema.  

The effect of statins on skin is likely due to their effect on cholesterol. While cholesterol poses health risks when it builds up in your blood vessels, it also helps your skin retain moisture. When statins reduce cholesterol levels, your skin may become dryer than usual.  

As with diuretics, dry skin from statins may be more likely if you’re taking other medications that cause it and you’re middle-aged or older. Keeping your skin moisturized and using gentle cleansers can help manage dry skin. But if it’s severe or bothersome, be sure to let your prescriber know.

5. Some antidepressants

It isn’t common, but some antidepressant medications may also cause dry skin. It’s not clear why this happens, but there are several theories. 

Some antidepressants have anticholinergic effects that can lead to dry eyes, dry mouth, and dry skin. It’s also possible that increased serotonin levels can make your skin feel itchy, which is a common symptom of dry skin. And antidepressants can cause a wide variety of other skin-related symptoms, from serious allergic reactions to acne, that can make your skin feel dry or irritated.

The antidepressants associated with causing dry skin include:

• Citalopram (Celexa)

• Fluvoxamine

• Paroxetine (Paxil)

• Sertraline (Zoloft)

• Clomipramine (Anafranil)

• Nefazodone

• Venlafaxine (Effexor XR)

Dry skin may go away on its own as your body adjusts to your medication. But if it becomes a problem while you’re taking an antidepressant, talk to your healthcare team. Don’t stop taking your medication on your own — this can cause unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Your prescriber can help you switch antidepressants or stop taking them safely if needed.

6. Antihistamines

Antihistamines are helpful for treating seasonal allergies, but they can also have a drying effect on the body. Dry eyes and dry mouth are more common signs of this, but dry skin can happen, too. Antihistamines can also block the production of certain skin oils, which can make your skin drier than usual.

First-generation antihistamines, such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl), are more likely to have drying effects. But dry skin can happen with newer options, such as cetirizine (Zyrtec) and loratadine (Claritin), too. Dry skin may also be more likely if you take antihistamines long term.

7. Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy targets rapidly dividing cells to slow or stop the growth of cancer. Dry skin is a common side effect of chemotherapy medications as well as radiation treatment. In some cases, it can be severe enough to interrupt treatment.

You can help protect your skin during cancer treatment by staying hydrated and using an unscented moisturizer twice a day. You should also wear sunscreen and avoid wind and extreme temperatures whenever possible. If dry skin becomes severe, be sure to let your oncology team know.

Do birth control pills cause dry skin?

Dry skin isn’t a common side effect of birth control pills. But estrogen reduces the amount of oil produced by glands in your skin. This is why combination birth control pills can be used to help treat acne. But less oil can also lead to dry skin for some people.

Dry skin may go away once your body adjusts to taking birth control pills. But if it’s bothersome, talk to your prescriber about a progesterone-only or nonhormonal birth control option. These may be less likely to cause dry skin.

Why trust our experts?

Written by:

Patricia Weiser, PharmD

Patricia has 16 years of pharmacist experience. She previously held positions as a community pharmacist, pharmacy manager, and hospital pharmacist.

Edited by:

Stacia Woodcock, PharmD

Stacia Woodcock, PharmD, is a pharmacy editor for GoodRx. She earned her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Kentucky and is licensed in New York and Massachusetts.

Reviewed by:

Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH

Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH, is a medical editor at GoodRx. She is a licensed, board-certified pediatrician with more than a decade of experience in academic medicine.

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