Causes of Dry Skin

Dry skin is common and can happen to anyone. Once you identify the underlying cause of your dry skin, you'll be able to prevent it from happening.

As the seasons' change and temperatures drop, many people start to experience dry skin. It may seem harmless at first, but dry skin can lead to other problems such as cracked or peeling skin, itchiness and redness. During this time of year, it is important to take care of your skin so it stays smooth and healthy.

Dry skin can be a very common complaint that many people share, especially in the winter. While many people will find that their dry skin has no major cause, some people may have a more serious issue causing the problem. Knowing what may be causing your dry skin is vitally important to find out a solution to your problems.

Dry skin is caused by a lack of water in the skin. This leads to an increase in the skin's dead layer, or stratum corneum because the lack of water creates a barrier that prevents further hydration from entering the skin. The skin will do this in an effort to stay hydrated.

Risk Factors Associated with Dry Skin

Abrasions, accidents and climatic conditions can lead to dry skin. For example, winter air is extremely drying and this can lead to chapping and cracking. When the weather gets hot and humid, the moisture in the skin evaporates, leaving it dry and vulnerable to infections. People with diabetes, eczema and other conditions may suffer from dry skin as well.

Three primary factors that lead to dry skin are weather, damage to the surface of the skin and skin barrier problems.

Trauma to the surface of the skin can strip away much of its lipids leading to dryness. Skin that is repeatedly abraded or damaged can be chronically dry. For example, someone with skin disorders such as psoriasis or eczema have a diseased skin barrier which can lead to a chronic state of dryness.

Dry skin is a skin condition that occurs when the skin lacks sufficient oil or sebum. People with dry skin often suffer from itching and flaking. Dry skin can occur at any age and can be affected by certain medications, genetics or environmental factors such as adverse weather conditions or harsh detergents.

Health conditions that affect the skin due to inflammation or hormonal disruptions include psoriasis, rosacea, atopic dermatitis, ichthyosis and xerosis.

As we age, the natural process of cell regeneration slows which affects the way our skin maintains moisture.

Health conditions and dietary habits that cause malabsorption of nutrients like vitamins A and E are both essential to retaining moisture in the skin.

Remedies for Dry Skin

Lately, the news has been filled with reports about how dry air is making dry skin a bigger epidemic. Although it's more of a problem for those living in colder climates, dry skin can happen to anyone who doesn't apply best moisturizer for dry skin daily. 

Dry skin can be caused by many different things. It is a very common issue and according to some studies has even been linked to depression.

Dry skin can be caused by a number of factors from weather to change in season or even just your everyday normal routine. Here are some remedies for dry skin that will help you get rid of it for good!

Lemon juice is not only great for its powerful scent and as a natural household cleaner, but also for dry skin. You can apply honey and lemon juice mixture directly to dry areas or mix it with some water in a spray bottle and apply it to your skin.

Another remedy is using coconut oil which fills the spaces between you skin cells to create a smooth surface. Coconut oil has saturated fatty acids that hydrate the skin. One can use coconut oil on a daily basis as it is gentle enough on the skin for substantial everyday use.

Topical treatments - These products, including lotions and dry skin creams, are designed to assist with dry skin or as a solution for your overall skin health. As with any other product you buy, it is smart to do a bit of research on a variety of options, especially if you plan on using it long term. 

There are a number of different ingredients that can be found in topical solutions, some of which are more effective than others. Some include ingredients such as vitamin E, aloe vera, cocoa butter and coconut oil, so you'll want to research what will be the best option for your dry skin.

For many people, dry skin is a minor inconvenience. Unless it is particularly cold outside, it can be easily managed with a soothing body lotion for dry skin. However, for some people, dry skin can be a debilitating condition that compromises the quality of their lives. For these people, there are different treatments available.

Take Away

Dry skin is always irritating. Itchy, tight, flaky and unhappy, are a few words that describe what it means to have dry skin. You are not the only one. In fact, most people experience this problem, especially during winter when the air is so dry. If you are one of these people who experience the problem of dry skin, you can follow the aforesaid tips and get relief.