Dry Skin

Home > Beauty and Cosmetics > Dry Skin

Dry skin is quite common and leaves the skin feeling tight, leathery, and flaky. When your skin is dry it also has a greater tendency to become irritated. Fortunately, it is pretty easy to combat dry skin whenever it should strike.

Characteristics of Dry Skin

Dry skin takes on a dull, ashy appearance and has a tendency to flake and get irritated to the point where it becomes red. Scratching dry, itchy skin can aggravate this condition.

Causes of Dry Skin

The root cause of all dry skin is a lack of oils within it, which prevent moisture from leaving. This protective action is especially important in very dry environments because the air in these environments pulls out moisture from the skin much more strongly. Heated houses in the winter usually have very low humidity in the air and are an example of this.

The soaps and detergents that we use to wash ourselves with pull away the dirt from our bodies, but also wash away the oil that keeps skin from drying out. A remedy for this is to switch to glycerin based soaps or to moisturize your skin with lotions or oils to replace that which was lost.

Throughout the day the production of that protective layer of oil depends on the glands within the skin. In order to keep it going there needs to be adequate circulation and nutrients going to the skin.

Learn more about causes of dry skin.

Treatment of Dry Skin

Moisturizing your skin is a good immediate treatment for it. Be sure to use a moisturizer that is alcohol free and non comedogenic, meaning it will not clog your pores and cause acne.

Switching to glycerin soaps is also a good idea, because they are gentler and do not leave your skin completely oil free like other soaps can.

Daily consumption of foods that stimulate blood circulation, such as Indian nuts, witch hazel, and grape seeds, will keep your skin producing a healthy level of protective oils.

Learn about natural home remedies for dry skin.

Because dry skin is the result of moisture leaving it, the best way to treat it is to stop the moisture from escaping. This is done by ensuring that there are adequate oils sealing the moisture within. Usually our body’s natural oils do this job, but all too often they get washed away. Nevertheless, substitutes in the form of creams and lotions can effectively take their place to lock moisture in. There are also many things you can do to keep the protection that your body’s natural oils provide working well:

Use glycerin based soap

Avoid cleaning your skin with alcohol based cleansers

Keep hydrated

Avoid very hot water when showering or bathing

Avoid excessive sun exposure

Improve circulation to your skin through exercise

Some tips for Liquid Soaps, Lotions and Creams

Dry skin should not be washed more than 2 times per day. Select a soap that you feel is gentle, yet is able to cleanse your skin well. Additionally, use a good moisturizer following baths or showers so that it can lock in moisture within your skin before it has a chance to escape. If you must wash your hands several times a day, always moisturize them right after to prevent dryness. Elbows, knees, and feet deserve special attention and extra application. There is a variety of home remedies for dry skin. Experiment and choose one that works best for you.