Do You Suffer From Dry Skin?

Dry Skin

‘Xerosis’ or Dry skin can be experienced by people of all ages. This is a very common skin complaint, especially when the weather gets colder and we all turn on the heating in our homes.  You can also get dry skin by taking baths with very hot or very cold water. This can also occur if we use a rough towel to dry ourselves with.

Every ones skin needs moisture, and skin can become dry when there isn’t enough moisture in it.  You can also suffer from dry skin when the oil glands in our bodies do not produce the required amount of oil.

These ‘external’ elements tend to remove the oily layer on the skin causing the skin to lose moisture. This is why you will find that using an oil-based moisturizer or cream is more effective than water based ones.

If you have ever suffered from dry skin, you will know that the skin becomes very sensitive and the skin looks and feels very uncomfortable. Sometimes, due to the severity of the dryness, the skin may begin to flake and chap.

One of the main contributing factors has to be the diet.  By taking Vitamins A and B you can help your skin to produce the natural oils that it needs, thus avoiding dry skin. You would also be advised not to use makeup and let your skin breathe.

Some dry skin conditions can be inherited. If this is so, then it is imperative that you take good care of your skin, keeping it moisturised at all times. Also ensure that the skin condition does not worsen due to external conditions such as the weather.

• Having under-active thyroid glands can result in dry skin.
• A person suffering from Diabetes loses excessive amount of fluids from the body which can lead to dry skin complications.
• Severe skin ailments such as Dermatitis, psoriasis, and eczema are all types of dry skin.
• Excessive smoking, which leads to dehydration of the skin, can result in dry skin.

Some Important Factors

These are just some of the factors that can cause dry skin complaints.

Dry skin can be inherited.  You have to take care of your skin with creams and lotions and try to keep it moisturised.

Dry skin resulting from old age. As we get older, our bodies do not produce enough amounts of oils and fluids that are required. This results in the oily layer on the skin becoming dry and often scaly.

Dry skin can result from extreme climate conditions and an improper diet.  Most importantly your daily water intake is proportional to the fluid being retained in the body. Both of these factors often lead to loss of Vitamins from the body.

A deficiency of Vitamins A and B can make the skin look dry. Eating leafy vegetables, fish, and other foods rich in these vitamins can help.  Juices from citrus fruits can also help in this process.

Dry skin can look dull, due to lack of Vitamin E in the skin. You can remedy this by using creams and lotions rich in Vitamin E.

Both Olive oil and Almond oil are very rich in Vitamin E. By regularly massaging with these oils you can help to reduce and/or treat dry skin. Applying Olive oil on wet skin right after bath and blotting the excess away with a tissue helps to ‘lock-in’ moisture, giving you a softer and smoother skin.