Dry Skin

Why is my skin so dry?

Dry skin is common and can occur anywhere on the body (legs, arms and other areas), to any type of skin, and any time of year, although many people experience increased dryness during the winter months when the air tends to be colder and drier. Dry skin can feel tight, especially on the face, and may look red or rough. Very dry skin can itch, flake or peel, turn grey or ashy, and form lines or cracks.

Dermatologists often call dry skin "xerosis." There are many causes of dry skin. It can occur based on environmental or lifestyle conditions like cold weather or chlorinated pools, or personal factors such as your health and age. Dry skin can also be caused by certain medical conditions like diabetes or kidney disease. Fortunately, dry skin can be soothed with easy lifestyle changes and topical skin care products.

Simple solutions

By keeping an eye on how your skin receives moisture, some easy lifestyle routines can help remedy dry skin year-round:

1. Reduce bathing time. Limit showers and baths to 10 minutes daily, close the bathroom door to lock in steam, use warm (not hot) water, and blot dry.
2. Use gentle soaps. Wash your face and body with gentle cleansers that are fragrance- and preservative-free and won't strip skin of its natural oils (such as many baby soaps).
3. Moisturize regularly. Moisturizers trap existing moisture in the skin. Try to apply ointments or creams right after bathing.
4. Check ingredients. Ointments and creams (not lotions) work best to trap in moisture, and contain oils like jojoba, olive and mineral oils. More hydrating ingredients include shea butter, hyaluronic acid, glycerin, lanolin and petrolatum. If you have very dry skin, your health care provider may recommend a moisturizer that contains urea or lactic acid.
5. Combat dry air. Dry air can cause moisture to evaporate from the skin. Use a humidifier, especially in the winter months when indoor humidity levels drop, to help keep skin hydrated.

Scaly, flaky skin

Normally, your body sheds about 30,000 to 40,000 skin cells each day and replaces them with new ones. This outer layer of skin contains both dead skin and natural oils, helping it hold onto water and keeping germs out. When this layer gets damaged or when moisture is lacking, the skin shrinks, becoming scaly or flaky.

When dry skin appears bothersome, topical, over-the-counter (OTC) treatments can provide instant relief and help restore skin.

Moisturizers

Moisturizers can be classified into three main categories: ointments, creams and lotions.

1. Ointments are best for trapping moisture into the skin with their greasy consistency (such as Aquaphor and Vaseline). Ointments that are high in oil content can be helpful for very dry skin and can also act as overnight treatments to hands and feet when paired with gloves and socks.
2. Creams often contain less oil than ointments. They typically go on white, then soak into the skin with a less greasy feel when applied (such as Eucerin and Cetaphil creams).
3. Lotions have a higher water content and can be easily applied to large areas of the body. They evaporate faster on the skin and may not be as effective for treating dry skin.

Facial products

Many products are available to specifically help with dry facial skin, which occurs naturally in some people and can increase as our skin thins with age. In addition to steering clear of irritants like alcohol and fragrance, look for ingredients that that help your skin hold on to moisture. Products that contain humectants, such as hyaluronic acid and glycerin, draw water into the outer layer of skin. Another option are products with ceramides. These fat molecules help the skin retain moisture by improving the barrier function of the skin. Additionally, natural ingredients like plant oils, aloe vera, shea butter, soy, and colloidal oatmeal may help dry skin.

Dry skin should be easy to treat throughout the year at home. Should your dry skin become painful or infected, see your health care provider. Sometimes, dry skin can be a sign of a more serious skin condition. Tell your provider if you develop other symptoms such as red or white dry patches on your skin or have a rash that won't go away. They can determine the cause of your skin problems and recommend the appropriate treatment.

Published on June 30, 2019

Sources:

"Winter Dry Skin," University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. Web. November 2018. https://uihc.org/health-topics/winter-dry-skin

"Dermatologists' top tips for relieving dry skin," American Academy of Dermatology Association. Web. https://www.aad.org/public/skin-hair-nails/skin-care/dry-skin

"Itching from Dry Skin," WebMD, Web. https://www.webmd.com/beauty/itching-from-dry-skin#1
https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/skin-care-and-aging
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamadermatology/fullarticle/2652353