Dry body skin, what to do? Dry body skin: causes and treatment. Dry skin: causes, treatment Dries the skin very much

Lyubov Ivanova

Reading time: 7 minutes

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Greetings, dear fashionistas and beauties! In this article I will tell you what to do if the skin on your face is dry and flaky. Let's consider the causes, effective methods of treatment with folk remedies and prevention of the problem.

The skin of the face is the most unprotected place on the human body. Every day, in any weather, the face is always open. Naturally, in such conditions the skin is constantly exposed to insufficient humidity, frost, cold, wind and sun.

The skin of the face suffers the most in cold weather. Under the influence of low temperatures, the top layer of the skin becomes very thin and dry. This very unpleasant problem that all women face accelerates the aging process.

The main cause of dryness and flaking is a lack of sebum and moisture. Most often, this is caused by drinking insufficient amounts of water in combination with drinking coffee and eating sweet foods. In addition to poor nutrition, the problem is caused by a deficiency of vitamins and inappropriate cosmetics, which negatively affect the condition of the skin and cause an allergic reaction.

Now we will talk about ways that will help normalize the condition of the skin and restore a healthy appearance. Believe me, there is nothing complicated, the main thing is desire.

The fight against dryness and flaking should begin by identifying the root cause and eliminating it. In particular, track the amount of liquid consumed, give up sweets and coffee, and include fruits, nuts and vegetables rich in fiber and vitamins in your diet.

Ideally, get examined by a dermatologist. If this is not possible, and the cause of dryness and flaking remains unknown, listen to the following recommendations, which include the use of folk remedies.

You can make a cream, cleanser, toner, lotion or mask at home without much difficulty. To do this you will need vegetable oil, natural yogurt, sour cream and cream.

  • To prepare the milk, mix 50 ml of cream with the same amount of milk and two tablespoons of chamomile flowers. Boil the mixture in a water bath for about half an hour. The tonic is made even simpler - mix the juice of one cucumber with a spoonful of honey.
  • To make the cream, combine two parts coconut oil with one part honey and the same amount of lemon juice. It is recommended to store the product in the refrigerator in a closed container for no more than two weeks.
  • There are many masks for flaky and dry facial skin. I will discuss recipes for making effective masks below.

Video tips

Now you have an idea what to do if the skin on your face is dry and flaky. The products, the preparation techniques of which I have described, are very simple, but effective. If a problem arises, do not run out and buy an expensive cream. To get started, use the recipes listed below to save money and protect your body from the effects of chemicals that are often found in cosmetics, especially uncertified or counterfeit ones.

Causes of dry skin on the face

There are many factors that contribute to dehydration and a deficiency of fat produced by the sebaceous glands. If the factors are hereditary, the solution to the problem comes down to regular and proper facial care. If dryness and flaking are caused by other circumstances that can be changed or eliminated, you need to put a little effort into tidying up your facial skin.

The problem of dryness and flaking can appear suddenly and for various reasons. Among them:

  1. Avitaminosis.
  2. Heredity.
  3. Prolonged exposure to frost or sun.
  4. A set of age-related changes.
  5. Nervous system disorders and digestive system diseases.
  6. Disturbed functioning of the sebaceous glands.
  7. Wrong choice and further use of cosmetics.
  8. Incorrect care.

As you can see, the problem appears both due to the fault of a person and regardless of his actions. If dryness and flaking are caused by a factor that can be influenced, it will be possible to restore and stabilize the balance of fat and water inside the cells quite quickly. At the same time as eliminating the cause, provide your facial skin with thorough, competent and situation-appropriate care.

The urgency of the problem increases in cold weather. Winter is an extremely difficult time for the body. Not only does cold air outside negatively affect the condition of the skin, but dry indoor air also enhances the effect.

The skin constantly takes care of itself. The sebaceous glands actively produce lubricant, which protects against environmental influences, keeping it beautiful, elastic and normally hydrated. In some cases, the skin's own protective properties are not enough. Therefore, she has to help using night creams, lotions and other means.

Treating dry skin on the face at home

Continuing the topic of conversation, let's look at treating dry skin on the face at home using serums, gels and creams. Cosmetics containing hyaluronic acid are also quite suitable for this purpose.

Dry skin is greatly benefited by products containing fatty acids, phospholipids and ceramides. We are talking about affordable and simple preparations that help normalize not only the skin of the face, but also the skin of the entire body.

5 effective folk recipes

  1. Milk compress . Soak a paper towel in milk and apply to the problem area for 5 minutes. If you don’t have milk on hand, kefir or whey will do.
  2. Aloe juice. Aloe juice will eliminate dry skin. Cut the thoroughly washed leaf lengthwise and carefully remove the pulp. Using a cotton pad soaked in the medicinal mixture, gently wipe the skin. This will remove dead cells.
  3. Beeswax . A wonderful remedy for flaking and dry skin. Melt a spoonful of wax and a couple of spoons of lanolin in a water bath, add a spoonful of aloe juice and a spoonful of olive oil to the resulting liquid, wipe the dry areas of skin on the face with the product.
  4. Oils except sunflower . Wipe your face with linseed, rapeseed, rose, peach or apricot oil. Simple remedies will take care of skin health.
  5. Epsom salt . If you want to restore elasticity to your skin, take a warm bath with two glasses of Epsom salts. After the water procedure, you should not dry yourself.

Proper nutrition

Now some recommendations regarding nutrition. If your facial skin is dry and flaky, replenish the deficiency of linoleic acid, which is found in sesame, olive, soybean and flaxseed oil. Add it to salads. Include walnuts and fatty fish in your diet.

The diet of a person with dry skin should include vitamins A, B and C, selenium and zinc. Regularly eat meat, cabbage, fish, buckwheat, green onions, tomatoes and carrots, nuts, pumpkin seeds and cheese.

For dry skin on your face, drink water, juices and herbal teas. Eliminate beer, coffee and soda from your drinking diet. It is recommended to drink 1500 ml of water per day. Start your morning with a glass of clean water. This simple technique will start metabolic processes and replenish the balance of fluid that was consumed overnight.

To summarize, I will highlight 4 main tips for combating dry skin on the face.

  • Drink one and a half liters of water daily.
  • Use flaxseed oil for food.
  • Pay special attention to plant and raw foods. We are not talking about a raw food diet. Such products should account for about 40% of the diet.
  • Take care of your skin using the right products.

Video instructions

If dry skin does not disappear after several weeks of intensive therapy using the listed remedies, go to an endocrinologist. Perhaps the cause of the problem was a deficiency of thyroid hormones.

Masks for moisturizing the skin at home

The problem associated with dry skin indicates a decrease in the activity of the glands. Consequently, the fat they produce is not enough to form an optimal protective layer. Therefore, it is recommended to use masks based on a large number of moisturizing components.

Before the mask, be sure to cleanse your face with a steam compress, tonic or gel. The main thing is to apply the mask to clean skin.

11 proven mask recipes

  1. Oils. Lightly heat the vegetable oil, soak a cotton swab in it and apply to an area of ​​dry skin for a third of an hour. Remove the remaining mask with wet cotton wool. At the end of the procedure, pat your face dry with a cold, damp towel.
  2. Apricot. Soak a clean napkin in apricot juice and place it on your face. Before this, wipe the skin with lotion or sour cream. To remove a homemade mask, use a regular cotton ball. I recommend carrying out the procedure three times a week. If you have acne on your face, do not use the mask.
  3. Cornflowers. Pour a spoonful of cornflowers with a small volume of water and boil a little. After cooling, add a little lemon juice and rye flour to the broth. A third of an hour after application, rinse off the product with warm water.
  4. Raspberries. Squeeze juice from one hundred grams of berries and strain thoroughly. Combine raspberry juice with two tablespoons of milk, soak gauze in the liquid and apply to your face.
  5. Watermelon. Soak a small piece of gauze in watermelon juice and apply it to your face. After 20 minutes, carefully remove the fabric, wash your face and treat it with nourishing cream.
  6. Zucchini. Place the grated zucchini on gauze, which is applied to the problem point. This mask helps cleanse and moisturize the skin, has an excellent tonic effect and eliminates age spots.
  7. Banana. Mash a ripe banana and mix with a spoonful of milk. Cover your face with the resulting mixture. To remove the mask, use a cotton pad soaked in heated water.
  8. St. John's wort. Combine a spoonful of water with the same volume of olive oil, ten drops of vitamin E and half a spoonful of St. John's wort. After mixing thoroughly, apply the mixture to the surface of dry skin and rinse after 15 minutes.
  9. Grapefruit. Beat a spoonful of vegetable oil with a spoonful of grapefruit juice, mix it with a spoonful of sour cream and gently apply it to your face. A homemade mask is ideal for high-quality care for flaky skin that needs hydration.
  10. Birch leaves . Steam a spoonful of raw materials with boiling water and leave for about two hours. Mix the infusion with a spoon of melted butter or regular skin cream. Apply to the skin with cotton wool.
  11. Grape. Soak a piece of clean gauze in grape juice and apply to your face. With this simple mask you will make your facial skin velvety, fresh and elastic.

Video recipes

If you have dry facial skin, masks at home will solve the problem. I think you have already seen that the listed mask options are as simple as possible to make, but provide an effect that cannot be overestimated, especially if you combine them with cosmetic ice.

How to care for dry and flaky skin

The final part of the story is devoted to the rules for caring for flaky and dry skin. Sometimes a beauty is forced to come to her senses by a face covered with a flaky crust or “crow’s feet” appearing under her eyes. It is not right. If you have dry facial skin, try to understand that constant care is the only guarantee of success.

  1. Wash your face only in the evenings. By doing the procedure in the morning, you wash away the fat produced by the glands overnight. As a result, the skin will lose its protective barrier that protects against external influences.
  2. For washing, use water at room temperature. It is recommended to take a warm shower. Hot water is best avoided.
  3. Forget about tap water. It is better to wash with settled, cooled after boiling or filtered water.
  4. Wash without soap, use foam or moisturizing gel. After washing, do not rub your face with a towel, but lightly blot the moisture.
  5. Caring for dry skin involves using carefully selected products. Products must be from the series of the same name. The mark “moisturizing” must be present.
  6. Before purchasing products, be sure to study the composition. Avoid products containing alcohol, as it dries out the skin greatly. Be sure to take this fact into account when preparing lotions and masks.
  7. Use decorative cosmetics wisely and with restraint. You can apply powder with protective filters or foundation with a moisturizing effect to your facial skin.
  8. Before going to bed, be sure to remove makeup from your face. For this purpose, special products are provided, including cosmetic milk.
  9. Correct drinking regime. If your facial skin is extremely dry, drink as much water as possible. The daily norm should be within two liters.
  10. Proper nutrition is the key to success. It is recommended to consume spices and spicy foods, alcoholic drinks and soda as little as possible. All this has a diuretic effect and evaporates moisture, worsening the condition of the skin.
  11. Take a course of multivitamins every six months. If your face is covered with a flaky crust, pay special attention to vitamins “A” and “E”, which are abundant in fish oil.
  12. In the room where you are constantly located, the air should be fresh and humidified. Constantly ventilate your workplace or apartment or use a humidifier.
  13. Experts do not recommend that women with dry skin use saunas or swimming pools. It is undesirable to engage in sports accompanied by profuse sweating.
  14. Before water procedures in a pool or natural reservoir, cover your face with a layer of rich cream.
  15. Do not expose your skin to prolonged exposure to low temperatures or sun. If this cannot be avoided, a protective cream will come to the rescue.
  16. If you really want to keep your skin moisturized, you will have to quit smoking.

I think now you have a complete picture and know what to do if the skin on your face is dry and flaky. The techniques, methods, recipes and recommendations that I shared are quite simple and accessible. If you strive for results, you will definitely cope with them.

If the essence of the problem is hidden much deeper or the problem is very advanced, forget about embarrassment and go to the doctor for help. He will conduct an examination and prescribe the optimal course of treatment.

Understanding the causes of excessive dryness of the skin of the body, it is important to note that moisture is especially important for the normal functioning of the human body throughout his life.

How important is moisture to humans and why?

The need to regularly replenish the body with fluid is predetermined by human nature, because it 80% consists of water and it is this that is necessary to ensure important life processes: digestion of food, thermoregulation, delivery of necessary substances to cells and their nutrition.

Proper water balance is the key to healthy skin

In addition to the main function of replenishing the body with useful substances and elements, water is responsible for removing waste and toxins.

Since cells are saturated with nutrients and everything unnecessary is removed from the body thanks to water, its lack significantly accelerates aging. To the extent water is also involved in the process of food digestion, then with its normal quantity this process occurs easily and quickly, and with a lack of water, all substances are poorly absorbed and are not absorbed at all.

Which subsequently leads to a deterioration in health and the development of various diseases. For the normal functioning of the average person a person needs to drink about 2.5-3 liters of water per day.

As a rule, the main reason why a person has very dry skin all over the body is the lack of normal fluid supply to the body. However, there are other reasons.

Symptoms of lack of fluid

What symptoms indicate a lack of fluid in the body:

  • The appearance of wrinkles, cracks, peeling;
  • Feeling of itching, burning, unpleasant feeling of skin stiffness after washing;
  • The appearance of age spots;
  • General discomfort from touching the skin;

If you have very dry skin all over your body, the main reasons may be:

  1. Age (natural aging of the body).
    Due to physiological aging, metabolic processes in the body slow down and it cannot retain moisture as much as in youth. If you do not replenish fluid reserves in time, the skin becomes dry, and wrinkles and cracks appear on the body.
  2. Heredity.
    Many people face the problem of dry skin even in early or middle age. This is due to hereditary predisposition, which is passed down from ancestors and cannot be cured forever. Throughout life, a person can only maintain a normal state by constantly taking vitamin complexes and dietary supplements, which more or less stabilize the level of fluid in the body.
  3. Childbirth.
    After childbirth, the skin becomes dry because the production of the hormone estrogen stops, and it is responsible for skin elasticity. Another reason may be a woman’s insufficient skin care, which leads to a lack of essential microelements, causing excessive dryness.
  4. Stress.
    Stress promotes the production of cortisone, which not only leads to dry skin, but also the loss of attractive appearance of the skin. The skin reacts to stress with inflammation and peeling, itching and redness, which causes great discomfort.
  5. Weight loss.
    Sudden weight loss can be due to anything: illness, stress, hormonal changes. The skin reacts to all this and becomes dry.
  6. Spending a long time in the solarium.
    Beautiful skin color is great. But this can cost you your health, because any radical effect on the skin of the body can negatively respond with the development of various kinds of diseases and ailments.
  7. Diseases and unhealthy lifestyle.
    Dry skin can also occur due to various diseases. Dryness is caused by: lack of vitamins and minerals, poor nutrition, poor environment, diseases of the nervous system, working in hazardous industries, smoking, alcoholism.
  8. Hot air and climate.
    Sometimes dry skin occurs due to a change in climate zone, moving to a hotter and drier climate: the skin finds it difficult to adapt to the changes and it begins to react.
  9. Cosmetics.
    Wrong choice of cosmetics and personal care products: it is quite possible that the chosen cosmetic product is not suitable for you, for example, it causes allergies, which also leads to dry skin.

If during the heating season the apartment is stuffy and dry, this also contributes to this problem.

Based on the above points, even without visiting a dermatologist, you can determine why very dry skin of the whole body usually occurs. The reasons eloquently indicate a disruption in the normal functioning of the body.

How to overcome dry skin

Initially, you need to determine the type of dry skin and the stage of drying of the skin.

There are two types of dry skin:

  1. Dryness with normal tone, when symptoms of dryness are present, but the skin still remains smooth and elastic.
  2. Dryness with poor tone. Such skin is characterized by the rapid appearance of cracks and wrinkles, and the skin itself is thin.

If the first type can be cured with folk remedies and special creams, then for the second one you need to use more complex, comprehensive treatment.

Now it is important to choose the treatment that is suitable for a particular woman, based on the individual characteristics of her body.


An excellent remedy for dry skin is a bath with flax seed, chamomile and honey.

Traditional methods of dealing with dry skin:

1.Special baths:


Therapeutic baths with herbal infusions are especially useful

2. Skin peeling. The second effective way to combat dry skin is peeling the upper layers - the epidermis. Peeling is easy to do even at home.


To do this you need:

  1. Mix honey (preferably liquid), salt, vegetable oil at the rate of 4:1:1 tablespoons. Apply this mixture to your skin and wait 5 minutes. Afterwards, rinse thoroughly. Next, wash with clean warm water.
  2. Grind almonds and oatmeal using a food chopper or coffee grinder, add 2 tablespoons of sour cream and apply it all to the skin, wait 5 minutes and rinse. Wash with clean warm water.

3. Useful moisturizing and nourishing masks for dry skin care:

  1. Mix 2 tablespoons of honey and olive oil, apply to skin, leave for 20 minutes, wash.
  2. A solution of 200 ml of water (mineral) and 50 ml of milk, rub into the body for 15 minutes, then rinse.
  3. Mix the pulp of avocado, banana and cream (half a glass), butter 100 g. and a few drops of rose oil. Rub this mixture into the skin and leave for 15 minutes, then rinse.
  4. A mask of an oil solution (vitamin E) and water: any vegetable oil mixed with water will do.

A good face mask can be easily made at home

Complex treatment:

  1. Diet: eat fruits and vegetables, nuts, beef, eggs, seafood, prunes, drink 2 liters of fluid per day.
  2. Quitting bad habits: smoking and alcoholism are contraindicated.
  3. Distribution of healthy sleep and rest.
  4. Physical activity in moderation.
  5. Moisturizing body skin.

Cosmetics and hygiene products:

  1. Use special moisturizing soap, soft towels and washcloths.
  2. For care you need: milk, mousse or gel; if lotion is used, it must be water-based and not alcohol-based.
  3. You can use micellar water as a cleanser.
  4. To soften and moisturize there are creams, gels and ointments that are made from fats, vitamins and plant extracts.

How to properly care for your skin so as not to treat it

Prevention of dry skin is very important in order not to bring it to a painful state.


If the skin of the whole body is dry, it is necessary to humidify the air in the apartment

If you notice dry skin all over your body, the reason may lie in insufficient air humidity. In this case need to install a humidifier in the room.

Dermatologists include the following mandatory preventive procedures for dry body skin:

  1. Washing and cleansing.
  2. Toning.
  3. Hydration.
  4. Nutrition.

This is necessary because dryness is caused by the skin is not able to absorb moisture normally and we need to help her with this. It is very important to use special creams, make masks, and take baths. It is important that everything the products used were hypoallergenic, safe, dermatologically tested.

You need to wash with cool water: hot water dries out the skin.

What is contraindicated for dry skin?

In order not to harm the body’s work in the fight against dry skin, you need to act very carefully and adhere to some rules:

  • excluding hot baths with regular soap. Alkaline soap dries the skin and leads to inflammation, just like hot water.
  • observing the correct application of water-based cream: no earlier than half an hour before going outside.
  • You cannot swim in a pool with chlorinated water, and if you really need to, then before swimming you need to apply a moisture-resistant cream.
  • Scrubs should not be used to cleanse the skin; they will lead to cracks, redness and inflammation of the skin.

Physiotherapy for dry skin

Another way to treat dry skin is physical therapy. Distinguish 3 type of therapy.


Mesotherapy of facial skin for its restoration and rejuvenation

Physiotherapy for dry skin:

  1. This is an injection enriched with microelements: potassium, magnesium, sulfur, comfort, zinc, selenium to nourish the skin, restore it and regulate the metabolic process.
  2. Skin biorevitalization. Such preparations are based on hyaluronic acid. They not only moisturize the skin, but also normalize the condition of elastin and collagen fibers.
  3. Microcurrent therapy. It consists of ten procedures that regulate lymphatic drainage and blood circulation. Acts through small electromagnetic waves, neutralizing the causes of dry skin throughout the body

What vitamins are good for the skin?

Natural oils, vitamin E, B, ceramides and phospholipids, hyaluronic acid are very useful.


If improvements do not appear, but on the contrary, the condition worsens, you should definitely contact a dermatologist. He will select an individual treatment depending on the specific causes of dry skin throughout the body.

Based on the individual characteristics of the body, you can choose the most appropriate treatment.

In the video you will learn how to care for problematic, oily and combination skin:

In this video you can learn how to care for dry and very dry skin:

In the video you can learn how to care for very dry hand skin:

A frequent question that you, my dears, ask me is whether oil dries out the skin? I treated him very responsibly and interviewed a specialist, Hussein Naimi, Doctor of Biochemical Sciences, Doctor of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Director MAGIC ARGANA s.a.r.l Maroc .

He has already written an article for my blog on the topic. And today he will answer the question: does oil dry out the skin? Can I use oil instead of cream? How are cream manufacturers fooling us? Is it necessary to apply oil to damp skin? What oils best moisturize and nourish the skin?

Let's talk about poor unfortunate skin that we put to the test every day. We smear it with creams, lotions, serums, which often contain preservatives, silicones, emulsifiers, flavors, and mineral oils.

To simplify the explanation, let's briefly introduce the structure of the skin.

On the surface of the skin there is a hydro-lipid filter: water and fat.

Below starts epiderm. The epidermis is a wall of bricks, and inside these bricks is water. The closer to the surface of the skin, the less water is contained inside the bricks. As expected, the bricks are held together with cement. They work with cement at our construction site. fatty acid— Omega 3, 6, 9, 12 and other complex lipids.

The main postulate that you need to know and understand: bricks containing water inside are surrounded and connected by cement made of fatty acids. This is the only way our skin can contain water in its structure!

Of course, the question immediately arises: where does this water come from? Exclusively from inside the body Therefore, it is imperative and necessary to drink enough water daily.

Now let's imagine that we apply an expensive and wonderful cream to our skin, which contains the purest water and high-quality vegetable oils. Water and fat are just what you need. It is the vegetable oil, not the water, that is absorbed by the skin. Due to its proximity to the fatty acids of the intercellular cement, the oil easily penetrates between the bricks, this is the so-called intercellular road. The level of hydration of your skin (% water content in it) depends on this road, on this fatty cement.

Even if you use a very good cream, your skin absorbs only the oily base from it, and the hydrocomponent (water) evaporates from the surface, leaving, at best, a pleasant sensation. It's the fatty acids that improve your skin's texture, not the water!

  1. Use vegetable oils, and not oils intended for engines. Nature itself has given us vegetable oils that contain the fatty acids that our skin needs and need. It is these acids that support the fatty cement, which allows cells to capture water from within the body and retain it, which makes the skin hydrated and elastic.
  2. Water never penetrates the body through the skin. This is a scientific fact. Such a misconception was characteristic only of ancient European aristocrats. They were afraid of water, its penetration into the body, and preferred to remain dirty.
  3. The goal of any moisturizer is to hydrate the skin with fatty acids. The most important component in these creams is fatty acids, which are found in vegetable oils. Therefore, claims that vegetable oils dry the skin are nonsense and absurd! Cream is beautiful commercial presentation of fatty acids, which are found naturally in vegetable oils.
  4. If you are using thick and heavy vegetable oil- yes, indeed, it can close and block pores, interfere with absorption and remain on the surface. In this case it is important that the skin was damp. Why? Because drops of water on the surface of your skin break down the thickness of the oil into thousands and thousands of small fractions. In other words, one drop of thick oil breaks down into many small ones, which are more easily absorbed.
  5. High-quality light oils can be applied to dry skin without fear. The first place in terms of its ability to deeply moisturize the skin rightfully belongs to argan oil, due to its unique composition and its ability to quickly and deeply penetrate the epidermis. Well moisturizes the skin jojoba oil, macadamia oil, almond oil.
  6. If you use moisturizers, Be sure to check which oil the cream contains—vegetable or mineral. Only vegetable oils promote skin hydration.

Hussein Naimi,
Doctor of Biochemical Sciences, Doctor of Pharmaceutical Sciences,
CEO

Thank you

The site provides reference information for informational purposes only. Diagnosis and treatment of diseases must be carried out under the supervision of a specialist. All drugs have contraindications. Consultation with a specialist is required!

The skin is the largest organ of the human body, which has numerous and highly varied functions. This organ takes part in the processes of respiration, metabolism, thermoregulation, etc. In addition, the skin protects the body from a number of negative environmental factors. By the appearance of the outer covering one can judge the general condition of the entire organism as a whole. But what does it “signal” about? dry skin and how dangerous this phenomenon is, you can find out by reading this article.

Dry skin – what is it?

Dry skin, dry skin or xeroderma- this is one of the signs of lack of moisture in the epidermis, or rather in its uppermost layer. The epidermis is the outer stratum corneum of the skin, the distinctive feature of which is considered to be the absence of living cells in it. In the same layer there is an accumulation of a very small amount of water ( about 20%). As soon as this layer begins to lack moisture, the lower layers of skin with living cells immediately begin to intensively evaporate water. As a result, there is a significant slowdown in the metabolic process, which leads to dulling of the skin. Any pathogenic microorganisms can penetrate through such skin, provoking the development of a wide variety of pathological conditions. Dry skin is a fairly common phenomenon, which is especially common in middle-aged and elderly people.

Symptom or normal?

Modern experts distinguish two main types of dry skin, namely:
1. acquired dry skin;
2. constitutionally caused dry skin.

1. In the first case, the skin becomes dry under the influence of certain external factors. This can be either ultraviolet rays, high temperature or low air humidity, frost, wind, etc. Often, excessive dryness of the skin is the result of a variety of therapeutic measures or numerous peeling procedures ( exfoliation of the upper stratum corneum of the skin) or dermabrasion ( skin rejuvenation method). The same changes are possible with external use of retinoids, azelaic acid and some other drugs.

2. Constitutionally dry skin is usually caused by physiological or genetic characteristics. Most often it is observed in children aged 2 to 6 years. It is during this period that a physiological decrease in the synthesis of sebum by the sebaceous glands occurs. Dry skin on the back, legs, face and hands can often be found in representatives of the fairer sex with thin and white skin. There is such a term in modern medicine as senile xerosis.
Senile xerosis is a clinical symptom characterized by excessive dryness of the skin as it ages. Quite often, the skin becomes dry during premenopause, as well as menopause ( complete cessation of menstruation due to cessation of ovarian function). Constitutionally caused dryness can also be observed with some skin pathologies such as ichthyosis ( hereditary disease characterized by various keratinization disorders).

There is another classification of dry skin, according to which it can be:
1. with good tone;
2. with decreased tone.

1. The surface of dry skin with good tone is smooth, elastic and matte. In addition, there are no wrinkles on it, however, it reacts sensitively to any external irritants, so it requires regular cosmetic care. If you don't take care of it, it will very quickly lose its tone. In most cases, such skin is typical for young people.

2. The surface of the skin with reduced tone is thinned. This is especially noticeable in the area around the mouth and eyes, since it is in these places that early wrinkles and folds appear. Owners of such skin require more modern methods of caring for it, since conventional cosmetics are not able to improve its general condition and appearance.

Is it possible to identify dry skin on your own?

Yes, you can. To do this, you need to press on the skin with your fingers. If fingerprints do not disappear for a long time, it means that your skin is dry and, therefore, vulnerable. There are other signs of dry skin.
Their list includes:
  • The skin cracks and peels;
  • Peels off in scales;
  • Itching and discomfort are felt;
  • Covered with red spots;
  • Very rough and inelastic;
  • There are practically no visible pores on it;
  • It is especially tight after a bath, shower or swimming;
  • You can feel its roughness;
  • There are deep cracks that sometimes even bleed.

Why does the skin need water?

A sufficient amount of moisture is one of the main conditions for the normal functioning of the entire skin. The appearance of the skin also depends on the level of hydration. It is moisture that gives the skin firmness and elasticity. It also enriches the skin cells with all the necessary nutritional components. Without the necessary hydration, the skin becomes both thin and dry. In addition, it becomes covered with wrinkles and becomes hypersensitive to external influences.

The degree of skin hydration is determined by 2 regulatory mechanisms:

  • general condition of the stratum corneum;
  • total amount of sebum.
Both horny cells and sebum tend to form a so-called lipid layer, which protects the skin from losing large amounts of moisture. The lipid layer is also necessary to prevent the penetration of foreign agents such as pathogenic microbes, toxins and allergens into the deep layers of the skin. It follows that dry skin is a direct path to the development of immune reactions and inflammatory processes. It also provokes premature aging.

Mechanisms that prevent skin dryness

The epidermis, or rather its stratum corneum, is precisely the mechanism that not only prevents the skin from drying out, but is also responsible for its normal general condition. There is a unique structure designed to maintain normal moisture content of this layer.

In this structure, a special role is assigned to corneocytes ( postcellular structures of the stratum corneum) and intercellular lipids. Lipids include: ceramides, so fatty acid, ceramides etc. The production of these substances occurs in special organelles ( parts) cells of the granular layer. The produced lipids, in turn, form the main barrier to water, which prevents large amounts of moisture from evaporating. Lipids are also responsible for the integrity of the skin, since they tend to firmly connect postcellular structures to each other.

Diseases accompanied by dry skin

1. Hypothyroidism;
2. Psoriasis or lichen planus;
3. Atopic dermatitis ;
4. Diabetes ;
5. Eczema;
6. Stress;
7. Kidney failure;
8. Allergic rhinitis;
9. Chronic intoxication;
10. Ichthyosis;
11. Keratosis pilaris;
12. Dystrophy;
13. Seborrhea ( dandruff);
14. Hypovitaminosis A And RR ;
15. Sjögren's disease.

1. Hypothyroidism: a specific condition of the body that occurs as a reaction to low levels of thyroid hormones. In this case, the skin becomes especially dry in the elbow area. Other symptoms include drowsiness, hearing loss, split nails, dull hair, swelling of the limbs, etc. All these signs can be eliminated by compensating for the required amount of hormones.

2. Psoriasis or scaly lichen: is a chronic non-contagious skin disease that occurs as a result of disruption of the endocrine and nervous systems or metabolism. In such cases, the skin of patients becomes not only dry, but also inflamed. It swells and begins to peel off. Peeling of the skin in certain areas of the body that have been affected is often observed. The course of treatment for this pathology depends on its form.

3. Atopic dermatitis: a chronic allergic disease that develops in individuals with a genetic predisposition to atopy ( allergies). This disease is not contagious, but it is characterized by a relapsing course, so its treatment will take a lot of time. In such cases, the skin becomes dry and thickened. Crusts are observed in places where scratching occurs.

4. Diabetes: a chronic pathological condition accompanied by a disorder of all types of metabolism due to an absolute or partial lack of insulin in the body, i.e. pancreatic hormone. Skin with diabetes mellitus becomes dry most often in the area of ​​skin folds, although any other areas of the skin can be affected.

5. Eczema: acute or chronic inflammatory disease of the skin, which is allergic in nature and is not contagious. With this pathology, patients complain of dry skin, rash, itching and a burning sensation in the affected area.

6. Stress: the body’s general reaction to a psychological or physical impact that disrupts its usual state. Such a reaction can provoke the development of a number of symptoms, namely: nausea, abdominal pain, fever, chills, feeling short of air, etc. Frequent stressful conditions are especially dangerous. They lead to uncontrollable anxiety and loss of large amounts of moisture from the body.

7. Kidney failure: a pathological condition accompanied by impaired renal function to maintain a constant internal environment of the body. Patients experience nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite, and decreased consciousness. The skin is typically dry and pale with a yellow tint.

8. Allergic rhinitis: inflammation of the mucous membrane of the nasal cavity, which occurs under the influence of certain allergens and is accompanied by itching in the nose, sneezing and difficulty in nasal breathing. Often this condition is characterized by dry skin in the area of ​​inflammation.

9. Chronic intoxication: a pathological condition resulting from regular exposure of the body to certain toxic substances that arise in the body itself. In this case, all systems and organs of the human body, including the skin, are affected.

10. Ichthyosis: hereditary dermatosis, characterized by the formation of scales on the skin that resemble fish scales in their entire appearance. Dry skin is especially pronounced on the extensor surfaces of the upper and lower extremities. Sometimes the torso is also affected.

11. Keratosis pilaris: a congenital familial pathology that begins to develop in childhood, but its symptoms become more pronounced only during puberty. The skin of such patients is hard, dry and rough. The extensor surfaces of the upper and lower extremities, the skin of the abdomen and back are affected.

12. Dystrophy: a pathological process in which a particular tissue loses or accumulates substances that are not characteristic of it in its normal state. The skin becomes very dry and pale.

13. Dandruff or seborrhea: a pathological condition of the skin caused by dysfunction of the sebaceous glands, as well as changes in the composition of their secretions. The skin becomes dry only with the dry form of seborrhea.

14. Hypovitaminosis A and PP: represents a lack of these vitamins in the body. A specific symptom is general dryness of the skin with slight pityriasis-like peeling.

15. Sjögren's disease: systemic autoimmune pathology, accompanied by damage to various secreting glands. Dry skin is a common sign of this pathological condition. In addition, patients experience decreased visual acuity, photophobia, stomatitis, dental caries, etc.

Other Possible Causes

  • Bathing in hot water;
  • Aging;
  • Failure to maintain a healthy lifestyle;
  • Frequent washing;
  • Taking medications;
  • Seasonal factors;
  • Climate change;
  • Dehydration;
  • Inflammatory processes;
  • Allergic reactions;
  • Irritations;
  • Wounds, scratches, cuts;
  • Dry air in homes;
  • Excessive use of alkaline soaps and cosmetics;
  • Disorders of the gastrointestinal tract.

Skin after vacation

Quite often we face the same problem - we come from vacation with soft and elastic skin, but after 3-4 days it becomes hard and dry. There are plenty of reasons for this. First of all, this is a long stay in the sun, the consequences of which do not immediately become apparent. The local climate, which is much drier than the maritime climate, also plays an important role.

What to do?
First of all, it is necessary to humidify the air in the house as much as possible. To do this, place vases with fresh flowers or vessels with water throughout the rooms. While in the car, set the air conditioner or climate control to 85% humidity for at least 7 days. It is very important to carry out several moisturizing procedures under polyethylene. Such procedures will help increase sweating and reabsorption of water by the skin. Just 3 procedures and you don’t have to worry about dry skin.

Fish skin and swimming pool

“Fish skin” or ichthyosis is a congenital pathological condition characterized by excessive dryness of the skin. Coping with this pathology is not so easy. Patients are prescribed baths with starch, salt or soda, as well as special ointments based on urea or salicylic acid. Often the skin becomes dry for all those citizens who regularly visit the pool. Most often, the elbows, knees and forearms are affected by peeling, although the whole body can become dry. To avoid all these problems, be sure to rinse with cool water after each swim in the pool.


Skin climax

Quite often, the skin becomes dry in women over 45 – 50 years old. The skin of their feet and palms suffers especially badly. This phenomenon is due to very diverse hormonal changes that occur both before and during menopause. Treatment in such cases should be comprehensive. Women are often prescribed hormone replacement medications.

Weight loss products are also harmful!

Quite often, the skin becomes dry among the fairer sex, who are constantly trying to get rid of extra pounds. In this case, two options are possible. The first is a fairly strict diet, due to which the body lacks proteins, vitamins and microelements. The second is special weight loss products, which have both diuretic and laxative effects. These properties of such products cause the removal of huge amounts of water from the body. As a result, the skin becomes dehydrated. It becomes dry and begins to peel. Given this fact, while taking such medications, you must drink at least 2 liters of liquid daily. You should opt for low-fat fermented milk drinks, plain water and juices. Strong tea and coffee should be avoided, as these drinks contribute to dehydration of the body.

Risk factors

Despite the fact that anyone without exception can become the owner of dry skin, there is a certain group of people who are especially at risk of developing this phenomenon.

This group can include:

  • people over 65 years of age;
  • citizens who very often take a hot bath or shower;
  • persons living in climates with low humidity or in cold climates.

Possible complications

1. Phlegmon – acute inflammation of the connective tissue of the skin under the influence of bacteria or infections;

2. Eczema or atopic dermatitis – a pathology characterized by redness, inflammation, and cracking of the skin;

3. Folliculitis – inflammation of the hair follicle, characterized by redness and swelling of the affected area. At the site of the lesion, a nodule with an abscess on the surface, which is penetrated by hair, may also form.

The development of all these diseases is possible in case of improper care of such skin or against the background of weakening of the protective functions of the skin.

When is it necessary to consult a dermatologist?

You should seek help from a doctor if:
  • In addition to dryness, there is redness of the skin;
  • Your sleep is disrupted due to dryness and itching;
  • The efforts made did not help improve the general condition of the skin;
  • Ulcers appeared on the skin;
  • Large areas of severely flaky skin are observed.

What should the diet be like?

Both dryness and flaking of the skin are most often caused by insufficient amounts of vitamins and minerals. In most cases we are talking about vitamins of the group IN . To replenish the amount of these components, experts recommend eating more eggs, fresh fish, green vegetables, brown rice, dairy products, brown bread, liver, fruits and nuts. Eating vegetables and fruits will help activate the process of collagen production, but the liver is one of the main sources of protein. Large amount of vitamin WITH found in both lemons and oranges, as well as sea buckthorn juice. Dairy products will enrich the body with amino acids, which take part in the construction of body cells, including skin cells. “Good” cholesterol, which is involved in metabolism, is found in fatty fish. It is imperative to include vitamins in the diet A . All red vegetables and fruits are enriched with this vitamin. Every day you should eat 300 to 400 grams of beets, carrots, red bell peppers, red apples or tomatoes. In addition, you can seek help from special vitamin and mineral complexes.

Dry skin in newborns

Numerous young mothers are faced with the phenomenon of excessive dry skin in their babies. In fact, this phenomenon is quite normal, since the sweat glands do not work actively enough in the first days of a baby’s life. Their increased activity is observed only during the period of adaptation of the baby, so that after a few days the dryness disappears, and on its own. Additional moisturizing in the form of oils and creams is not required.

Dry skin in children

In childhood, the skin can become dry for a number of reasons. These can be both natural factors and frequent bathing, hard water, early artificial feeding, malnutrition of the mother during pregnancy or lactation, various intestinal pathologies, too early introduction of complementary foods, the presence of various household chemicals in the house, etc. It is worth remembering that children's skin is very delicate, so it quickly reacts to any, even the most insignificant changes. Even the most common talc-based baby powder can dry out your skin. Dry skin is one of those problems that needs to be dealt with, as it can lead to redness, pain, flaking, itching and cracking of the skin. Most often, dryness is combated with moisturizing lotions and creams. If they do not help, then the child needs to be shown to a specialist who can determine the true cause of what is happening and, therefore, prescribe adequate treatment.

During pregnancy

Dry skin is one of those problems that almost all expectant mothers face, and all because during this period the body experiences a sharp need for fluid. This “dehydration” most often affects the upper limbs, feet, and facial skin. This phenomenon should be combated with the help of special means to relieve irritation, the instructions of which indicate that they do not tend to have side effects on the fetus. Under no circumstances should you opt for products that contain hydrocortisone or cortisone, as they will only increase dehydration.

It's best to start by following some fairly simple tips, namely:

  • Use emollients;
  • Wash your face 2 times a day using foam for dry skin;
  • Make a moisturizing mask once a week;
  • Drink as much non-carbonated mineral water as possible, which helps moisturize the skin from the inside;
  • If necessary, use a humidifier;
  • Use scrubs with small particles only;
  • Take a bath no more than once a week, using healing oils that contain extracts of medicinal plants.

5 myths about dry skin

Myth 1:


Dry skin is a congenital property.
This also happens, however, this is not a pattern. The skin can become dry under the influence of cosmetics or due to an unbalanced diet, so it’s not always Mother Nature’s fault.

Myth 2:
Dry skin needs a nourishing cream, but dehydrated skin needs a moisturizing one..

In fact, all skin needs hydration, regardless of its type. Even if you have normal skin, without additional moisturizing, very soon it will become dehydrated, and, consequently, begin to peel and crack.

Myth 3:
Dry skin is dehydrated skin.

This is wrong. These problems are different. In the first case, there is a significant decrease in the production of sebum, but in the second, it is all due to a lack of moisture against the background of impaired barrier functions.

Myth 4:
For dry skin, proper care is enough.

Care alone is not enough. Very often, patients need complex treatment, including a balanced diet, the use of cosmetics, as well as therapy for the underlying disease.

Myth 5:
Dry skin doesn't need water.

Despite the fact that water “washes away” the special protective film, there is no way to do without it, since only with its help can complete cleansing be achieved. Having cleansed the skin, you can be sure that the applied cream will be completely absorbed, and, therefore, will give the necessary therapeutic effect.

Dry scalp - what to do?

Dry scalp is a fairly common phenomenon, which is especially common in winter. The first sign of this problem can most often be found on the shoulders. In such cases, people come to the conclusion that they have dandruff, but they should not make hasty conclusions and immediately buy anti-dandruff shampoo, which in this case will only worsen the general situation. First, carefully examine the fallen flakes. If they are large and endowed with a yellowish tint, then this is not dandruff, but the result of an imbalance of the sebaceous glands.

What to do?
First of all, seek help from your diet. Enrich your daily diet with fatty acids. Eat more avocados and fatty fish. Avoid using perfumed conditioners and shampoos for a while. Buy softer products and wash your hair with them carefully. After washing your hair, rinse your hair with apple cider vinegar for a week. It would not be a bad idea to purchase an air humidifier.

This mask is also perfect for caring for dry scalp: thoroughly mix 1 tbsp. l. honey with 2 tbsp. l. olive oil . Pour the resulting mixture into a plastic container. Then take a coffee cup, pour almost boiling water and carefully lower the container into it. After 3 - 4 minutes, take out the container, cut off one of its corners and pour the contents onto your hair. We put on a cap and leave the mask for exactly 15 minutes, after which we wash our hair with shampoo.

It is important to note that the scalp can be dry even in the presence of certain diseases. It could be like psoriasis ( autoimmune pathology characterized by dry, itchy and flaky skin), and baldness or seborrheic dermatitis ( a chronic inflammatory disease that affects those areas of the skin where the sebaceous glands are developed). In all these cases, complex treatment will be required, which can only be prescribed by a specialist.

Dry hand skin and how to deal with it?

The condition of the skin of the hands directly depends on a number of factors. These include the rules of hand care, the general condition of the body, living conditions, nutrition, and much more. If at least one of these conditions is violated, the skin of the hands almost immediately becomes dry and rough. In addition, the skin begins to age. It is not surprising that sometimes it is the hands that reveal a woman’s true age. Various internal causes, such as chronic pathologies, which provoke persistent metabolic disorders, also have a detrimental effect on the hands.
  • Regularly use soap that contains nourishing cream;
  • Dry your hands thoroughly after each wash;
  • Wash your hands with lukewarm water, then rinse them with cold water;
  • Under no circumstances go outside with wet hands, and in cold weather without gloves;
  • In the morning and evening, massage a nourishing cream containing glycerin into the skin, which has a moisturizing effect;
  • During the hot season, lubricate your hands with sunscreen before going outside;
  • Do all housework with rubber gloves;
  • Regularly treat your hands with a scrub, which will help get rid of dead cells;
  • In the evening after using the cream, put plastic gloves on your hands for 30 minutes.

Masks and compresses for dry skin of hands

Recipe No. 1: Make mashed potatoes and apply it in a thin layer to the skin of your hands. We put on gloves and walk like this for 120 minutes, after which we wash our hands with warm water.

Recipe No. 2: mix 2 yolks with 2 tbsp. l. honey and 1/3 cup vegetable oil. Apply the resulting mixture to your hands and hold until it dries, then remove the mask with a damp cotton swab.

Recipe No. 3: one glass of sour cream must be mixed with 1 yolk and the juice of 1 lemon. Spread the resulting mixture in a thick layer on gauze, then wrap your hands in gauze, wrap them in cellophane and wrap them in a towel. After 20 minutes, remove the mask with a damp cotton swab, then put cotton gloves on your hands.

Recipe No. 4: Pour celery root with 1 liter of water and boil it for 60 minutes. Then we filter the resulting broth and use it to wipe our hands.

Recipe No. 5: 1 tbsp. l. steam crushed plantain leaves in 1 liter of boiled water. Strain the resulting infusion and keep your hands in it for at least 20 minutes. After this procedure, your hands must be thoroughly dried and lubricated with a rich cream.

How to properly care for dry skin?

Dry facial skin requires both careful and timely care. If you do not take care of such skin, very soon the wrinkles that we are so afraid of will appear. Irritation and inflammation of such skin can occur even from ordinary water, which is why it is best to use melt water or special lotions for washing. Even if you don’t have melt water on hand, then add a little soda to the water or use milk, after diluting it with water. Infusions or decoctions of medicinal herbs are also excellent for washing. Regularly apply special masks to the skin, but only after cleansing the skin and after a warm compress or massage. Masks can be made from oatmeal, dairy products, warm porridge or mashed potatoes. Special gymnastic procedures, as well as a balanced diet, can also give good results.

Recipes for some face masks

Mask with vegetables: grind the oatmeal and mix it with grated carrots in a 1:1 ratio. Dilute the mixture with a small amount of milk and apply it to the skin. After 15 – 20 minutes, wash off the mask with warm water.

Mustard mask: mix 1 tsp. mustard with the same amount of vegetable oil and a small amount of boiled water. Apply the mixture to your face for 5 minutes, then wash it off with warm water.

Mask of honey and yolks: Mix 2 yolks with 0.5 tbsp. l. honey and 2 tbsp. l. vegetable oil. Lightly heat the resulting mixture in a water bath and apply it to the face in layers. Each layer should be applied after 5 minutes. Just 3 - 4 layers. After applying the last layer, wait 20 minutes and rinse off the mask with warm water.

Dry skin around the eyes

Dry skin both on the eyelids and around the eyes is a fairly serious problem, since if it is present, women not only experience pain and discomfort, but also cannot use decorative cosmetics and apply makeup. There are many reasons for dry skin in this area. These include problems with the cornea, allergic reactions, and chronic inflammation of the eyelids ( blepharitis), and lack of tear fluid, and frequent use of eye makeup, as well as numerous eye infections. Often the skin around the eyes becomes dry due to such an addiction as smoking. If the reason lies in some disease, then it is worth visiting an ophthalmologist who will prescribe the necessary treatment.

If the reason is not so significant, then start following some fairly simple rules:
  • Regularly moisturize your skin with special moisturizing creams for the eye area;
  • Choose facial cleansers that contain skin-friendly ingredients;
  • Apply night cream regularly to the eye area;
  • Carefully protect this area from ultraviolet rays;
  • Switch to a healthy diet;
  • Keep yourself hydrated from within by drinking plenty of fluids daily.
Today, there are numerous home remedies that can be used to easily moisturize the skin around your eyes. One such remedy is a plant called aloe. Take a leaf of this plant, cut it, wrap it in a plastic bag and place it in a cool, dark place. After 10 days, squeeze the juice from the leaves and use it to wipe the area. This juice will restore both irritated and dry, as well as inflamed skin.

Dry skin on lips

In most cases, the skin on the lips becomes dry due to our own fault, since many of us have the habit of licking our lips, as a result of which the moisture formed on them evaporates very quickly. This problem occurs especially often in cold and windy weather. Lips can also become dry when exposed to direct sunlight. There are other reasons for the development of this phenomenon, among which can be identified a lack of moisture or nutritional components. In all cases, the problem must be dealt with, or better yet, prevent its development. To do this, before each exit from the house, you need to lubricate your lips with a special balm or cream that will help prevent chapping in this area. In summer, it is best to smear your lips with a product with a sunscreen effect. We must not forget about hygienic lipstick, as well as special vitamin complexes, the use of which is relevant at any time of the year. At the pharmacy you can also find special nutritional products in the form of creams that carefully care for this area and prevent the loss of large amounts of moisture. At least once a week you should massage your lips with a soft toothbrush. Avoid all long-lasting lipsticks for a while, as they tend to dry out your skin.

Masks for dry lips

Apple and butter mask: mix 1 tsp. grated apple with 1 tsp. softened butter. Apply the resulting mixture to your lips for 15 minutes.

Carrot and cottage cheese mask: mix 1 tsp. carrot juice with the same amount of cottage cheese and apply everything to the lips for 15 minutes.

Mustard or linseed oil mask: Apply one of the oils to your lips for 15 minutes.

All these masks can be applied to the lips no more than 2 times a week.

Dry foot skin in children and adults

In adults, dry skin is most often observed on the heels, since it is in this area that the skin is endowed with a thicker stratum corneum. Given this fact, this area should be treated with special attention. First of all, it is necessary to remove dead cells from the heels at least once a week. Pumice is perfect for this procedure. Immediately after removing loose particles, the heel should be thoroughly wiped and lubricated with one of the moisturizing creams.

Attention! Failure to properly care for this area can cause small cracks to appear, through which both microbes and fungus can easily penetrate.
As for dry skin on the feet of children, it has its own distinctive features. This skin is very susceptible to infections. In addition, inflammatory processes easily spread on it. Insufficient care of the skin of a child’s feet can cause the development of diaper dermatitis ( areas of red, inflamed skin) and diaper rash or prickly heat ( small red rashes). You can avoid all these troubles. To do this, after each hygiene procedure, you need to massage the baby’s feet and lubricate them with baby cream or oil.

Dry skin of the foreskin

Dry skin of the foreskin can be observed in the following pathological conditions:

Krauroz: inflammation of the foreskin and head of the penis, which has a recurrent form;

Balanitis: inflammation of the skin on the head of the penis, which can develop as a complication of an infectious or non-infectious disease;

Balanoposthitis: inflammation of the glans penis and foreskin.

In the fight against all these diseases, experts recommend paying close attention to genital hygiene, as well as using special drugs with anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and immunomodulatory effects.

Before use, you should consult a specialist.

Dry body skin is a rather unpleasant and common problem that causes discomfort. Dry skin can be a congenital phenomenon, or it can manifest itself throughout life as a result of exposure to certain factors. In addition to dryness and dullness, red, flaky areas may appear on the skin of the body, and in general it loses firmness and elasticity, ages quickly and looks rather unsightly. In addition, excessively dry skin is always accompanied by severe itching. What to do with dry body skin?

In normal skin, the sebaceous and sweat glands, during their interaction, form a thin film on the surface of the skin, which protects the epidermis from negative external influences (temperature changes, excessive and frequent exposure to hot water, etc.). This process can be disrupted under the influence of certain factors, resulting in dehydration, loss of firmness and elasticity, and dry skin.

Dry skin (xerosis) is mainly a temporary phenomenon and appears due to any reason; the period of exacerbation is most often observed in winter. However, dry skin can be bothersome and cause a lot of inconvenience throughout your life. This problem extends to the abdomen, arms, and lower limbs. But such distribution is very conditional.

Changing lifestyle, nutrition, and active skin care help get rid of dry skin on the body.

Causes of dry body skin.
In addition to the genetic factor, many others are to blame for the appearance of dry body skin, in particular:

  • Hormonal imbalances.
  • Dry air (heating in winter, air conditioning in summer).
  • A hot shower or hot bath dries out the skin and deprives it of its protective fat film.
  • Insufficient consumption of clean water leads to its deficiency in the body, and, as a result, to dehydration of the epidermis.
  • Climate.
  • Unbalanced and unhealthy diet, long-term strict diets.
  • Bad habits (smoking, drinking carbonated drinks, including sweet ones, coffee, tea in large quantities).
  • Prolonged exposure to the open sun (tanning, solarium).
  • Skin diseases disrupt the production of ceramides responsible for water balance (psoriasis, eczema, keratosis, diabetes, atopic dermatitis, ichthyosis, allergies).
  • Genetic predisposition.
  • Using soap (it dries out the skin).
  • Too frequent use of aggressive cosmetics to cleanse and exfoliate the skin (scrubs), or a complete lack of this procedure in care.
  • Metabolic disease.
  • Lack of vitamins in the body (especially E and A), as well as hypovitaminosis.
  • Long-term treatment with antibiotics (after such therapy, a course of vitamins and stomach treatment are required, which will have a positive effect on the skin).
  • Frequent stress.
In cosmetology, there are two types of dry skin:
  • The presence of good tone, when the skin is sensitive to irritants, sometimes unpleasant itching is observed, while the skin has not lost its elasticity, is smooth and matte without deep and numerous wrinkles. Often observed at a young age, regular and careful care is required, and protection from ultraviolet radiation is mandatory.
  • Dry skin with reduced tone is characterized by very thin skin around the eyes and in the area of ​​the nasolabial fold, and wrinkles form intensively. Conventional cosmetics are useless in care; deeper procedures are required.
Determining which type you are is quite simple; you just need to apply a little pressure on the skin with your fingertips. With a quick recovery (smoothed out), you have nothing to fear.

Treatment of dry body skin.
If dry skin appears against the backdrop of a change in climatic temperature, as a result of prolonged tanning and stays in a solarium, or dry indoor air, then in such cases it is necessary to limit or completely stop sunbathing, use air humidifiers in the apartment, or at work.

Be sure to moisturize your body skin twice a day every day.

If the problem of dryness and itching of the skin has arisen due to your active weight loss or insufficient drinking during the day, it is recommended to maintain a drinking regime, drinking at least one and a half liters of clean drinking water per day. Remember, strict diets lead to a deficiency of proteins and microelements in the body, and weight loss drugs remove excess fluid from the body. Hence, the skin loses tone, elasticity and firmness, and ages faster.

In women, a similar problem during menopause is solved by prescribing hormone replacement therapy.

In general, dry skin can occur as a sign of very serious diseases, so if dry skin is accompanied by redness, itching, insomnia, the appearance of ulcers or wide areas of peeling on the skin, you should not hesitate and consult a specialist. Only after a complete examination and tests, specialists (allergist, cosmetologist and dermatologist) will be able to identify the cause of dry epidermis and prescribe optimal treatment.

It is important to give up bad habits, improve your diet, you need to eat more foods that contain a lot of vitamin E (fatty fish and seafood, high-fat dairy products, nuts, vegetable oils, legumes, spinach and broccoli).

With this problem, it is recommended to avoid hot baths. Preference should be given to a warm shower or bath and no more than fifteen minutes, in order to avoid degreasing the skin. As hygiene products, it is advisable to choose cream-based shower gels or liquid soaps, which contain many ingredients with moisturizing properties. It is advisable to use such products no more than once every seven days.

Basic rules for caring for dry skin.
Caring for excessively dry body skin should be regular and include gentle exfoliation (peeling and scrub no more than once a week) and moisturizing (cosmetic oils, milk, lotion, body cream) immediately after hygiene procedures and at night. By the way, if your skin is dry after water procedures, you do not need to dry it with a towel, but only pat it lightly so that some moisture remains. After this, it is advisable to apply cosmetic oil to the body; it is an excellent strong moisturizer and perfectly retains moisture in the tissues. And before going to bed, you can use a lotion with a high content of ceramides, phospholipids and fatty acids.

Be sure to use protective cosmetics at any time of the year.

Since dry skin is very sensitive to various irritants, it is accordingly advisable to give preference to clothing made exclusively from natural, breathable fabrics (except wool), and to exclude synthetics, guipure, etc. It is important to choose the right clothes that suit the season.

For severe itching, cold compresses help, and hydrocortisone ointments or creams reduce inflammation.

Moisturizing body masks, which should be done twice a week, and baths with herbal infusions are very good for the skin. Such procedures will not only moisturize, soothe and cleanse the skin, but will also stimulate its regeneration.

Dry body skin, treatment with folk remedies.

Bath recipes.
Add a decoction of flaxseed (five teaspoons per liter of water, simmer for fifteen minutes, leave, strain) and chamomile (recipe on the back of the package) to a bath of warm water. Add decoctions to water. The duration of the procedure should be no more than fifteen minutes.

A glycerin bath is ideal for restoring dry skin. Add half a glass of medical glycerin in liquid form (sold at the pharmacy) to a bath of warm water.

Heat a liter of milk, but do not boil. Dilute 200 g of honey in a water bath. Gradually combine honey and milk, add two teaspoons of almond oil and pour into the bath.

Wrap three tablespoons of oatmeal in a gauze bag and tie. This bag must be secured to the bathroom faucet so that when opened, water flows through the oatmeal. Take a bath in this water for fifteen minutes.

Peeling recipes.
Combine four tablespoons of honey (preferably in liquid form, or melted) and a tablespoon of salt, add a tablespoon of any vegetable oil (linseed, olive, etc.) and stir thoroughly. Apply the composition with light massaging movements onto the skin of the body, leave for five minutes, and rinse.

Mix a tablespoon of oatmeal and almonds, grind everything using a coffee grinder. Next, mix the mixture with two tablespoons of sour cream. After taking a shower, apply the mixture to the skin and rinse off after five minutes. Dry the skin with a towel (lightly) and moisturize the skin.

Recipes for moisturizing body masks.
After taking a shower or warm bath, it is recommended to apply a mixture of two tablespoons of honey (preheat in a water bath) and the same amount of olive oil on the body. Leave the mixture for twenty minutes, then rinse off. This mask, in addition to nutrition, removes toxins.

Combine a glass of mineral water with 50 ml of milk. This mixture must be rubbed on the body for twenty minutes, then rinsed off. The procedure promotes collagen production.

Grind the pulp of one avocado, add the pulp of chopped banana to it. Add half a glass of cream, 100 grams of butter into the mixture and at the end add a couple of drops of rose oil. Whisk everything, apply to the body after taking a bath and leave for fifteen minutes, then rinse with a washcloth. This mask not only nourishes, but also effectively cleanses the skin.

It is useful to moisturize your skin with natural products after bathing. For example, moisten a cosmetic napkin (large) in milk (you can use aloe juice, kefir) and apply to the body. The duration of the procedure is fifteen minutes.

To deeply nourish the skin of the body, a mask made from an oil solution of vitamin E and water is recommended (the vitamin can be replaced with peach, apricot, almond oil, and avocado oil).

If you have tried all of the above methods and there is no improvement, but, on the contrary, the condition has worsened, consult a doctor.