Dry Skin

Definition

Dry skin, or xerosis, consists of dry, flaking and itching skin. Although it can be uncomfortable, it is rarely life threatening. While there are severe types of dry skin called ichthyoses, most dry skin conditions, however, can be alleviated with simple lifestyle measures. The whole body can be affected by xerosis but the most common areas are the arms and legs. Dry skin tends to be worse during the winter and in dry weather.

Chronic or severe dry skin may need evaluation and monitoring by a physician, but the most common and significant factors in the care of dry skin are those which can be self-managed at home. Skin is a highly effective barrier, preventing infection. Severe dry skin may crack and form fissures, breaking the protective barrier. Germs can enter, causing mild to severe, red, weeping infection.

Signs And Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of dry skin can vary with age, general health, living environment, time outdoors and the cause of the xerosis. Dry skin causes one or more of these:

Skin feels tight after bathing and showering or swimming
Skin looks and feels rough
Itching (the medical term is pruritis) can be mild to severe
Flaking and peeling - slight to severe
Cracks or fine lines
Gray, ashy skin, in people with dark skin
Redness
Deep cracks that may bleed
Chapped or cracked lips

Causes/Potential Causes

Anyone can develop dry skin with excessive loss of water or oil. Some factors which increase risk for developing the condition include:

Age: Skin becomes drier and thinner with age. By age 40, many people need to use moisturizing products.
Climate: Low humidity climates worsen dry skin.
Heat: Central heating, space heaters, fireplaces and wood-burning stoves are all drying.
Hot baths and showers: These are very drying.
Swimming: Frequent swimming is drying, especially in highly chlorinated pools.
Harsh soaps and detergents: Harsh cleansers pull moisture out of the skin. The most damaging are deodorant and antibacterial soaps. Some shampoos may dry the scalp.
Sun exposure: Sun doesn't just dry the skin; its ultraviolet (UV) light rays penetrate the skin to the deepest layer, where the rays do the most damage. It leads to deep wrinkles and sagging skin.
Other skin conditions: People with skin conditions, such as eczema (atopic dermatitis), or those which can cause a rapid buildup of skin cells, are at greater risk for dry skin. Psoriasis forms thick scales, and is usually associated with greater risk for dry skin.
Job: Nurses, hair stylists, and other people who immerse their skin in water, or wash their hands constantly, can develop severe xerosis with raw, cracked hands.

Prevention And Treatment

Prevention and treatment measures for dry skin are the same. They include:

Do not use hot water. It removes natural skin oils more quickly than warm water.
Limit time in the bath or shower to 5-10 minutes.
Use only gentle soaps without dyes and perfumes. Avoid deodorant and antibacterial cleansers.
Moisturize right after a bath or shower. Gently pat skin dry with a soft towel. Apply a pure botanical moisturizer to the skin. Use a product that contains 100% pure botanical ingredients that feed your skin cells what they crave.
Soften skin before you shave - right after bathing when hairs are soft. A shaving cream or gel can lessen irritation. Leave the product on for three minutes before starting to shave.
Change razor blades every 5-7 shaves. A dull blade irritates skin more than a fresh blade.
Use a humidifier to keep the air in your home moist.
Apply cool clothes to itchy, dry skin.
Use an all-natural lip balm for chapped lips.
Keep skin covered outdoors in winter. Use a scarf and gloves.

Lifestyle And Home Measures

These additional measures will also protect and help minimize dry skin and associated damage:

With showers and baths, close the bathroom door.
Apply a botanical moisturizer 2 times a day –in the morning and evening.
Avoid skin products that contain alcohol, fragrance, retinoids, or alpha-hydroxy acid. Click here to read our free report, "The Poisons You Put On Your Face Everyday" to make sure you're avoiding all of the potentially harmful chemicals that are out there.
Wear gloves in cold water, to perform tasks that require getting your hands wet, or get chemicals, greases and other substances on your hands.
Choose fabrics that are soft, smooth, and non-irritating. Cotton and silk are natural fibers, gentle on skin. Wool is irritating even to normal skin. Use detergents without dyes or perfumes.

Your Questions About Dry Skin Answered

How come I got stuck with dry skin? Dry skin is often an inherited condition. You can blame your parents for your dry skin.

My skin feels like I have rough goose bumps. What's that? That is a common condition called keratosis pilaris. It's harmless and will usually start disappearing in adolescence. It can be treated with exfoiliant creams and vitamin A topical preparations.

My skin is dry, but I have bad acne. How can that be? It's common to have both conditions at the same time. The flakes of dry skin can plug the oil glands on your face, making acne worse. Dry acne can be treated with benzoyl peroxide to oxygenate cells, as well natural and hydrating botanicals and moisturizers to combat dryness and prevent further breakouts. A common misconception is that those with acne should not use a moisturizer out of fear it may cause more breakouts. However, by not using one your skin will continue to overproduce oil to make up for the lack of moisture, in turn causing more breakouts.

Dry skin products are expensive. Are there any inexpensive products? There are some all-natural skin care products that end up costing about the same or even less than some of the brands you see at Wal-Mart – and without the potentially harmful chemicals.

How do I pick a lotion? There's a million of them! Start by avoiding potentially harmful chemicals. These substances are in most commercial products found in retail stores and supermarkets. You don't need to spend a lot of money. Use something that is thick and has oils as a base, not a water-based product. Products with the right natural oils as a base work in harmony with your skin's natural oils to keep your skin hydrated and smooth. Make sure the ingredients are botanical and all-natural.

Why is dry skin worse in the winter? Any kind of heating: central, wood-burning stove, space heaters, all dry out the air. Use a humidifier or vaporizer to put more moisture into the air.

My skin has dry flakes that look like rectangles. What's that? There is a type of dry skin called ichthyosis. It can be harder to control than the more common types of dry skin.

Will I "grow out" of having dry skin? It may improve through the teen and young adult years, but probably won't go away completely. By the age of 40, most people benefit from using moisturizing products.

My skin is so itchy that I'm miserable. What can I do? You can buy a mild hydrocortisone cream (0.1%) and use it sparingly. If the itching interferes with sleep or daily activities, see your doctor.

Are there any pills I can take for dry skin? No. The only treatments available are all applied directly on the skin. Be aware, though, of drinking enough fluid for good health.

Article Written By Sheila M. Krishna M.D., FAAD

Dr. Krishna is a board certified dermatologist. She received her undergraduate degree at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology where she double majored in biology and foreign languages and graduated with Phi Beta Kappa honors. She is fluent in both English and Spanish. Dr. Krishna received her medical degree at the David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, where she was a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society. She completed her dermatology residency at the Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia, and she served as Chief Resident in the Department of Dermatology. She completed an additional research year at UCLA with Dr. Lloyd Miller, where she gained expertise in research methods and protocol design and execution. Dr. Krishna is a Fellow of both the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) and the American Society for Mohs Surgery (ASMS). Dr. Krishna practices in San Diego, California where she treats adults and children for skin conditions. Dr. Krishna was selected as a Top Doctor by her peers in San Diego in 2017. Website - https://www.sheilakrishnamd.com/

Article Reviewed By Natalia Kerr, Licensed Esthetician/Facial Specialist

Natalia Kerr is a licensed esthetician/facial specialist. She graduated from Orange Technical College in 2019 with her diploma in Facial Specialty. She is passionate about skincare and skin health, and has continued her education since graduation by attending various seminars, trainings, and trade shows. She struggled with acne for many years throughout her middle and high school years, and knows the damage to self-confidence that comes with it. This inspired her journey into the world of skincare, and she currently owns and practices at Skin by Natalia in Orlando, Florida. Website - https://skin-by-natalia.square.site/

More information For The Public

American Academy of Dermatology:

1) Dry Skin.

2) Dermatologists top ten tips for relieving dry skin.

References

1) American Academy of Dermatology. Dry skin. Accessed July 1, 2013

2) Mayo Clinic: