Welcome 
Dry Skin, also referred to as Xeroderma, is as much of a nuisance as fruit flies! Described as rough, dehydrated skin which may cause scaling or small cracking in the skin may lead to greater conditions when not attended to properly.
But what is it exactly?
It’s caused when skin loses water too quickly and then becomes dehydrated.
Dry Skin doesn’t choose people based on male, female, rich, poor, or any of those factors – ANYONE can suffer with dry, cracked skin. There are some factors that may increase your chances of developing dry skin in more of a clinical manner.
History: Family history may play a part in whether or not you’re more likely to experience dermatitis if it’s part of your family’s skin history.
Environment: It’s most common to experience dry skin in the Fall or Winter months due to a drop in humidity. Summertime increases the levels of humidity and helps to prevent skin from losing moisture as quickly.
Age: Naturally, as you age, pores produce less oil which increases your potential to have dry skin.
Hygiene: Increased hot water bathing will dry out skin more frequently than using luke-warm or cool water to wash and cleanse.
Career: Your career environment may affect the way your skin reacts and produces moisture. If you wash or sanitize your hands frequently, alcohol-based products tend to dry out skin more so than for those that do not.
Dry Skin may occur naturally (genetically or environmentally), or may be the result of underlying health conditions.
Some common health conditions may include:
- Dermatitis (Contact dermatitis, Seborrheic Dermatitis, Atopic Dermatitis (Eczema))
- Dehydration
- Diabetes
What makes your skin go from "normal" dry skin to chronic or flaky, inflamed, and irritated?
Medications often have disclaimers that it may cause dry skin which may exacerbate already dry skin. Older age and vitamin deficiency may play a part as well. Certain diseases such as diabetes, thyroid disease, and kidney disease are well-known for causing perpetually dry skin. Intense chemotherapy affects all areas of the body and is known for being a common cause for dry, itchy skin. When the body doesn’t receive enough essential nutrients as well, anorexia and bulimia are also common causes. Normal skin function will have a moisture barrier, but when that is compromised, irritation, dryness, and inflammation may occur.
So, what does dry skin look and feel like?
Most will describe dry skin as dehydrated, flaking, rough texture, rashes, peeling, excessive itchiness. Some will also describe infections that may occur from excessive itching and scratching. Although occurring mostly during Fall and Winter months, dry skin can occur at any time the barrier is compromised.
Hope is not lost, however.
The effects of dry skin can be managed with proper skin care.
Some simple, yet effective ways to improve skin’s moisture are:
- Use luke-warm water to wash skin at the sink and while bathing. Reducing the heat temperature will ensure skin will not dehydrate faster than necessary.
- Air dry or pat dry after bathing
- Drink more water than you think you need – our bodies are made primarily of water and need more of it to sustain proper organ function – including our skin’s health.
- Add a moisture-inducing humidifier to your home
- Avoid drying alcohol-based moisturizers and cleansers that dry out the skin
- Use skin care products that contain natural ingredients such as Cocoa Butter, Shea Butter, Coconut Oil, Vitamin E, and Antioxidants
- Adding a Body Butter Bar to your shower routine will help to hydrate your skin while at its optimal time for penetration
- Exfoliate to slough off dry, patchy skin to encourage skin cell turnover with healthy, fresh skin. Using an Exfoliating Body Butter Bar with natural, Dead Sea Salt will assist in exfoliating and hydrating in one, easy step.