Extremely Dry Skin - What Skin Care Regimen Should You Follow?

Dry skin is often a temporary condition you get it only in winter, for example, but it can also last a lifetime for some. Medically, it s called Xerosis or Xeroderma and other symptoms of this condition are fine lines or cracks, gray, ashy-looking skin, redness and deep cracks that may bleed. Dry skins also wrinkle earlier than oily or normal skins. Dry skin symptoms also vary according to your age, health, where you live, and the time spent outdoors. Low humidity which can be caused by overheating during the winter and air conditioning during the summer, both, contribute to dry skin and so does overexposure to the sun. You should thus protect yourself from sun exposure by using sunscreen, wearing a hat, or avoiding mid-day sun.

Many older people, that is older than 40, suffer from dry skin, particularly on their calves, elbows, and forearms. The skin feels rough and scaly and is accompanied by intense itchiness. This happens due to a loss of sweat and oil glands as you age. If you live in extremely cold, low-humidity regions or a dessert for that matter, you re more prone to dry skin, no matter what your age. Remember, anything that further dries your skin such as overuse of soaps, antiperspirants, perfumes, or hot baths will make your dryness worse. Stay away from stress, dehydration, and smoking, as they all cause dry skin.

You should reapply more oil-free moisturizer in the afternoon to give your skin more hydration. At night, clean your skin and slather on a generous amount of night cream on your dry skin to get relief from the dryness, wrinkles and fine lines. Also, drink at least two litres of water daily and apply a lip balm and a hand cream as the skin on the hands and lips dries out the earliest. Use a humidifier if the air is dry. And stay out of chlorinated pool water if you swim and ditch the drying chemical soaps and go organic for healthier skin.

Psoriasis and eczema can both give you dry skin. An inherited disease of the skin known as ichthyoses can also cause excessively dry skin. Conditions like a malfunctioning thyroid which reduces the activity of the glands that produce skin secretions can give you dry skin as well. Some medicines like retinoids for the skin as well as some antihistamines and diuretics can also result in drying of the skin as a side effect. Most cases of dry skin respond well to home remedies. But, if they don t, see your doctor especially if the dryness is accompanied by redness and you have very bad itching at night.