5 Common Causes of Dry Skin
Dry skin tends to make your complexion look dull and rough. Dry skin can lead to flaky skin and itching, so it needs extra care and moisturisation to keep it healthy. Listed here are some of its more common causes:
As we get older, our skin becomes thinner and drier because of cell deterioration and hormonal changes. Because of this, it’s important to keep skin healthy by moisturising regularly in the morning and again at night.
You may want to try a face and body daily moisturiser that is fast-acting, long-lasting and clinically proven even on the toughest, extra-dry skin.
When you moisturise your face, be sure to include your neck. It’s important to keep your neck moisturised to help prevent lines and wrinkles that are more visible on dry, aging skin. It’s also not necessary to have a separate product for this area and your normal facial moisturiser should be sufficient.
Living in a country with a hot and humid climate could lead to a frequent exposure to air-conditioning. This could dry your skin out or reduce its moisture levels significantly.
To help, wear loose, natural fabrics, and consider using a humidifier in your bedroom or other areas in your home where you spend the most time in air conditioning—this will add moisture to the air and help soothe thirsty skin.
Be sure to use a moisturiser daily, making sure not to just focus on your face, but on body moisturisation as well.
Certain professions require exposure to substances or to physical tasks that can cause severely dry skin. If you work in a job such as nursing, hairdressing or other fields that expose your skin (most likely your hands) to harsh detergents or potentially irritating chemicals, you may be at risk of developing Occupational Irritant Contact Dermatitis (OICD), a common type of hand eczema condition which manifests as dry, itchy, cracked, and inflamed skin.
The symptoms of OICD can be extremely unpleasant and include severely dry skin as well as cracked skin. Prevention is better than cure, and the specific precautions will differ per job. In general, gloves and protective clothing are essential to protect the skin from further damage or irritation. It would also help to use a specially formulated gentle cleanser when washing your hands, along with a hand moisturiser like Cetaphil Intensive Moisturising Cream.
Excessively dry skin could also be a sign of an underlying skin condition such as psoriasis (where your body turns over skin cells abnormally fast) or atopic dermatitis (another form of eczema besides OICD). If you have or think you have a skin condition, do consult a doctor or dermatologist and adhere to the prescribed treatment.
