Dry skin is common among people, but it can be treated with help from your doctor and essential daily care.
Dry skin is common among many people, which generates a lot of complaints in dermatological offices. Skin dehydration is the cause of dryness. So, when the skin is itchy, peeling, sensitive, tight or has a different color and texture, it’s time to take action.
The skin is the largest organ in the body, which gives our appearance and protects other organs and systems. To understand how dry skin becomes, we first need to know that it needs water and a certain amount of oil to stay healthy. Therefore, when these two vital ingredients are missing, we notice dryness.
How does the skin get dry?
There are many causes that lead to dry skin on the body. From environmental factors to lack of skin care, there are medical conditions such as dermatitis and psoriasis. It is important to seek medical help to be sure what is happening to your skin health.
The skin protects our body from everything outside it, but as a result it is subject to various external and internal agents that promote water and oil loss. This happens when the skin’s protective barrier of vital lipids (fat) has been disrupted for some reason. Therefore, it is necessary to understand what these factors and agents are to choose the best care.
External factors
External factors that make the skin dry are those that are not the “fault” of our internal organism, as it only reacts to the influences.
1 – Climate change
The first condition is the weather conditions. When it’s too hot and dry, or too cold, the skin loses moisture and the protective barrier is affected.
2 – Seasons
With the change of seasons, the skin also adapts. In summer, the skin suffers from dehydration if the person breathes too much, meaning that water from the body is lost in this way. During winter, the drought characteristic of this season in most parts of Brazil leaves the skin less hydrated, removing essential lipids.
3 – Sunlight
Another external factor is ultraviolet sunlight (UV rays). The higher the rate of sunlight on the skin, the faster the skin ages and it becomes more prone to dryness. During the summer and between 10am and 4pm, UV rays become stronger, according to experts and meteorologists.
4 – Medicines
Many medications also cause the side effect of dry skin. The most common are those that control blood pressure. Because they are diuretics, they make people urinate more and, consequently, excrete more water from the body. Therefore, people who take these medications must drink plenty of water to replace the loss. Additionally, some antibiotics and oral medications that combat acne have the same effect.
Internal factors
Our skin is not exempt from the body’s own actions against it and they are more decisive than we imagine. Therefore, it is good to know what these internal factors are that compromise skin hydration.
1 – Genetic inheritance
Firstly, genetic issues greatly influence whether or not dry skin occurs. There are people with oily skin and others with drier skin, as they inherited these characteristics from their parents. However, an individual does not always have the same skin type as their parents.
There are skin diseases that can alter the characteristics of a person’s epidermis, which are genetically inherited. Psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, ichthyosis – a rare disease – and even diabetes mellitus. These diseases generally affect human DNA or the person is born with them and manifests them throughout their life.
2 – Hormones
Hormonal issues are also very present when it comes to dry skin. Estrogen and testosterone, if altered in the body, can cause dry skin as they alter lipid levels. This event is more noticeable with the arrival of menopause in women, as estrogen decreases its presence in the body.
During pregnancy, women may also notice drier skin, as hormone levels change all the time. Estrogen, again, is low in the bloodstream, as it should not be evident until the moment of birth.
3 – Food
Another factor that affects our skin is diet. When a person does not ingest adequate nutrients, the skin reacts, as it is also an organ. Insufficient intake of fatty acids and vitamins, especially vitamin C, compromises skin health and hydration.
4 – Age
Age doesn’t help the skin either. As we age, the skin loses sebaceous and sweat glands, making it difficult to maintain sweat and lipids. This way, water is not retained in the skin and it becomes drier, which contributes to aging and, consequently, the dreaded wrinkles.
Moisturizing dry skin
Daily hydration is the best way to avoid dry skin. After all, do you know how to hydrate dry skin? Let’s give you some tips for everyday care.
1 – Body
First, it is always essential to keep using a moisturizing cream or lotion, in addition to moisturizing masks (for the face). These products restore the skin’s vital barrier by replenishing the skin’s lipids. Another tip is to use body oils while showering. Combined with applying the moisturizing lotion right after showering, which is when the skin is cleanest and hydrated, a better result is guaranteed.
Furthermore, as the summer and winter seasons approach, always ensure that a moisturizer is nearby, in addition to sunscreen. In summer, the skin loses more water and moisture. During winter, dry weather and hot baths do not help with hydration, as they remove fat from the skin.
2 – Feet
Creams made with urea are for deep hydration, great for dry feet, but those containing natural oil extracts are also enough for daily care.
3 – Face
Hydrating your facial skin is also important. For this region, use specific products. Do not use body creams for your face, as this area is more sensitive and naturally has more sebaceous glands, which produce oil. Ideally, the moisturizer should be light and quickly absorbed. In addition, use facial sunscreen to avoid UV rays.
4 – Hands
Another area that generally suffers from dryness is the hands, as they are a part of the body that is washed most frequently. Alcohol gel is also a great enemy of hydration and softness of your hands. Therefore, it is recommended to use a specific moisturizer for them, as well as moisturizing gloves.
If a person has red or dark spots, a strange texture and intense scaling, medical treatment should be sought first. This could be a sign of psoriasis or dermatitis, which must be treated appropriately according to the specialist’s instructions.
It is also necessary to pay attention to a healthy and balanced diet. Furthermore, avoiding fatty and oily foods, such as fried foods, is a good start.
Finally, fruits rich in water and vitamin C such as oranges, tomatoes, grapes and peaches, as well as vegetables such as cucumbers and peppers help to balance the skin’s diet. Additionally, drinking lots of water is also essential.
Sources: COTY, Eucerin, ADCOS,
Images: Pexels, Ikebana Flores, Pexels, Opas, Febrasgo, Extratos da Terra, Jornal de Brasília, Zarllor
