Dry Skin

How can I get rid of dry skin?

Here are six straightforward steps you can take to try to alleviate dry skin:

• Cleanse your skin gently. Many soaps are harsh enough to strip the natural oils from your skin, so you will usually be better off with a gentle, hydrating cleanser formulated for dry or sensitive skin.
• Shower or bathe warm and short rather than hot and long. Hot water can feel wonderful, but it tends to strip the oil from your skin. Soaking in hot water can have a similar effect.
• Moisturise your skin. After showering, bathing, or washing, apply a moisturiser to your skin while it is still damp to trap the moisture rather than letting it evaporate. As explained earlier on this page, you may want to apply an occlusive over your moisturiser, or use a moisturiser that combines a humectant and an occlusive, to keep the moisture in your skin.
• Stay hydrated. Make sure you take in plenty of water to keep your body adequately hydrated. Drinking the water is the most obvious means of intake, but eating foods that contain a high proportion of water, such as fruits and vegetables, can make a significant contribution to your water intake.
• Use a humidifier. If your home or home office has dry air from air conditioning or central heating, use a humidifier to add some moisture to the air.
• Protect your skin from the sun, the weather, and the environment. Wear sunscreen to prevent the sun drying out your skin. In cold or windy conditions, protect your skin with gloves, a hat or balaclava, and a mask if necessary. Similarly, wear gloves and any other protection needed when working with cleaning products, tools, and so on.

Can dry skin indicate an underlying health issue?

Yes, dry skin can be a symptom of an underlying health issue. The following list shows the five leading health issues likely to be associated with dry skin.

• Diabetes. Diabetes can produce high blood sugar levels and poor circulation, which can contribute to dry skin.
• Eczema, psoriasis, or dermatitis. These three skin conditions may make your skin dry, flaky, and itchy.
• Thyroid problems. If you have hypothyroidism, a condition in which your thyroid gland is underactive and doesn’t produce the quantity of hormones you need, you may get dry skin.
• Kidney disease. If your kidneys are not able to give your body the balance of fluids and nutrients it needs, your skin may get dry.
• Nutritional deficiencies or dehydration. If your body isn’t getting enough vitamins and fatty acids, you may get dry skin. Dehydration can also cause dry skin.

Many other health issues may give you dry skin. So if your skin is persistently dry or severely dry, or if it is itchy and red, get it evaluated by a medical professional. Similarly, if you are taking medication that you suspect of making your skin dry, consult your doctor.