Is your skin often flakey, rough, and itchy? While quenched for moisture, this does not mean your dry skin is unhealthy. Dry skin is a skin type that is still a healthy skin, but simply requires extra care.

However, if you have excessively dry skin, there may be an underlying condition that’s causing it. Read on below for what are the causes of dry skin.

Age

Due to hormonal changes as we age, our skin becomes drier and thinner. Make sure to eat a healthy diet rich in vitamins and minerals. Discuss with your doctor any supplements that will be beneficial for collagen and elastin loss. 

In combination with the above, exfoliating dry skin 2-3x per week followed by a hydrating body lotion can help to regain soft, supple skin again.

Climate

If you live in a region of the country that has a naturally dry climate (for example, Arizona, Nevada, or up in a mountainous area) it could leave your skin feeling sun parched.

If you live in a region of the country that’s usually windy and cold, your skin could also be affected because the air lacks moisture. 

To help your skin, wear natural and loose fabrics. Also, consider getting a humidifier for your room or the parts of your home that you spend the most time in, which will add moisture to the air and soothe your dry skin.

Swimming

Hitting the pool and doing lengths before heading out for your busy day could do wonders for your cardiovascular system, but the water could be the cause of your skin being dry. This is due to pool water being chemically treated with chlorine, which causes skin to dry out.

After getting out of the pool always rinse off in the shower using a cleansing body wash. When toweling off, only pat dry leaving some water behind and then apply your body lotion. 

Your Job

Certain jobs expose you to substances or physical tasks that cause your skin to become extremely dry. If you work in a a salon, hospital or medical facility, construction, are a teacher or child care worker, mechanic, or a job that exposes your skin to irritating chemicals - you may be at risk of OICD (Occupational Irritant Contact Dermatitis) which is a common type of hand eczema.

Symptoms of OICD include cracked and extremely dry skin. Prevention is key, so keeping a hand cream on you at work to re-apply throughout the day is beneficial. Once home, we highly recommend doing this DIY hand treatment a few times per week to keep skin soft and hydrated since dry skin is the gateway for pathogens.

Skin Condition

If your skin is dry to an excessive extent, it could be a sign of an underlying condition like psoriasis (your body’s skin cells grow too quickly) or eczema (allergic reaction or OICD). If you suspect that you might have a skin condition, it’s best to get checked by a dermatologist so that you can get the proper treatment.