Dry Skin
Dry Skin: Causes, Consequences and Care
Dry skin can really be an irritating problem that may bother you throughout your life. Do not worry as there are millions like you, across the globe, who suffer from this never ending skin problem. The problem with dry skin is that it lacks the necessary moisture that is required to keep the skin soft and supple. As a result it tends to become flaky and itchy. Dry skin lacks in sebum and that is what makes it highly sensitive. You can easily determine a dry skin by its appearance. As soon as it is washed with water and a cleansing agent, it gives the feeling of being stretchy, till the time it is massaged with a moisturizer or a cream. You can identify a dry skin by its cracked and chapped exterior.
Skin can become dry due to a number of reasons, especially when it is exposed to extreme weather conditions like chilly winds and heat and often due to continuous exposure of the skin to air conditioners. The main reason due to which the skin becomes dry is the fact that the oil glands produce a lesser quantity of sebum that is required to lubricate the skin. This is the reason why the skin becomes devoid of moisture. It is not that dry skin occurs only as a result of external factors. At times the condition is genetic or hereditary. A deficiency in some of the important nutrients like Vitamin A and Vitamin B can result in the dryness of skin.
Often people who have just recovered from dermatological problems like seborrhea, dermatitis, psoriasis and eczema complain of a dry skin. If you are into too much of make up and use of cosmetics, your skin tends to become dry after a certain period of time. If you use a soap that is harsh, then it will eat away the moisture of your skin after wash.
You may not realize, but often a dry skin is indicative of an underactive thyroid or hypothyroidism. It may lead to a number of problems, especially for those who have been diagnosed with diabetes. Some of the medication that you take like antihistamines, diuretics and antispasmodics also contribute to the dryness of the skin.
Dry skin manifests itself in a number of ways. People with dry skin exhibit early signs of ageing as wrinkles and fine lines make themselves visible quite early. So if you witness the tendencies of dry skin, it is a sign that you need to take adequate and proper care of your skin from an early age.
Since water tends to dry the skin, it does not mean that cleansing is not necessary for dry skin. On the contrary, it requires a lot of cleansing. Instead of using regular or warm water, you can make use of mineral water to clean your skin. Use a face wash or a mild cleansing solution to clean your face instead of soaps. Soaps have a high PH and alkaline content which does not serve the cause of a dry skin. However, do not make use of a rough cloth to wipe your face. Next, you need to massage your skin well with a moisturizer or cream.
To aid the cause of a good skin, you should work not only the outside but also on the inside. For that you need to eat right. Increase quantity of fresh fruits and vegetables in your day to day diet. These supply the vitamins naturally to your system.
Take sufficient care of your skin and you will gradually discover that your dry skin ceases to be less problematic than it was ever before.
