Dry skin, or xerosis to use the medical term, is a common skin problem. Dry skin effects all ages but as we get older the skin retains less moisture. It can often feel tight and uncomfortable, look dull and lifeless but much can be done to bring relief.  Skin that is well hydrated skin feels good and gives a young, healthy look to the skin.

Do I have dry skin?

The mildest form of dry skin can be recognised by a feeling of slight tightness in the skin, some mild flaking and be annoying. Severe dry skin can have flaking, itching, red discolouration, severe tightness and even cracking. Dry skin can age faster as untreated dryness can lead to premature visible signs of aging.

Dry Skin – Medical Conditions

Dry skin can be part of a symptom picture for a number of underlying medical conditions, some of which can be quite serious.

An examination by a doctor is advisable if you still have chronic dry skin problems after making dietary, lifestyle and skincare regime changes. If you have dry skin that has cracked and bled, medical advice should also be sought.  Some medications that you have been advised to take can have dry skin as an unwanted side effect.

Why the skin is so important?

Skin is the primary defence system of the body and is actually classified as the largest organ of the body. If the skin is damaged in any way or becomes drier and drier until cracking in the skin occurs, there is danger that microbes can enter the skin. These microbes can enter causing bacterial and fungal infections.

Untreated dry skin can lead to dermatitis – inflammation of the skin, causing itchiness, redness and swelling and again can become open to infection, especially if it is scratched due to the itchiness. So we can see it pays to look after our skin – if you are worried about your dry skin or it is making you miserable – see your doctor.

Medical Causes

• Hypothyroidism – a low thyroid condition that can cause dry skin by reducing the amount of oil produced by the body and other symptoms such as intolerance to cold and weight gain.

• Dehydration – dry skin associated with infrequent, dark urine, headaches.

• Underweight – especially if fats have been avoided in an effort to lose weight.

• Malnutrition – linked to low oil and fatty acid intake. A healthy body and healthy skin need some oils and essential fatty acids to maintain the lipid barrier and these are some of the body’s best natural moisturisers.

• Diabetes – fluctuations in glucose levels can lead to dehydration and this also will cause the skin to dry.

• Genetic Predisposition

• Eczema and psoriasis – skin conditions that may be diagnosed.

Medications that can cause dry skin

There are a number of medications that can cause dry skin such as:

• High blood pressure medication  – diuretic action

• Allergy treatment such as antihistamines

• Retinoids used in the treatment of acne

If you notice you develop dry skin after taking a new medication, speak to your doctor.

Many cases of dry skin are easy to treat and are not a sign of more serious health conditions, but if in doubt – get it checked out.

Photographs of dry skin before treatment

Photographs of dry skin after treatment

Have a look at the ten points that are listed below and see how many apply to you.

If most or all are true for you and your skin then you can be confident your skin type is dry and follow guidelines given for dry skin.

1. The pores of the skin are small and hardly visible.
2. Skin can feel tight and dry after cleansing when no moisturiser is used.
3. Flaking and dull patches occur on your skin regularly.
4. Severe dry skin can be cracked and even bleed at times.
5. The overall look of the skin is dull and or rough looking.
6. Blemishes and acne are rarely experienced.
7. Hair can also be dry on the rest of the body and the hair can be dry as well.
8. Fine lines and wrinkles form more easily and are more visible on dry skin.
9. Dry skin often has red areas and is sensitive as well.
10. If a tissue is pressed against the skin there is no oily residue left behind.

Wrinkles – The Main Offenders

ALCOHOL

Drinking alcohol in moderation is no problem for our skins –  particularly red wine with its abundant antioxidants can be stress relieving and have some minor health benefits. In excess, alcohol is no friend to our skin, dehydrating our skin and therefore losing an adequate water and nutrient supply to the skin cells due to poor blood circulation. Overtime having dry, dehydrated skin predisposes us to wrinkle more easily.

Alcohol can also rob the body of vitamins and minerals that are essential to good health. Try to keep consumption low and rehydrate frequently when you do drink. Having a few alcohol free days a week is also advisable.

SMOKING

Smokers often have the lined faces of those many years older than them. The skin can have unhealthy pallor with characteristic deep vertical lines around the mouth and around the eyes from squinting. A greyish cast can be from lack of an adequate supply of oxygen as nicotine is a vasoconstrictor, reducing the flow of blood, nutrients and oxygen to the skin.

Vitamin C is used at a more rapid pace in smokers as the smoker’s body tries to neutralise the abundance of free radicals caused by the cigarette smoke and with less Vitamin C available collagen production also is not taking place.

The mix of chemicals in tobacco and cigarette smoke are poisonous to our body and our skin cells – so toxic that even passive smokers can suffer the same damage if their exposure is sufficiently high.

Smoking as shown in studies of identical twins also causes the skin to thin by as much as 40%. Free radical production is increased, speeding up the time that skin cells age at and breaking down the collagen and elastin that give the skin its smoothness and structure.

Obviously giving up has the most benefit to the skin but if you are unable to do this for now, skincare with antioxidants and taking anti oxidants orally will help protect your skin.

SUN

Sun is the number one cause of damage to the skin as is evidenced by the ffact that our hands and face which are constantly exposed to the elements are the first to show the signs of aging. Not only does excess exposure cause wrinkling it also causes pigmentation and skin cancer. And yes sun damage from UVA rays occurs all the year around including cloudy days in winter.

Daily application of a sun block ,avoiding unnecessary sun exposure and using skincare products with antioxidants will be helpful in prevention and helping with damage to the skin that is sometimes damage we can see like sunburn and damage that is not evident to see in the mirror but does add up over time.

FREE RADICALS

Free radicals are formed naturally in our bodies every day but rise when we are stressed, smoke or drink to excess, sunbake or live in polluted areas and ingest chemicals in our food and water.

Peroxidation is immediately triggered leading to oxidation and eventually breakdown of the cell.

Our natural defence systems are unable to cope with the onslaught of free radicals that modern life generates and working out ways to reduce this load and using skin care products with the antioxidants AC and E green tea and other antioxidants such as in skinsaviour moisturiser will help to preserve the integrity of our skin cells and the appearance of our skin.

Our bodies are losing water all the time –through evaporation, perspiration, organ function and cell processes and excretion. Add to this the water we lose through heating, cooling, flying, exercise, being in hot climatic conditions and air-conditioning and you have a large quantity of water that needs replacing on a daily basis. Heavy exertion and exercise vastly increase this loss. Some medications and illnesses cause us to lose more water than usual.

The drier our skin the more prone it is to fine line formation.

Signs of dehydration:

• Dry skin
• Fatigue
• Dry mouth
• Dry lips
• Decreased urination
• Dark coloured urine
• Loss of appetite

Seek medical help immediately if you suspect someone has severe dehydration – it can be a life threatening condition but is quickly treatable.

What to avoid:

• Exposure to the sun without adequate protection such as hats and long sleeved shirts.
• Not re hydrating adequately after exercise or exertion.
• Alcohol and caffeine are diuretic – meaning they cause us to lose water. Compensate if you drink either of these with a glass of water.
• Prolonged exposure to central heating, sitting too close to a radiator or heater.
• Air conditioning robs the air and therefore your skin of moisture.
• Windy conditions both hot and cold winds.
• Letting ourselves become thirsty – rehydrate frequently throughout the day.

What to do:

• Increase raw foods and fruit in the diet that have a high water content such as grapes, tomatoes, oranges and on.
• Increase your water intake – little and often is a good way to start if you are not used or do not like to drink large quantities of water.
• Water can be made more palatable for those people not to keen on drinking it by adding a squeeze of lemon, lime or mint. Use a small amount of fruit juice to flavour if needed.
• Change the temperature – some people find it easier to drink warm water rather than cold.
• Carry a water bottle to remind you to increase your daily intake.
• Drink frequently to avoid becoming dehydrated – especially if you are not a ‘thirsty’ person.
• Compensate water intake with water loss when doing manual labour or exercising that causes you to sweat.
• Use a humidifier or a water spritzer to keep moisture levels high in heating and air –conditioned places.
• Ensure the diet has adequate good fats such as avocado, flax seed and olive oil. Water is not the only answer to keeping our skin cells hydrated. We must have adequate good fat intake in order for our bodies to produce water for our skin cells.
• Use a moisturiser that provides the skin with long lasting hydration in order to reduce the water lost through the skin and keep the skin cells from drying out.

Rosacea (which can be pronounced as ro-zay-sha)  is a skin disease that causes redness and pimples on your nose, cheeks, chin, and forehead. Rosacea can come and go with people suffering from flare-ups. Tiny red veins can form on the face that look like a cobweb of red veins – these are permanent. People sometimes call rosacea “adult acne” because it can cause outbreaks that look like acne and often happens to us as we get older. Sometimes there can be an associated soreness of the eyes and the eyelids. Although rosacea should not affect your vision, it can cause eye problems and a doctor should be consulted if you experience any symptoms. Rosacea can cause a lot of embarrassment and discomfort for sufferers but there are things we can do to minimise flare-ups.

What causes rosacea?

There is some evidence that people with fair skin and who have a tendency to blush are more prone and that a family history can also predispose you to developing rosacea. In an attack of rosacea the blood vessels in the face expand, filling with blood and causing the face to redden. While there is no one cause for all people there are certain common triggers it would be best to avoid.  Some attacks may last minutes or in severe cases can last for days. If you can work out your own personal triggers it will help you manage your rosacea and some people find keeping a trigger diary helpful.

Some triggers include:

Exercise or heavy exertion
Exposure to the sun and wind
Alcohol
Spicy foods
Hot food and drink
Stress or anxiety
Emotional changes such as embarrassment or laughing
Hot baths and showers
Menopause
Some medications – ask your doctor

Medical help should be sought and exposure to triggers reduced as rosacea can worsen and turn into advanced rosacea where bumps on the nose and cheek area can form, giving the area a swollen, lumpy look. While there is no cure medical treatment includes antibiotic creams and drugs. Laser treatment can also help to reduce the size and number of the veins.

Prevention by avoiding triggers is an important part of learning to manage and lessen rosacea attacks.

• Cut down on food and drink that causes symptoms
• Try shorter work outs more frequently when exercising
• Have lukewarm showers and baths and keep them short
• Drink plenty of water in hot conditions
• Cool the face with a damp, cold washcloth if you become overheated.
• Keep alcohol to a minimum – it doesn’t cause rosacea but it can make it worse.
• Always hear sunscreen and a hat when outdoors
• Use a skin care regime that has products with no perfumes, colourings or fragrances that will help soothe and not irritate the skin such as skinsaviour cleanser and moisturiser.
• Skinsaviour Cream and Cleanser are specially formulated for skin that is sensitive and easily irritated.

Dry skin has a relatively low level of sebum or oil production and look parched – a result of its inability to retain moisture.  Moisturisers should be able to keep the skin hydrated all day and keep the skin supple and smooth. This is important to the function of the skin but also the feel – dry skin can feel tight and uncomfortable. Moisturising also locks in moisture and is best done after cleansing when the skin is still moist.

Avoid using any soap on the skin. Soaps and detergents can be very alkaline which also can be drying to the skin. Although the skin needs to be thoroughly clean at the end of the day to remove the build up of dirt and impurities, a creamy cleanser that will not strip the skin of its natural oils will clean gently and effectively.

Keep your dry skin well hydrated by drinking water throughout the day.  If the weather is hot or you have been exercising you will need to increase your intake.  Flying can also sap your skin of moisture – the humidity inside an aircraft can reach as low as 1% and be very hard on already dry skin..Caffeine and alcohol can also act as a diuretic and cause you to lose water so keep these to a minimum. If you live or work in buildings that are air conditioned or centrally heated you will also be losing moisture from the skin so compensate by drinking more or by having a humidifier.

If you suffer from dry skin on the body, limit the length of your showers and baths  and moisturise all over while the skin is still damp.  A traditional way to bathe dry skin that is also sensitive is to have an oatmeal bath that will soften and soothe the skin.  Try to limit the length of your bath and keep the temperature down and pat your skin dry gently.

Dry skin is a common skin type but shouldn’t be ignored as it could lead to further problems. A good skin care regime can not only help treat dry skin but may also play a preventative role in some skin conditions. Has your skin suddenly become red and inflamed? Or dry and itchy? You may have a skin condition called contact dermatitis. Untreated dry skin can result in dermatitis. Moisturisers can play an important role by helping to keep skin well hydrated and maintaining the integrity of the skin barrier, thus helping to prevent some skin conditions. Choose a moisturiser that is high in ingredients that will keep the skin hydrated all day long – try the skinsaviour range of products. Skinsaviour is especially formulated to soothe and hydrate dry skin with ingredients designed to help preserve the integrity of the skin barrier.

Severe dry skin can also be prevented by following a skin care regime for dry skin. Over time dry skin can become worse and therefore is harder to treat.  Severe dry skin can lead to cracking of the skin which makes it more prone to bacterial infections as the skins’ defence barrier is broken. Within a few minutes of having a shower or washing your face and body, smooth on a moisturiser to help lock in moisture and prevent dry skin.  Look for moisturisers that contain Shea butter, Olive Oil, Hyaluronic acid and other natural moisturising factors that soothe and fully hydrate dry skin. Keeping the skin well moisturised is also a preventative for fine line formation – the drier the skin the more the skin is prone to fine lines forming

Our skin is naturally protected by oils that keep it moist and soft. Therefore it is important to keep to minimum, external factors that we can control that strip the skin of this vital physical barrier.

Some of these factors include:

• Long hot baths and showers
• Swimming
• Cold windy weather
• Hot windy weather
• Sun exposure
• Dry saunas
• Harsh soaps and detergents
• Over cleansing
• Clothing that makes us itch
• Sun exposure
• Radiators
• Air conditioning
• Indoor heating

Many of these external factors we can regulate or keep to a minimum. Combined with a skin care regime especially formulated to deal with dry skin we find that we can easily keep our dry skin supple and smooth and looking its best, while preventing further skin problems.

Menopause is commonly connected with hot flushes and night sweats – most women are familiar with these. The lesser known problem of dry skin that commonly accompanies menopause is also a side effect of changing hormones or more specifically one hormone – estrogen. When women enter menopause and this varies widely from 40 to late fifties, the ovaries stop releasing eggs, periods cease and the production of the hormone estrogen begins to decline.

Estrogen has many functions to do with the reproductive function of a woman’s body but also stimulates the production of collagen and sebum that keeps the skin supple and well lubricated. When this declines, dry and itchy skin can begin to appear as the body also loses its ability to lock moisture in to the skin.  Not only is this noticed on the face but commonly all over the body.

Dry skin is treatable in menopause – try these ideas below to help keep your skin soft and smooth.

• Use a creamy cleanser and moisturiser that will help hydrate and lock the moisture into the skin. You need a skincare regime that has no perfumes, colourings, alcohol or soaps and detergents that may cause dry skin even drier.

• Use a sunscreen daily – even on cloudy days. Dry skin can be made worse from exposure to the sun.

• Essential fatty acids in the diet are important to focus on – omega 3’s as found in deep sea fish such as tuna, salmon and sardines. Add nuts, soy, olive and flaxseed oil to the diet on a daily basis.

• Keep showers and baths to a minimum. As pleasant as a long steamy shower can be – it is also very drying for the skin.

• Pat dry gently and apply moisturiser all over the body on a daily basis to moisturise and help prevent moisturise loss.

• Avoid soaps with too much perfume, antibacterial action or deodorant ones as they all tend to dry out the skin further.

If dry skin continues to be a problem after following a dry skin care regime, it may be time to consult a doctor or dermatologist. Most simple cases of dry skin should respond well to the suggestions above over a period of a few weeks.

Dry skin can be part of a symptom picture for a number of underlying medical conditions, some of which can be quite serious. If you have dry skin that has cracked and bled, medical advice should also be sought. Some medications that you have been advised to take can have dry skin as an unwanted side effect.

Why the skin is so important?

Skin is the primary defence system of the body and is actually classified as the largest organ of the body. If the skin is damaged in any way or becomes drier and drier until cracking in the skin occurs, there is danger that microbes can enter the skin. These microbes can enter causing bacterial and fungal infections.

Untreated dry skin can lead to dermatitis – inflammation of the skin, causing itchiness, redness and swelling and again can become open to infection, especially if it is scratched due to the itchiness. So we can see it pays to look after our skin – if you are worried about your dry skin or it is making you miserable – see your doctor.

Medical Causes

• Hypothyroidism – a low thyroid condition that can cause dry skin by reducing the amount of oil produced by the body and other symptoms such as intolerance to cold and weight gain.

• Dehydration – dry skin associated with infrequent, dark urine, headaches.

• Underweight – especially if fats have been avoided in an effort to lose weight.

• Malnutrition – linked to low oil and fatty acid intake. A healthy body and healthy skin need some oils and essential fatty acids to maintain the lipid barrier and these are some of the body’s best natural moisturisers.

• Diabetes – fluctuations in glucose levels can lead to dehydration and this also will cause the skin to dry.

• Genetic Predisposition.

• Eczema and psoriasis – skin conditions that may be diagnosed.

Medications that can cause Dry Skin

There are a number of medications that can cause dry skin such as:

• High blood pressure medication – diuretic action

• Allergy treatment such as antihistamines

• Retinoids used in the treatment of acne

If you notice you develop dry skin after taking a new medication, speak to your doctor. Many cases of dry skin are easy to treat and are not a sign of more serious health conditions, but if in doubt – get it checked out.

As we get older the skin can become drier, less supple and elastic with some degree of thinning. In part this is due to changing hormone production. The thinner skin can be susceptible to bruising and tearing while itching, cracking and scaling can all be a problem. The signs of aging become more evident on our skin with increased roughness and wrinkling and uneven pigmentation.

Care should be taken that so called age spots are checked carefully as precancerous and cancerous lesions can occur in aged and photo aged skin – if you are unsure, get your skin checked by your doctor. Age spots are more related to accumulative sun damage than due to aging.

Skin care for older skin

Your skin requires different skin care as you age. If you had oily skin when you were younger it is now this becomes a benefit more than a problem. Your skin will be less prone to dryness from aging and may well have developed less lining and wrinkling. As we grow older, our skin doesn’t produce new cells at the same pace and this reduced cell turnover rate means our skin does not have the fresh glowing look of when we were younger. Daily moisturising with a moisturiser that effectively hydrates will plump the skin cells and give a fresher look.

What to do?

• If you smoke – stop smoking and help not to accelerate the aging of your skin.

• Good nutrition is important – try to eat a healthy well balanced diet with the good oils included such as olive oil, fish oils from salmon and tuna, flaxseed oil and avocado fruit or oil. All will help to keep aging skin supple and smooth.

• Treat your skin gently with an effective moisturiser that will help provide all day hydration – hydrate your body as well, dehydration shows on the skin.

• Changing hormone production can be treated naturally with certain herbs and supplements or hormone replacement therapy can be sought through a doctor.  Balancing hormones can have a positive effect on the skin.

• Use cleansers that are creamy and have no drying ingredients such as soap and detergents.

• Sun protection is as important now as it ever was – use a sunscreen when outdoors.