Causes of Dry Skin: Why Your Skin Feels Tight and Flaky

There are a plethora of reasons why you might be experiencing dry skin. Factors such as your age, medical history and changing seasons could all be reasons for dry skin. To learn more about the causes of dry skin, how to deal with dry skin on the face and dehydration in skin continue reading the article below.

Keynotes:

• Your lifestyle can directly affect the texture of your skin.
• The weather in the place you live affects your skin. Living in a cold environment could cause dry skin.
• Medical conditions like eczema, psoriasis and thyroid issues affect your skin and cause it to get dry excessively.
• You can identify dry skin if you notice itching, irritation or flakiness that is constant.

Of all the reasons you could have dry skin, the environment you live in is one of them. The environment you live in can also cause dehydration in skin. It can affect your skin’s hydration. Harsh environments, especially desert-like climate or cold climate with heavy wind, are major causes of dry skin. Dry skin could also potentially worsen during the winter months. Skin that feels tight can also just be a seasonal affair. It is possible that you may only experience it during winter. Although it is important to note that dry skin can occur all year round.

Cold Weather, Wind, and Indoor Heating

The causes of dry skin are aplenty. You may experience dry skin due to factors such as wood-burning stoves, fireplaces, space heaters and central heating, as they all reduce humidity if you are living in a cold, windy environment or places with low humidity.

Eucerin has products that are good for people with dry skin. Products such as Anti-Pigment Dual Serum, Anti-Pigment Night Care and Sun Face Hydro Protect Ultra-Light Fluid SPF50+ are some of the products you can use to help you with your skincare journey.

There are certain lifestyle changes that can help prevent and relieve dry skin. Something as simple and significant as altering your lifestyle can save you from having to deal with dry skin. So, if you have ever caught yourself asking the question, ‘How to deal with dry skin on face’, then learn the answer below:

Hot Showers, Harsh Soaps, and Over-Exfoliating

Hot showers are one of the reasons for dry skin. Make sure you avoid using hot water when taking a bath or showering. While you’re at it, keep your showering time to less than 10 minutes. Steer clear of soaps that are harsh on your skin. A moisturising soap is better for your skin. Exfoliating is a healthy practice for your skin but don’t overdo it. You should gently pat your skin dry with a soft towel as opposed to rubbing it roughly. Along with that, you should resist the urge to scrub and itch dry skin patches.

Medical conditions are also one of the causes of dry skin. A medical examiner can determine whether or not you have dry skin by merely looking at it. They may further evaluate your situation by having you undertake a physical examination and checking out your medical history. By taking a closer look at your symptoms, they will be able to better guide you.

Eczema, Psoriasis, and Thyroid Issues

People who suffer from medical conditions like psoriasis, eczema or thyroid disease are likely to suffer from dry skin. These skin conditions are known to bring out excessive dry skin in someone who is diagnosed with them.

Eczema which is also known as atopic dermatitis, is a chronic skin condition. If you have eczema, you will notice dry patches on your skin. Younger children commonly get eczema. Meanwhile, psoriasis, another skin condition, can cause your skin to get very dry. People who struggle with hypothyroidism, malnutrition or diabetes are also prone to excessive dry skin.

There are ways in which you can identify if you have dry skin. Some of these include noticing if your skin looks inflamed or has become painful. You might also notice open sores or infections that have resulted from scratching. If you have large expenses of peeling skin, it could indicate that you have dry skin. If you go about your day feeling uncomfortable in your skin or if you find yourself constantly distracted from your daily routine, then your skin problems may need an expert evaluation. If you notice that the texture of your skin is rough or flaky, itches considerably, or is riddled with infections, it could indicate that you have dry skin. You can also take a look at Eucerin’s website for a wide range of products that could help you remedy dry skin.

If you are plagued by dry skin, you can resort to altering your lifestyle and take preventative measures to help you deal with the issue. However, if the reasons for dry skin go beyond your comprehension, then you must reach out to a dermatologist so the matter can be resolved immediately. Make sure you do not self-medicate or try treating yourself at home. The objective of this article was to help you find the answer to, ‘how to deal with dry skin?’. If you feel you have gained from having read this article, be sure to pass it on to a loved one.

1. What are the most common causes of dry skin?

   Some of the most common causes of dry skin are factors such as a person’s lifestyle, environment, climate, hot water baths, etc. Apart from these, you could also have dry skin due to medical conditions such as eczema, psoriasis or thyroid-related problems.

2. Can hard water cause dry skin?

   Yes, hard water can absolutely be one of the causes of dry skin. The minerals present in the hard water can affect the pH balance of your skin, weakening it. This invites bacteria and infection. People with eczema are more likely to be affected.

3. Does aging contribute to dry skin?

   Yes, it does. Ageing is one of the reasons for dry skin. As a person ages, the skin produces less oil. These oils are essential for the skin so it can retain water. This causes the fat and collagen in the skin to decrease. Also, if a person is more than 60 years old, it is common for them to have dry skin.

4. How can I tell if my skincare products are making my skin dry?

   Using certain scented soaps and harsh cleaning products can be one of the many causes of dry skin on your face. If you notice that certain products are causing your skin to get flaky, itchy or dry, then chances are those products are drying out your skin.

• Hard Water vs. Soft Water: Which One Is Healthier? - Healthline
• Dry skin – Mayo Clinic
• What Causes Dry Skin and How to Treat It - Healthline
• Dry Skin - Cleveland Clinic