Dry skin (known medically as xerosis) is one of the most common skin complaints. It can leave your skin feeling tight, rough, flaky, or itchy, and it tends to get worse in winter. The good news: in most cases, a few simple habit changes make a big difference.

What Causes Dry Skin?

Dry skin happens when your skin doesn’t hold enough moisture or doesn’t produce enough natural oils to protect itself. The causes usually fall into two groups.

External factors

• Low humidity, cold wind, and indoor heating
• Long, hot showers and baths
• Harsh soaps, detergents, and alcohol-based products
• Frequent hand washing or contact with chemicals
• Sun exposure

 

 

Internal factors

• Age: skin produces less oil as we get older
• Genetics (some people are naturally prone to dryness)
• Hormonal changes, such as those during puberty or pregnancy
• Medical conditions, including eczema (atopic dermatitis), psoriasis, diabetes, and an underactive thyroid
• Certain medications
• Smoking and heavy alcohol use

Dry Skin vs. Dehydrated Skin

These two terms are often mixed up, but they are not the same thing.

• Dry skin is a skin type (or condition) caused by a lack of oils. It usually feels rough, flaky, or tight all the time.
• Dehydrated skin lacks water, and it can happen to any skin type, even oily skin. It often looks dull and feels tight, but not necessarily flaky.

Many people have a bit of both, and the routine below helps with each.

 

Top Tips to Prevent Dry Skin

1. Moisturize every day. Apply moisturizer within a few minutes of bathing, while your skin is still slightly damp, to lock in moisture.
2. Choose the right texture. Ointments and thick creams are the most effective for very dry skin. Lotions are lighter and work better for mild dryness or warm weather.
3. Look for helpful ingredients. Humectants like glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and aloe vera draw water into the skin; plant oils such as jojoba, olive, sunflower, and soybean oil soften and nourish; butters and waxes like shea butter and beeswax seal moisture in; colloidal oatmeal helps calm itching; and vitamin E helps protect the skin barrier.
4. Take shorter, lukewarm showers. Hot water strips natural oils. Aim for 5 to 10 minutes and use lukewarm water.
5. Cleanse gently. Use a mild, fragrance-free cleanser and avoid harsh soaps and detergents.
6. Treat dry spots overnight. Apply a thick ointment to dry hands, feet, elbows, or around the nails before bed. For extra effect, wear cotton gloves or socks.
7. Reapply after washing. Moisturize your hands after every wash, and your body after every shower, bath, or swim.
8. Exfoliate gently, if at all. Once a week is plenty. Over-exfoliating damages the skin barrier and makes dryness worse.
9. Use a humidifier. Especially in winter or in air-conditioned or heated rooms.
10. Protect your skin from the sun. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) every day. Mineral sunscreens with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide are a good choice for sensitive skin.
11. Protect it from the cold. Wear gloves and a scarf outdoors, and choose soft fabrics such as cotton over scratchy wool.

 

 

Does What You Eat and Drink Affect Dry Skin?

No single food will cure or cause dry skin, and topical care matters far more than diet. Still, your overall eating habits and hydration can support healthy skin.

Helpful habits

• Drink water regularly. If you’re dehydrated, drinking more water can help. If you already drink enough, extra water won’t make a noticeable difference to your skin, so there’s no need to force it.
• Eat healthy fats. Omega-3 fatty acids (found in salmon, sardines, walnuts, flaxseed, and chia seeds) and monounsaturated fats (avocado, olive oil) support the skin barrier.
• Get enough vitamins and minerals. Vitamins A, C, and E, as well as zinc, play a role in skin health. Good sources include sweet potatoes, citrus fruits, leafy greens, nuts, seeds, oysters, and legumes.

Things to moderate

• Alcohol is a diuretic and can contribute to dehydration, which may make skin look dull and feel tight.
• Excess caffeine can have a mild diuretic effect, though moderate coffee or tea intake is generally fine.
• Smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and accelerates skin aging and dryness.

If you suspect a specific food makes your skin worse (for example, if you have eczema), keep a simple food and symptom diary and talk to a doctor or dermatologist before cutting anything out.

 

 

How Important is Water for Dry Skin?

Water is the most important nutrient for health. It is needed for virtually every bodily function, from regulating body temperature to transporting nutrients and oxygen to cells to refreshing the appearance of your skin.

Water helps regulate body temperature by absorbing heat when you are too hot and releasing heat when you are too cold. When your body is dehydrated, it is unable to cool itself as well because there is not enough water in the blood vessels near the skin’s surface.

It also helps transport nutrients and oxygen to cells by carrying them through your bloodstream. When you don’t drink enough water, your blood becomes thicker and less able to carry oxygen efficiently.

It is important to drink enough water every day, as by flushing toxins out of the body, preventing dehydration, and keeping hydrated, drinking enough water prevents skin from becoming dehydrated, dull, and dry.

The Weather and Dry Skin

The start of a new season brings about many changes for our skin. The cold weather and dry air can leave skin feeling tight, itchy, and uncomfortable.

The first thing you should do is find out what kind of skin you have. Some people are more prone to dryness than others. If you have dry skin, then you may need to moisturize more often or switch to a richer moisturizer that will better hydrate your skin.

If you have sensitive or reactive skin, then it is best to avoid any harsh ingredients that could make your symptoms worse. It is also important to change up your skincare routine as the seasons change in order to keep your face healthy and looking its best all year long!

When to Seek Professional Help

Dry skin is a common skin condition that affects many people and can be caused by many factors. It is usually managed easily and may come and go but in some cases, it may be more severe and require professional help.

If you have been experiencing dryness on your skin for long periods of time or if you have other signs such as pain, redness, scaling, or cracks then it is important to see a dermatologist or medical professional for treatment.