Dry Skin Causes, Symptoms and Solutions

This website serves the purpose of providing general information and does not in any way replace medical or specialist advice. Consult a healthcare practitioner if symptoms worsen or persist.

The skin is one of our most important organs, as it protects us against the environment, gives us our appearance and sense of touch. However, when skin becomes dry, it can feel rough and tight, or even become chapped or itchy, and its ability to function properly becomes compromised.

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

Dryness is a leading cause of skin complaints

A lack of moisture within the skin can present in different ways, ranging from typical roughness, scaling, and small cracks to redness, inflammation, constant tightness and itching. However, this will differ depending on the severity and location of dryness.

Symptoms of dry skin
Initially, when the skin first begins to lose moisture, the skin feels:

Tight
Rough

Symptoms of very dry skin
If the dryness is not treated, and the skin loses further moisture, the skin becomes:

Very tight
Scaly
Chapped
Itchy

Symptoms of rough and cracked skin
Certain areas of the body, particularly hands, feet, elbows and knees are prone to:

Extreme tightness
Extreme roughness
Skin cracks or fissures
Intense itching

Illustration of dry skin — There are several internal and external factors to dry facial skin, all of which contribute to the same skin dehydration process.

Close-up from dry skin — Hands tend to become dry as they are washed frequently.

Dry facial skin
Dry skin on the face is particularly uncomfortable, and may lead to premature ageing. The dryness usually appears on the cheeks/jowls and around the eyes. The lips often also become dry, especially in winter.

Dry skin on the body
Dry skin on the body most frequently occurs first on the feet and shins, as these areas have less sebum glands and are often more exposed to the environment, although it can occur anywhere on the body.

Dry skin can also be related to certain diseases

Xerosis is the medical term for dry skin. It comes from Greek; ‘Xero’, means ‘dry’, and ‘osis’ means ‘disease’.

Atopic Dermatitis and Psoriasis are also linked to dryness, although these conditions have a genetic disposition and can show other symptoms like inflammation and intensive itchiness.

Metabolic conditions such as, diabetes mellitus and kidney diseases can also have an influence on skin moisture content and may be accompanied by severe skin dryness.

Close-up from red and dry skin with plaques — Some diseases, such as Atopic Dermatitis or Psoriasis are linked to dry skin.

The relation between dry, sensitive and hypersensitive

Dry skin is usually sensitive, and might react with irritation if in contact with harsh detergents, soaps or unsuited cosmetic products. When the skin’s barrier function is disturbed, allergens, irritants, pollutants and microorganism can penetrate the skin more easily.

Sensitive skin is not always related to dryness. In either case, it is important to avoid skin care products that contain irritating ingredients such as perfumes and colourants. Always check that the product is dermatologically tested on sensitive skin. Read more about sensitive skin in general or specifically on face or body.

Women washing her face with water — Avoid washing with harsh soaps - as dry skin can be sensitive, parabens, colorants and perfumes might be irritating.

Woman touching her face — Unlike many skin conditions hypersensitive facial skin can have no visible signs despite being intensely uncomfortable for sufferers.

If you are worried or unsure about your symptoms, or they are becoming worse, we recommend you see your doctor or dermatologist for a face-to-face consultation.

If you need further information to help you identify the cause of your skin complaint, and which treatment route to take, the skin test may be a useful diagnostic tool.

CAUSES & TRIGGERS

What causes dry skin?

Dry skin is caused by both exogenous (external) and endogenous (internal) factors. A person may be affected by more than one of these factors, and the severity of dry skin will increase with the number of compounding causes. An understanding of which factors influence dry skin will help with the prevention and treatment of dry skin.

The evaporation of moisture and important substances that trap and bind moisture in the skin is due to a deficiency in these hygroscopic (water-binding) substances, which occur naturally in the skin (natural moisturizing factors, NMFs).

The first step in the moisture loss process is the loss of surface lipids that form a natural barrier on the skin to prevent water evaporation.

Once this lipid barrier is broken, moisture can evaporate and the vital moisture-binding substances are easily washed out. As these natural moisturizing factors are missing, the skin cannot hold as much water and becomes dry. If this condition persists, the moisture networks in the deeper layers of the skin can become compromised, reducing the natural upward flow of moisture into the upper layers, resulting in very dry skin.

Illustration of natural moisture factors evaporating out through the skin — When skin´s natural barrier function is compromised, moisture can more easily evaporate, leaving the skin dry, tight and rough.

Illustration of limited number of Aquaporins. — Skin´s reduced moisture level due to a limited number of Aquaporins.

External triggers

External triggers compromise the natural skin barrier, thereby initiating the moisture-loss process.

The main external triggers are:

Environmental

Harsh weather conditions - hot, cold and dry air.
Seasonal changes - signs of dry skin often worsen during either the winter or summer.
Ultraviolet (UV) light can increase the rate of skin ageing, and skin becomes more prone to dryness as it ages. Read more about age-induced dryness.

Skin care

Frequent washing, or long, hot baths or showers, removes the lipids that make up the skin barrier.
Inappropriate skin care routine – It is important to follow a routine, and use products, that are suitable for dry skin. It is especially important not to use strong soaps that strip away natural skin lipids.

Medication
Certain medications and medical treatments (as radiation therapy, dialysis or chemotherapy) are known to cause dry skin as a side effect. Medications that control blood pressure, known as diuretics, are known to have this side effect.

Woman protecting her face from sun — UV rays can lead to skin ageing and consequential to skin dryness.

Woman eating pill — Some medication can lead to dry skin.

Always check with a doctor or pharmacist if you are concerned a medication may contribute to dry skin.

Internal factors

Genetic influences
Moisture levels in the skin are partly determined by genetics. Some people are genetically predisposed, and inherit a tendency for dry skin. Under identical conditions, different people will have different skin types. Fair-skinned individuals seem to be more prone to dry skin than people with darker complexions.

Hormonal influences
Hormonal changes, such as pregnancy or menopause, can result in skin becoming dry.

Age
As people get older their skin’s ability to produce sweat and lipids is decreased due to the reduction in the function of sebaceous and sweat glands in the skin. Dry skin and ageing are interrelated, and can form a vicious cycle. Read more about age-induced dryness.

Diet
A lack of nutrients, unsaturated fatty acids and vitamins can contribute to dry skin. Vitamin C and E are also involved in maintaining healthy skin.
Read more about factors that influence skin.

Baby in mothers arm — Sometimes babies are affected due to their genetic predisposition. They can develop skin diseases e.g. like atopic eczema with the main symptoms itchiness and dry skin.

Elderly woman´s face — As skin ages, its elasticity and density reduces and skin looses its youthful look.

SOLUTIONS

What solutions are there for dry skin?

Cleansing dry skin

Cleansing dry facial skin
Mild cleansing of the face is particularly important as the use of unsuited products can increase dryness, which can contribute to the premature development of fine lines and wrinkles. Eucerin Complete Repair Cleanser gently cleanses & supports the skin’s pH balance to repair dry skin. Read more about an appropriate face care routine.

Woman wrapped in towel — Reduce the time spent in hot water by having quick showers instead of long baths.

Woman applying cream with cotton pad — Avoid skin care products with irritating alcohols, colourants or perfumes.

Moisturizing dry skin

Ideally, moisturizers for dry skin should contain ingredients such as:

Urea and Lactate that replenish missing natural moisturizing factors, which help to bind moisture in the upper layer of the skin. The minimum recommended concentration of Urea should be 5%. Very dry skin generally requires a higher concentration of Urea and other moisturizing factors. The Eucerin Urea range contains a range of 5% and 10% Urea lotions, creams and lotions, with products specially formulated for face, hands, feet and body.
Gluco-glycerol and Ceramide-3 help to replenishg and protect the skin's natural moisture barrier. Eucerin Complete Repair Moisturizing Lotion 5% Urea and Eucerin Complete Repair Intensive Lotion 10% Urea both contain Gluco-glycerol, Urea and Ceramide-3.

Woman applying cream on her body — To avoid skin´s moisture loss it is essential to use moisturizing skin care on a regular base.

Woman touching her left cheek with hand — Appropriate skin care for dry skin should contain ingredients, such as Urea, Gluco-glycerol or Ceramide-3.

If you are worried or unsure which treatment route to take, we recommend you see your doctor or dermatologist for a face-to-face consultation.

Avoiding contributing factors

In addition to having a good cleansing and moisturizing routine, avoiding factors that contribute to dry skin is important. This will help to reduce the impact of dry skin and the need for treatment:

Avoid dry air by spending less time outdoors in hot and cold weather, and by using a humidifier indoors when the heating is on.
Reduce the time spent in hot water by having quick showers instead of long baths.
Using gloves when washing dishes will help to avoid hot water and strong detergents.
Wear clothes made of natural materials like cotton and silk that do not irritate the skin. Wool is natural but can irritate, so direct contact should be avoided.
Try to use a clothes detergent without dyes or perfumes, as these can remain on the clothes after washing and irritate dry skin.
Use care products without alcohols, perfumes and colourants to avoid irritation.
Ensure that you drink adequate amounts of fluids.

Woman in bath top — Moisturizing bath additives might help to restore skin´s natural protective barrier.

Woman wearing cotton sweater — Some clothes detergents include perfumes or dyes – try to avoid using them, as they might irritate dry skin.

This website serves the purpose of providing general information and does not in any way replace medical or specialist advice. Consult a healthcare practitioner if symptoms worsen or persist.