Relief and hydration for dry skin

How to prevent dry skin

What is dry skin?

Dry skin is a very common condition that is characterised by a lack of water in the epidermis, the uppermost layer of the skin. Dry skin can appear dull, flaky or even cracked, in severe cases.

What causes dry skin?

There are many causes of dry skin, but the most common cause is associated with low humidity in the surrounding air. As a result, dry skin is generally more prevalent in colder months and drier climates.

Other triggers for dry skin include taking long, hot showers or baths, hormonal changes, over-washing or scrubbing your skin or using strong soaps, detergents, sanitizers or alcohol-based cleaning agents.

As there are many triggers for dry skin, it is important to know which triggers affect your skin so you can prevent and manage them if they occur.

Symptoms of dry skin

There are many symptoms indicative of dry skin. The most common symptoms include:

• Rough, dry patches of skin
• Sensitive skin
• Red skin
• Flaky skin
• Tight skin
• Itchy skin

Roughly 1/3 of women suffer from dry, itchy skin1. While scratching your dry skin may seem to provide some relief, it's actually breaking down the skin's protective barrier, which can allow irritants to get in and moisture to get out.

Despite the fact that most people struggle with dry skin at some point in their lives, the condition is easily manageable.

¹ Body U&A, 2009, n=1005