Is dry skin only about dehydration? First of all, let’s point out what dry skin really is. Healthy skin contains natural oils, which do their job by keeping the skin soft and lubricating the skin’s barrier. So, in combination this keeps moisture in and irritants out.

• Dry skin produces less oil than normal skin.
• Dry skin appears more dull and feels itchy and has little white flakes.
• While pores aren’t usually particularly noticeable, fine lines often are.
• Dry skin can feel tight and rough in places, especially after bathing or washing.
• It may also feel more irritated and sensitive.
• Sometimes it even may have lines and cracks.
• After you apply a moisturizer, youmay often still experience the same dry skin sensations in just a few hours.

4 possible causes of dry skin:

1. Fewer vitamins than we need. Dry skin is one of the symptoms of vitamin A deficiency.
2. Environment: prolonged exposure to cold, heat, and pollution. When your skin is without essential moisture for a long time, it feels dry, rough, and slightly worse off. If you frequently swim in chlorinated pools, you may also develop dry skin.
3. Cosmetics: artificial perfumes, harsh soaps, and other things you put on your face can upset the skin’s natural balance.
4. Disease: Dry skin is one of the symptoms of atopic dermatitis (eczema) or psoriasis. These should be treated by your doctor.

Some effective lifestyle solutions for dry skin

• Avoid using hot water, use warm or cold instead
• Limit the frequency of taking showers to every other day instead of every day
• Shorten your shower time to 10 minutes
• Say NO to drying soaps
• Use a moisturizing soap
• Don’t rub your skin when drying it
• Use a soft towel
• Don’t itch or scrub dry skin
• Use a humidifier in your home
• Drink plenty of water
• Mind your nutrition to receive sufficient nutrients
• Moisturize your skin
• In cold weather, cover as much skin as possible
• Wear rubber gloves if you’re using harsh cleansers

If you develop severe dry skin or it bothers you, or your skin is very sore, see your healthcare provider. If you have skin problems, don't leave dermatitis untreated. Otherwise, it can get worse. Early treatment will lower your risk of complications, such as open wounds from scratching and skin infections.

Keep making notes about the condition of your skin by marking MIA app beauty stickers, and learn more about your health.