- Dry patches and redness are some of the symptoms that you have dry skin.
- This can be caused by many factors including UV exposure and ageing.
- Replenishing the skin’s natural vitamin A levels is one way to can combat dry skin.
Dry skin is a condition that might be common to many but not necessarily discussed on and to some extent it might not be seen as a something to stress about.
The reality is dry skin should not be taken lightly and if symptoms of severe dry skin surface then you should consider seeking treatment.
Dry patches, dehydration lines, tightness, roughness, scaly looking skin or redness and sensitivity, might be some of the signs that you have dry skin and that you need to consider treating those symptoms.
However, before treating your dry skin, you need to be aware of what may be the causes of your dry skin. Dr Ernst Eiselen from Environ Skin Care tells TRUELOVE what commonly causes dry skin is “inherited and metabolic factors, as well as environmental conditions such as heat, cold and pollution”.
The following list consists of some of the reasons why you might be suffering from dry skin:
1. Genetics
Dry skin might be a genetical condition that you were born with and that you comprise an underactive sebaceous gland from birth. This means that your skin has a deficiency of oil and it cannot retain moisture and build a protective barrier.
2. Intrinsic ageing
Age plays a role in skin as well and the older you get the more your skin barrier function is weakened, leading to a lack of moisture to your skin.
3. Medications
The medications that you consume can also lead to dry skin.
4. Lifestyle factors
Sometimes the activities we partake in and the things we consume can contribute to dry skin. The excessive intake of alcohol can be one of the lifestyle that can contribute to dry skin.
5. UV exposure
Spending large amounts of time in the sun can lead to having thick and dry sky and many other health factors.
READ MORE | Invest in footcare - 4 steps to care for dry, cracked heels
6. Extreme environmental changes
Having to adapt to weather changes in a new environment can lead to your skin losing moisture.
7. Exposure to harsh ingredients
Some chemicals used in skin products can be quite harmful to your skin and can remove the natural oils on your skin and lead to your skin being dry.
8. Over cleansing
Over cleansing is one of the quickest ways to remove natural oils from your skin and can lead to the top layer of your skin being stripped off.
9. Excessive exfoliation
Excessive exfoliation can also factor in your dry skin as it leads your skin compromised and dry.
10. Invasive treatments
You might be thinking that you are enhancing your skin with invasive treatments such as surgery, but in fact it might cause more harm then good and lead to your skin being dry.
Dr Ernst concludes by advising people who are challenged with dry skin to replenish the skin's natural vitamin A levels. There are serums that are dedicated to revitalising vitamin A.
Dr Ernst also recommends a super moisturiser to get rid of all dry skin symptoms and keep the skin moisturised.
