Cause of Dry Facial Skin

There are many different factors which can be the cause of dry facial skin. Fortunately, many of these causes can be controlled if we understand them:

1. Poor Diet - Nutritional deficiencies, especially deficiencies of vitamin A and the B vitamins, can be the cause of dry facial skin.

• Tip #1 - Avoid alcohol and caffeine. These substances have a diuretic effect, causing the body and skin cells to lose fluids and essential minerals.

• Tip #2 - Drink more water to replenish fluids in your body.

2. Harsh Weather - In general, your skin is driest in winter when temperatures and humidity levels plummet. Winter conditions tend to make existing skin conditions worse. But the reverse may also be true if you live in desert regions, where summer temperatures can top 110 F and humidity levels sink to 10 percent or less.

• Tip #3 - As much as possible, stay out of the sun. The sun is responsible for most of the environmental damage done to the skin. It causes dryness, wrinkles, and even rashes and blisters. Always apply a good sunscreen to all exposed areas of skin if you must be in the sun.

• Tip #4 - Use sun protection on your face daily. Most unintentional sun exposure to our faces and arms occurs while we're driving in our cars. To prevent this exposure, sun protection should be part of your daily skin care routine.

3. Excessive bathing - Frequent showering or bathing, especially if you like your showers hot and your baths long, breaks down the lipid barriers in your skin. So does frequent swimming, particularly in heavily chlorinated pools.

• Tip #5 - Choose warm water over very hot water when bathing or showering.

• Tip #6 - Shower less frequently. Try showering every other day.

• Tip #7 - Do not use harsh soaps as this will dry out your skin even faster. Be sure to choose body cleansers which are gentle enough that they aren't going to dry your skin further.

• Tip #8 - Be sure to moisturize skin as soon as you exit the tub - while your skin is still damp - to lock in moisture

• Tip #9 - If you're concerned about bathing less, on shower days, use a mild body cleanser, body lotion, and body spritzer. On off days, use a body lotion and a body spritzer to help your skin feel fresh and clean.

4. Air Conditioning/Central Heating - Central air and heating, wood burning stoves, space heaters and fireplaces all draw moisture out of the air and out of your skin.

• Tip #10 - Use a humidifier (or even a pan of water placed near a radiator) to humidify your environment, especially in winter. This helps to reduce the amount of moisture lost from the skin through evaporation.

• Tip #11 - As a rule of thumb, keep your house between 68 and 75 F and use a humidifier to maintain moisture levels at 40 percent to 50 percent.

• Tip #12 - You may want to consider purchasing a humidifier that's built into your forced air heating and cooling system, especially if you have severely dehydrated skin or live in a climate that's dry year-round.

5. Medications - Certain drugs, including diuretics, antispasmodics, and antihistamines, can be the cause of dry facial skin.

• Tip #13 - Talk to your doctor to see if there are any other medical options which wouldn't be as harsh on your skin.

• Tip #14 - It is even MORE important that you take great care of your skin. Be sure to follow a good skin care routine daily.

• >Tip #15 - Use plenty of extra moisturization products on your face and body.

6. Aging - Metabolic changes that occur with normal aging also can affect the moisture content of your skin.

• Tip #16 - Again, as we age it is important to use extra moisturization products.

7. Medical conditions. If your oil glands do not supply enough lubrication to the skin, it will become dehydrated. Conditions such as dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis, or seborrhea. Dry skin can also be a sign of an underactive thyroid. And serious skin complications can arise for people with diabetes.

• Tip #17 - Talk to your doctor. There are many things you can do at home to help relieve dry skin. With certain medical conditions, however, these remedies may not be enough. If you have tried several things and see your dry skin worsening, you may need to consult a medical doctor for help.

• Tip #18 - Again, if a medical condition is worsening your dry skin, it will be important that you use extra moisturization products for relief.
  
  
  
  
  

As you can see, there are many factors which can be the cause of dry facial skin - as well as body skin. You don't have to just live with your condition. Try a few of these tips until you are able to determine which ones will work best for your situation.

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