Dry Skin? Here’s How To Ditch It

Every morning, you leave the house happy, moisturised, and in your lane. You have soft, dewy skin that looks plump and glows as you step out of your home. But by the time you get to work, you can already see dry skin patches on your arms and legs. In the next couple of hours, the skin on your face starts to feel flaky and stretched, as if you have been walking across a desert without protection. The cracks on your heels become more prominent, and your hands feel anything but soft and supple.

Does this sound familiar? Well, you are not alone.

Dry skin is relatively common, ranging from bumpy and patchy textures to serious medical issues. We did the research and spoke to the experts so you know what to do when face-to-face with a dry skin spell.

The most prevalent signs of dry skin include skin that appears peeled, dehydrated, and sometimes rough and scaly with some redness. At times, it can also be irritated and inflamed. According to Dr Madhuri Agarwal, founder and medical director at Yavana Aesthetics Clinic, “Dry skin can present with different symptoms and signs. The most common ones are atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, xerosis, ichthyosis, ageing skin, and contact allergies."

While these are more clinical, some of the most common symptoms include:

• Rough and flaky texture
• Visible cracks
• Burning sensation
• Redness with bouts of itching
• Wrinkled and loose texture
• Peeling

Most of these symptoms are mild and do not pose a threat, but it is advisable to contact a specialist in case of severe symptoms like bleeding, cracks, and constant pain.

While dry skin is a common complaint, the causes can range from genetics to environmental factors. At times, underlying health and medical conditions can also cause dry skin.

Dr Agarwal explains, “The main cause of the problem could be genetics or family history.  In such individuals, the skin has a weak barrier function due to genetics or external environmental factors. This makes the skin dry.”

In such cases, taking precautionary steps to avoid dry skin is crucial. “To prevent something, it's essential to understand its cause and then correct or steer clear of the factors that lead to it. Consult a dermatologist to know the correct diagnosis and cause of dry skin,” Dr Agarwal adds.

Once the diagnosis is confirmed, a good moisturising skincare routine and a healthy diet rich in proteins, omega fatty acids, and antioxidants can strengthen the skin.

According to Dr Agarwal, other causes of dry skin are age, bad lifestyle habits, excessive use of hot water, harsh soaps, pollution, certain medical conditions, and medications.

Other common factors leading to dry skin are:

• Age: As we age, the skin starts thinning and producing lesser oils as the ceramide content of the skin decreases with increasing age. Additionally, the skin’s ability to retain moisture starts diminishing after 40 years of age, leading to dry skin.
• Climate: Extreme heat, low humidity, and cold, windy conditions add to dry skin syndromes.  
• Diet: Lack of proper nutrients can also cause dry skin.
• Lifestyle and occupation: Lack of sleep, irregular sleep patterns, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, not drinking enough water, and spending long hours in a closed air-conditioned environment can also cause dry skin.
• Extreme water exposure: While long showers or baths feel good, they can lead to dry skin if they last more than 10 minutes,  especially hot showers. The same applies to swimming in chlorinated pools frequently.
• Underlying medical conditions: Diabetes and hypothyroidism are also known to cause dry skin.

Dr Agarwal shares some basic steps to keep dry skin at arm's length.

• Moisturise: Frequent, repeated, and consistent moisturising throughout the day.
• Use the right type of moisturiser: Include ceramides, shea butter, sunflower or rosehip seed oils, hyaluronic acid, squalene, oatmeal, white soft paraffin, lipid-rich oils, glycerine, lactic acid, and niacinamide.
• Understand your skin type: Different moisturisers and hydrators work for different skin types. They help hold water in the skin and increase its moisture content to keep it supple and maintain the skin barrier function.
• Add a suitable serum to your routine: Antioxidant serums are necessary to clear free radical damage and protect skin from sun spots and environmental damage.
• Make friends with sunscreen: Sunscreen is crucial as photodamage can dry out the skin faster.

Dr Agarwal recommends steering clear of these practices: 

•  Avoid harsh toners and soaps: For those with dry skin, it's best to stay away from toners and soaps containing alcohol, as they can remove essential oils from the skin and lead to dehydration.
• Remove essential oils and strong fragrances from your routine: While they feel and smell excellent, dry skin is more susceptible to reacting with these.
• Don’t look for quick fixes: Steroid creams may be quick fixes for allergies and rashes in dry skin. However, in the long run, they can lead to serious side effects and skin damage.
• Avoid hot showers: Skip the hot shower, as prolonged exposure can expedite skin drying, leading to xerotic, itchy skin. Opt for colder or lukewarm water during bath time instead.

Dry skin is fairly common and curable with easy lifestyle changes, including a good skincare routine and sustainable healthy habits. However, if you notice that the symptoms persist despite the self-care steps, then it's time to consult a specialist. Remember, early diagnosis helps establish the right course of medication and prevent more severe conditions.