A dehydrated skin lacks water content in the intercelluar structure of the skin, the fluid between cells. This skin type often appears dry and dull with a rough, crepe like texture. Dehydration can affect all skin types in any age group although it is most commonly seen in dry skin types. If the moisture content is not replenished in the epidermis (upper skin layer) and dermis (middle layer of the skin), dehydration occurs. Dehydrated skin is dependent on the epidermis and dermis as the smallest change in the skin’s water content can cause the skin to become dry and cracked. This can often cause thinning of the skin which can eventually lead to the loss in the skin’s elasticity and radiance. The skin can become taut and itchy with the development of fine lines and wrinkles appearing around the eye and cheek areas.

Causes of Skin Dehydration

Depletion of body fluids often reduces the water content in the skin cells. This can usually result from excessive dieting, a severe illness, aging, glandular disturbances, drugs or the decreased activity of the sweat and sebaceous glands (oil gland) due to the aging process. As one ages, the skin naturally dries out due to evaporation through the outer layers. Aging can often reduce the storage of water held in the ground substance of the dermis thereby resulting in a dehydrated skin. Dehydration can also be caused by other external and internal factors such as:

• Excessive sun exposure
• Climate, like a humid environment and even air conditioning
• Use of perfumed or antimicrobial  soaps
• Natural tendency towards dry skin due to the skin’s water-holding capacity
• Oiliness or lack of oil
• Air or water pollution
• Severe, debilitating illness
• Certain chronic medication
• Excessive use of diuretics including caffeinated drinks and alcohol
• Smoking
• Long or excessive bathing, especially with the use of very hot water

Treatment for Dehydrated Skin

• The stimulation of blood circulation and increase in glandular activity in the dermis will aid in improving the levels of moisture. This type of stimulation includes deep and superficial massages that also increases the production of oils in the skin aiding in skin lubrication.
• Products containing an oil or cream base can improve the water balance of the skin and further increase the secretion of oils. These products include hydrating and moisturising masks with essential oils that help reduce dehydration. More oily applications also coats the skin’s surface and prevents natural water loss.
• Facial skin therapy used in conjunction with an oil mask increases the lymph flow and glandular activity. Avoid excessive or prolonged facial steaming as this can ultimately cause dehydration of the skin.
• Avoid the use of harsh soaps (perfumed or antibacterial)  as they tend to strip the skin of its natural oils leading to a further dryness of the skin
• A creamy facial cleanser will cleanse the skin leaving whilst leaving behind a thin layer of film to prevent loss of moisture
• Exfoliating the skin twice a week is sufficient to remove surface dirt without removing excess oils from the skin
• Eye gel or cream helps to nourish the delicate skin around the eye area minimizing the visibility of wrinkles will also assist with skin hydration.
• Daily moisturizing is important as the moisturizer acts as a protective barrier preventing the loss of moisture from the skin.
• A rich night cream applied daily before bed time prevents and treats the occurence of white patches of dry skin.
• Facial masks such as avocado and hot oil masks helps to hydrate and nourish the skin and reduce water loss.
• Increased intake of fluids will replenish the water lost as sweat through the skin.
• Avoid the intake of caffeinated drinks, alcohol and smoking.

Cleansing you skin and removing dirt, makeup and other impurities that clog your skin is essential. You should cleanse your skin at least twice a day with a mild, non-irritating cleanser. Your cleanser should not strip your skin of its natural oils and it should easily rinse away.

Always consider your skin type first when choosing a cleanser. A good cleanser will remove impurities without leaving residue. You should avoid cleansing with soap. This is because skin is slightly acidic and soap is alkaline. This disrupts the skin’s naturally acidic protective film.

Oil based cleansers are suitable for all skin types.

Cream cleansers will suit a dry skin.

Smooth on the cleanser and leave it for a few seconds to dissolve impurities. Then very gently wipe it off with cotton wool or damp tissue. When using a wash off cleanser you should apply it to damp skin and then remove with warm water.

Step 2 – Tone

Using a toner rehydrates, cools, nourishes and refreshes your skin. Toners remove any remaining traces of dirt, makeup or oil you cleanser may have not removed. It’s good to use a toner that is alcohol-free, as alcohol may dry your skin.

Step 3 – Exfoliate

Exfoliating gives the skin a healthy glow and gets rid of the spots that tend to make you look sallow and your skin blotchy. Exfoliants help remove dead cells that accumulate on the surface of your skin. Make sure the exfoliant is not granular so you do not damage new skin. An exfoliant can be as simple as a face cloth or as high-tech as the latest serums.

Step 4 – Moisturize

Just as the rest of you body requires hydration and nutrients, so does your skin. Your skin should be treated with a daytime moisturizer that provides a broad spectrum sunscreen daily. At night, using a more intense moisturizer helps to rebalance and normalize your skin as you sleep.

There’s no rule that says you have to use moisturizer all over your face; you may just need a light eye cream and a bit of moisturizer on your drier cheek area.

All skin has its own natural moisturizing factor that regulates water flow from the dermis to the surface. Sebum also helps by forming a barrier on the skin that prevents moisture loss. As we grow older both of these however decrease in activity and therefore we need a water regulating moisturizer. All skin types really need moisturizing twice a day.

You should be careful to choose a moisturizer to suit your skin type. For oily skins oil free formulas and oil in emulsions. Water in oil formulations suit dry normal skin.

You should always spritz your skin with water before applying moisturizer. Water plumps up the skin cells creating an even surface making lines less apparent.

There is a whole host of moisturizing lotions, creams and oils to help combat or heal dry skin. It is best to use perfume and alcohol free based moisturizing products. Use thinner moisturizing creams for in the summer and thicker creams for in the winter and Instead of using soap use moisturizing showering gel.

Such products are available at a chemist, beauty shop or for more severe cases of dry skin, consult professional advice as you may have eczema or psoriasis which requires different kind of treatment altogether.

Dry Skin – Skin Care Treatment

Self-care treatment is recognised as the best form of dry skin treatment and it is relatively inexpensive and easy to follow. Here are 10 known to help or work tips to follow:-

1) Always wash or bathe using moisturizing cleansers or shower gel and not soap as soap can strip away natural oils that your skin produces to keep skin moist and supple.

2) Always use a moisturizer on your skin during the day, thinner creams in warmer weather and thicker creams in winter.

3) Consider using moisturizer at night for in your sleep as this can exfoliate dead skin cells and keep your skin nice and moist while your body temperature is at a controlled and consistent level (through sleep).

4) Don’t scrub or rub your dry skin as this can cause skin damage and lead to bacteria and infections as well as inflammation.

5) Shower and bathe less. Yes that’s right, the less time you spend exposed to water which dilutes natural skin oils, the more moist your skin will be.

6) Don’t use hot or cold water when bathing, use warm, fresh, clean water.

7) Don’t over expose yourself to the sun’s powerful rays which can dry the skin’s natural moisturizing oils that keep your skin moist.

8) Wear loose, unabrasive clothing that doesn’t irritate your skin or rub off natural oil skin your skin produces.

9) Avoid harsh soaps, chemicals or detergents that may inflame your dry skin.

10) Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize.

Note: Before considering treatment for your dry skin condition first speak to your doctor, physician or dermatologist. Some forms of dry skin treatment may cause side effects.

There are numerous ways to care for or treat eczema, which really starts with good skin care. Always consult your doctor/physician or dermatologist first and please note that some forms of treatment can cause side effects.

The following are the most common forms of eczema treatment: -

Emollients

Emollients reduce skin water loss and prevents dry skin which is associated with eczema by preparing a seal over the infected areas. Emollients come in various forms of treatment from ointments, lotions to creams and there are literally hundreds of products so shop around. Emollients can be used to treat mild to moderate forms of eczema and can be applied directly to the skin or added to bath water for example.

Topical Steroids

Topical steroids is a prescription cream and is used to treat eczema that flares up or shows inflammation signs. Steroids act by reducing inflammation and can be used in most types of eczema, coming in 4 different strengths; mild, moderate, potent and very potent. The strength a doctor/physician may prescribe depends really on the form of your eczema, your age and the severity of it.

Oral Steroids

Again, oral steroids is a prescription medicine and is mostly used to treat severe eczema cases. Oral steroids have proved effective in combating itchy skin and inflammation and can reduce rashes very quickly.

Topical Immunomodulators

This is a new drug for eczema treatment and is a non-steroid medication with proven results in combating itchiness, inflammation and rashes. Both children and adults can use it.

Alternative Eczema Treatment

Many eczema sufferers have turned to alternative treatments to combat their condition or ease suffering and while clinically unproven, some individuals have reported success with herbal remedies, acupuncture and various other forms of treatment. Keep an open mind.

Eczema Skin Care

By taking good care of your skin in general you can ease eczema suffering or minimize the effect of eczema. Avoid spraying strong irritants such as perfumes onto or around infected skin areas. Avoid using balm creams containing lanolin as this can cause an allergic reaction in some cases.

Avoid chemicals like detergents and sudden changes in temperature of tap water. Look for trigger factors, particularly allergens from animal furs, soaps and deodorants. Treat infected areas gently with regards to cleansing, don’t use non-prescribed creams or lotions as this can trigger an allergic reaction. Always use fresh, clean water to cleanse your eczema.

Dry skin is caused by a lack of moisture or oil in the skin and is especially common during winter months when heating systems can dry up the air.

Bathing with hot water, the skin’s aging process, spending time in the sun and exposure to other factors can also lead to dry skin such as low humidity, using alcohol based lotions, using or coming into contact with certain chemicals and cleaning products, pregnancy can cause dry skin, psoriasis, eczema, contact dermatitis, fungal skin infections, heatstroke, sunstroke, hypothyroidism, uremia Ichthyosis and Vitamin A deficiency.

Inherited factors and metabolic factors like an underactive thyroid gland, or excessive weight loss are also believed to be causes of dry skin.

The skin produces a natural lubricant called sebum which keep the skin moist, supple and protects it like a layer of damp-proof or a water-proof clothing if you like. Sebum works with other natural skin producing oils to basically protect your skin from foreign substances or the element of the weather.

With dry skin however this protection breaks down resulting in moisture loss which is most common in older people but does affect younger people too as the sebum glands can be underdeveloped, especially in babies who can also suffer with dry skin.

This is a natural skin condition, it isn’t a disease or contagious and occurs in most people during their life-time. Indeed, you may already have dry skin without even noticing it.

The tell-tale signs are itchy, flaky, scaled or chapped skin and dry skin can effect most parts of the body but is usually commonplace on the arms and legs, especially around the hands, elbows, knees and feet areas. If you relatives suffer with dry skin, the chances are so will you too.

Dry Skin Cure

There is no known cure for dry skin as there are so many contributing factors, however there are a number of self care skin care procedures and dry skin products available to combat and treat dry skin.

Dry Skin Treatment

There are various forms of treatment and options open to dry skin sufferers to combat and help ease the condition.