Dry skin: common causes and what to do

Dry skin is a relatively common problem that, in most cases, arises due to prolonged exposure to a very cold or hot environment, which ends up dehydrating the skin and leaving it drier.

However, there are also other situations that can leave your skin dry. Some are not related to any health problem, but others may be, so whenever the skin is not hydrated, even with the simplest cares such as applying a moisturizer and drinking water throughout the day, it is important to consult a doctor. dermatologist.

Here's how to make a homemade moisturizer for dry and extra dry skin.

1. Using the wrong soap

The use of inappropriate soaps, especially those that have not been dermatologically tested, can cause extreme dryness of the skin, leaving it dry and peeling. This is especially due to the pH of the soap, which may be unbalancing the skin's natural pH.

Ideally, the pH of the soap should be slightly acidic, that is, with a pH of around 5. This ensures that the skin maintains a more acidic environment, remaining healthy and free of various types of microorganisms that can cause infections.

In addition, many soaps remove all the oily layer of the skin that helps to protect against water evaporation, so if used too often, they can also contribute to dehydration and dry skin.

2. Ingestion of less than 2 liters of water

There is no ideal amount of water for everyone, as this amount varies according to each person's body, weight and even the environment in which they live. However, some recommendations indicate that an adult should drink about 2 liters of water a day to stay properly hydrated.

When this amount of water is not reached, one of the first organs to show signs of dehydration is the skin, especially in places more exposed to the environment, such as lips, hands or face. Check out how to calculate the amount of water you should drink per day.

3. Bathing with hot water

Hot water is able to remove oil from the skin which is responsible for maintaining adequate hydration. For this reason, the hotter the water and the more time you spend taking a shower, the greater the chances that your skin will lose water and end up drying out.

The ideal is always to take a quick shower and using lukewarm water, not very hot, to decrease water loss.

4. Practice swimming or water aerobics

Sports that require frequent skin contact with chlorine, such as swimming or water aerobics, for example, can also lead to skin dryness. This is because the chemicals present in the water, although they are safe for health, over time can attack the skin, leaving it drier.

Therefore, it is recommended that after being in the pool water, take a bath with lukewarm water and lightly wash the skin with a soap of its own pH, to remove excess chlorine and prevent it from continuing to dry the skin.

5. Wear synthetic fabric clothing

The ideal fabric for clothing should be natural, such as cotton, wool or linen, as it allows the skin to breathe and prevents the emergence of allergies that end up drying the skin. However, most clothes are made with large percentages of synthetic fabrics, such as polyester, acrylic or elastane, which make it difficult for the skin to breathe and make it more dry.

6. Diabetes, psoriasis or hypothyroidism

Some relatively common diseases are very likely to affect the skin and make it more dry. Some of the most frequent examples include diabetes, psoriasis or hypothyroidism. In these cases, moisturizing the skin is usually not enough, it is important to start the appropriate treatment of each disease.

Although psoriasis is easier to identify, due to the appearance of red patches on the skin that peel off, diabetes and hypothyroidism can be more difficult to diagnose. Here's how to know if you have diabetes or if you have hypothyroidism.

7. Use of some medicines

The remedies with the greatest potential to cause dehydration and lead to excessive dryness of the skin are diuretics, such as Furosemide or Hydrochlorothiazide, as they cause the excessive elimination of water from the body. Although they are important to avoid the accumulation of fluids, these remedies should not be used without the doctor's recommendation or for longer than indicated, as they can cause various side effects such as dehydration.

Other medications that can also lead to dehydration and dry skin include statins, allergy medications and other medications for high blood pressure.

8. Old age

In addition to exposure to dry, hot and cold environments, another very common cause is old age. This is because, in addition to elasticity, the skin also loses hydration over the years, especially if it has been very exposed throughout life and without proper care, such as the use of a moisturizer and water intake.

The places most affected by the natural dryness of age are usually the face, hands, elbows and knees, but dry skin can appear anywhere.

How to properly moisturize your skin

Some useful tips for moisturizing dry skin are:

• Use soap suitable for your skin type. It is not necessary to apply the soap all over the body, the ideal is to apply it only in the intimate region and in the armpits; Take quick baths for less than 5 minutes and with lukewarm water, that is, neither cold nor hot; Apply the skin moisturizer dry on the whole body up to 3 minutes after bathing; drinking at least 2 liters of water per day, fruit juice or tea; wearing clothes with cotton fabrics; only using medications under medical guidance, and if there is any disease involved treat it properly; use specific creams for regions such as hands, feet, elbows and knees.

It is important to emphasize that aging is one of the natural causes of dry or dry skin, and against this cause there is no specific treatment, being only indicated to hydrate it correctly and maintain a good water intake.

Watch the following video and see more tips for healthy skin: