The dermis is the layer of skin just beneath the epidermis that consists of connective tissue and cushions the body from stress and strain. The skin contains hair follicles, sweat glands, sebaceous glands, apocrine glands and blood vessels. The blood vessels in the dermis provide nourishment and waste removal to its own cells and to the epidermis.



If you have a forced-air furnace it may make skin even drier than it already is. Serious skin complications, including a dry skin condition, can occur in people with type 2 diabetes. Dry skin can also be caused by a deficiency of vitamin A, systemic illness, overexposure to sunlight and a lot of medications.

When the oil glands don't supply enough lubrication to the skin, the skin becomes dry and dehydrated. Dry skin can also be due to a genetic condition but it's not common. Some drugs, including diuretics like Lasix, antispasmodics, and antihistamines, can contribute to dry skin conditions; check with your doctor and get a drug insert from your pharmacist.

Consider taking cod liver oil or fish oil supplements, in the liquid form, every day. Good nutrition from living foods - foods that are alive and full of energy - will help nourish your skin from the inside out. Eat at least two organic apples every day especially while working to clear up your skin; apples are good for your skin health. Eat organic so you can eat the pesticide-free skin (most of the apple pectin is in the skin), which helps with constipation too.

Only use very mild cleansers or mild soaps if you must use a soap or cleanser. Natural treatments should always be the first type of treatment to consider when you want to heal your skin and take the best care of it. For any skin condition, it is always better to take a natural approach first

I buy virgin coconut oil by the gallon; it's cheaper for a whole gallon of coconut oil than a small jar of department store, name-brand moisturizer. After a soothing bath or shower at night just before bedtime, apply a very thin layer of coconut oil over your entire body. It will even last on your skin through your shower in the morning. And use coconut oil to remove your make-up at night, like I do; it leaves a fine layer of oil to nourish your skin all night long; but better yet, apply even more coconut oil.

If you have acne, eczema or any type of skin condition coconut oil will treat and quickly heal these too. When you buy coconut oil, make sure you get the kind that hasn't been bleached, refined, processed and deodorized.

Many skin conditions can be converted into clear, healthy skin by using natural home remedies. Skin that is not clean encourages the development of pathogenic organisms; the dead cells continually slough off of the epidermis and mix with the secretions of the sweat and sebaceous glands and the dust found on the skin, to form a layer on the surface.

Usually most of us take care of dry skin without seeing our doctor, but sometimes we can't avoid it. Following some of the above natural treatments, your dry skin should be well on its way to recovery and clearing up. If you're still worried about your dry or damaged skin, or the problems persist too long, see your skin doctor.