Skin contains hair follicles, sweat glands, sebaceous glands, apocrine glands and blood vessels. Our skin also receives less blood flow and lower gland activity than the other organs in our body. The dermis is tightly connected to the epidermis by a basement membrane.

Dry skin can be caused by a deficiency of vitamin A, systemic illness, overexposure to sunlight or some medications. Skin gets exposed to the elements, especially in winter, causing it to become drier. When the skin loses moisture it may crack and peel, or become irritated and inflamed.

Certain drugs, including diuretics, antispasmodics, and antihistamines, can contribute to dry skin conditions; check with your pharmacist or doctor and read the drug insert - you can get one from your pharmacist. Dry skin can be due to a genetic condition but it's not common. Dry skin can also be a sign of an underactive thyroid.

Eating fruits that are red or orange in color will help improve you skin health and help to prevent acne. I can't stress enough the importance of drinking plenty of pure, filtered water - a minimum of a quart a day. Drink freshly extracted carrot juice, if you can, every day; carrot juice is an excellent cleanser for the liver, great for the skin and contains a great deal of nutrients, all beneficial for dry skin, eczema, acne, zits, pimples, blackheads, whiteheads, and other breakouts.

Try using a humidifier if the air is dry and you have a severe skin condition. Use bath oils and moisturizers, or better yet, coconut oil, daily. Keep baths or showers short using warm, never hot water.

I buy 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. When you buy coconut oil, make sure you get the kind that hasn't been refined, processed and deodorized. Use a thin layer of coconut oil under your make-up, if you wear it, to moisturize and soften your skin throughout the day.

Coconut oil is very inexpensive - a great, cheap home remedy for all skin conditions. Coconut oil is the best healing, soothing, and moisturizing treatment I've found for dry skin; in fact all types of skin conditions, skin eruptions, pimples, acne, milia, irritations, cuts, burns, fungus, etc.

Many skin conditions can be converted into clear, healthy skin by using natural home remedies. The skin must be regularly cleaned or it'll become cracked or inflamed.

Continue using coconut oil and you'll see the benefits in good, clear skin, free of dryness and other skin conditions. If nothing seems to work it might be more than dry skin, so you should see your doctor. Call your skin doctor if dryness and itching are preventing you from sleeping.