The epidermis contains no blood vessels, and cells in the deepest layers are nourished by diffusion from blood capillaries extending to the uppermost layers of the dermis. The dermis is tightly connected to the epidermis by a basement membrane. The dermis is the layer of skin beneath the epidermis that consists of connective tissue and cushions the body from stress and strain.



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. Forced-air furnaces may make skin even drier than it already is. Dry skin can be due to a genetic condition but it's not common.

Nutritional deficiencies, especially deficiencies of vitamin A and the B vitamins can also contribute to dry skin or result in a chronic dry skin condition that's not relieved by anything else. When the skin loses moisture it may crack and peel, or become irritated and inflamed. Dry skin happens more often in the winter when the cold air outside and heated air inside cause the humidity to be low.

Eat at least two organic apples a day while working to clear up your skin; apples are good for skin health - organic so you can eat pesticide-free skin (most of the apple pectin is in the skin), which helps with constipation too. The next time you want to have a snack, instead of junk food, help your skin - have an apple, orange, peach, pear, banana, plum, grapes, cherries, berries, cantaloupe or any other fresh fruit. Use olive oil or olive oil with fresh flaxseed oil in big, dark green salads to help your skin.

Keep baths or showers short using warm, never hot water. Avoid all products that have an alcohol base. Dry and pat your skin gently and thoroughly after a bath or shower if it's extremely dry or irritated.

Use can use bath oils and moisturizers every day, but coconut oil has the added power of healing. Use a thin layer of coconut oil under your make-up, if you wear it, to moisturize and soften your skin throughout the day. 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 more coconut oil.

Apply coconut oil to irritated or chapped lips as well; it's edible, so it's safe and so healing to the lips. If you have acne, eczema or any type of dermatitis coconut oil will treat and quickly heal these skin conditions too.

The skin is subject to constant attack from without; it can be affected by many conditions, diseases and ailments. The skin must be regularly cleaned or it'll become cracked or inflamed.

Call your doctor or naturopath when your skin feels itchy all over your body, with or without a visible rash. Make sure to call your skin doctor or dermatologist when you have any open cuts or sores from scratching that won't heal. If your dry skin lasts for a long time and is itchy or feels hot when you touch it, see your doctor.