The blood vessels in the dermis provide proper nourishment and waste removal to its own cells as well as to the epidermis. The average square inch of skin holds about 650 sweat glands, 20 blood vessels, 60,000 melanocytes, and more than a thousand nerve endings. Skin is one of the most important parts of the body - our largest organ.

Skin gets exposed to the elements, especially in winter, causing it to become even drier. Dry skin can also be caused by a deficiency of vitamin A, systemic illness, overexposure to sunlight and some medications. Serious skin complications, including a dry skin condition, can arise for people who have type 2 diabetes.

Dermatitis, contact dermatitis, eczema, seborrhea or psoriasis may cause the skin to become dry too. If you break out on the skin around your eyes, it could be the shellac in your mascara; buy mascara with no shellac like Ecco Bella's.

Eat an avocado every day; cut it up and put it in your salad or mash it up and eat it with a spoon. Get 20 to 30 minutes of sunshine each day on your arms and legs; sunshine triggers the body's production of Vitamin D3, which is essential for healthy skin. Eat high-fiber snacks like organic raw nuts, raw seeds, fresh fruit or dried fruit like organic dates and figs.

You can try using a humidifier if the air is dry and you have a severe skin condition. For any skin condition, it's always better to take a natural approach. If you use moisturizers, use the thicker, oily-type which work better for dry skin.

Apply coconut oil daily to your dry skin to heal, moisturize and soothe it. Use coconut oil to remove your makeup at night, like I do; it leaves a thin layer of oil to nourish your skin all night long; better yet, apply a thicker layer of coconut oil. If you have acne, eczema or any type of dermatitis, coconut oil is the best natural treatment and will quickly heal these skin conditions too.

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, blackheads, irritations, cuts, burns, fungus, etc. Use a thin layer of coconut oil under your make-up, if you wear it, to moisturize and soften your skin all day.

The skin must be regularly cleaned or it can become cracked or inflamed. Functions of the skin are disturbed when it's not clean; it becomes easily damaged, the release of antibacterial compounds decreases and it's more prone to developing infections.

Make sure to call your skin doctor or dermatologist when you have any open cuts or sores from scratching that just won't heal. Continue using coconut oil and you'll see the benefits in good, clear skin, free of dryness and other pesky skin conditions. If you're still worried about your skin, or the problems continue, see your skin doctor.