Dry skin is a very common skin problem and is often worse during the winter when environmental humidity is low. Your skin needs moisture to stay smooth and supple, and retaining moisture is especially difficult in winter. Chronic or severe dry skin problems may require a dermatologist's evaluation. More serious dry skin conditions, such as the inherited group of disorders called ichthyosis, can sometimes be disfiguring enough to cause psychological distress.

The dry areas may result in dermatitis, i.e. the skin becomes red and itchy. This may result in a crazy-paving appearance on the lower legs (?eczema craquel??), or round patches scattered over the trunk and limbs (a dry form of nummular dermatitis).

Causes of Most dry skin is caused by environmental exposures, such as :-

? Weather. In general, your skin is driest in winter, when temperatures and humidity levels plummet. Winter conditions also tend to make many existing skin conditions worse.

? Central heating and air conditioning. Central air and heating, wood-burning stoves, space heaters and fireplaces all reduce humidity and dry your skin.

? Hot baths and showers. Frequent showering or bathing, especially if you like the water hot and your baths long, breaks down the lipid barriers in your skin.

? Harsh soaps and detergents. Many popular soaps and detergents strip lipids and water from your skin.

? Psoriasis. This skin condition is marked by a rapid buildup of rough, dry, dead skin cells that form thick scales.

? Alcohol and drugs. Alcohol and caffeine can visibly dry your skin. Dehydration. Severe diarrhea and vomiting, a high fever, profuse sweating during exercise or simply not drinking enough liquids can cause your body to lose more fluid than you take in.

Home remedies for *Apply aloe vera gel, cod liver oil, or vitamin E oil to affected area.

Mix 2 tablespoons honey with 2 teaspoons milk. Smooth over face and throat. Leave on for 10 minutes. Rinse off with warm water.

*Make a puree of 1 banana and 1 papaya, peach or avacado. Apply to skin. Leave on for at least 20 minutes then rinse with warm water, followed by a moisturizer of natural margarine or natural vegetable oil.

*Take an ice cube and rub on your face. Then, pat dry. This helps to improve blood circulation and keeps your skin healthy.

*Boil some lemon grass in a small container of water and cool. Pour it in the ice tray and freeze. Later, rub the ice cube on your face.

*A diet consisting of a lot of Vitamin A, Vitamin B, and Vitamin E can be taken for an inner glow in the skin. Leafy vegetables help the most in replenishing the moisture in the skin. The water intake needs to increase a lot to help the body have the required amount of fluids. Fruit juices are also considered to be very helpful in softening the skin.