The average square inch of skin holds 650 sweat glands, 20 blood vessels, 60,000 melanocytes, and more than a thousand or so nerve endings. The epidermis has no blood vessels, and cells in the deepest layers are nourished by diffusion from blood capillaries extending to the uppermost layers of the dermis. Our skin also receives less blood flow and lower gland activity than the any other organ in our body.

The symptoms most associated with dry skin are: scaling, which is the visible peeling of the outer layer of skin, itching, and cracks in the skin. Environmental factors, such as exposure to sun, wind, cold, chemicals, or cosmetics, or excessive bathing with harsh soaps, can cause dry skin. Serious skin complications, including a dry skin condition, can occur in people with type 2 diabetes.

Certain drugs, including diuretics, antispasmodics, and antihistamines, can contribute to dry skin conditions; check with your pharmacist or doctor and read the drug insert - ask your pharmacist for one. Dry skin happens more often in the winter when the cold air outside and warm air inside cause the humidity to be low. And skin gets exposed to the elements, especially in winter, causing it to become drier.

Concentrating on a diet of living fruits and vegetables, and no junk food, should give you an observable improvement in your skin within 30 days. Good clear skin is usually a reflection of having a well-operating non-constipated digestive system. Drink freshly extracted carrot juice, if possible, 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 types of breakouts.

Drink plenty of pure, filtered, unchlorinated water or spring water every day; at least a quart or more. Dry and pat your skin gently and thoroughly after a bath or shower if it's extremely dry or red and irritated. Only use mild cleansers or soaps if you must use a soap or cleanser.

To see what virgin coconut oil can do for your skin fast, apply coconut oil several times a day and at bedtime. 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, eczema, milia, irritations, cuts, burns, fungus, etc. Coconut oil is very inexpensive - a great, cheap home remedy for all types of skin conditions.

You can use various bath oils and moisturizers every day, but coconut oil has the added power of healing. Apply coconut oil to irritated or chapped lips as well; it's edible, so it's safe and so healing to the lips.

Functions of the skin are disturbed when it isn't clean; it becomes more easily damaged, the release of antibacterial compounds decreases and it's more prone to develop infections. The delicate skin supports its own ecosystem of microorganisms, including yeasts and bacteria, which cannot be removed by any amount of cleaning.

If your dry skin condition lasts for a long time and is itchy or feels hot when you touch it, see your doctor. And see your doctor or naturopath when your skin feels itchy all over your body, with or without a visible rash. Usually we can take care of our dry skin without seeing our doctor, but sometimes we can't avoid it.