- Cold, wind, rain and low humidity. Environmental factors such as these cannot really be avoided, but there is one way which can really help keep your skin from drying so much. People are seldom aware how much central heating within their homes can dry their skin. Air humidifiers within the home during the winter months of central heating usage help to stop this from happening so much.
- Exposure to the sun: Exposure to the sun is another cause of dry skin. It is highly important to use a very high factor sun cream to prevent skin from burning and becoming dry.
- Excessive / Bad washing and skincare practices. When a person sees they have dry skin, their first thought can often be to apply water, to moisturise it. What this in fact does is wash away the protective sebum layer from the skin leaving the skin exposed to further damage. The way to moisturise your skin is to use a proper moisturiser regularly, but particularly after skin-damaging practices such as shaving or washing. Washing too frequently (i.e.: more than once a day) and using hot water as opposed to lukewarm water will dry your skin out. Using a flannel or loafer which scrub the skin will also remove more sebum and cause more harm than good, as will wiping or rubbing the body dry with a towel after bathing, as opposed to dabbing.
- Vitamin A, B, C and Sulphur Deficiency. Most people consume lower than recommended levels of all vitamins, and could do with taking vitamin supplements. Vitamin A, B and C supplements will help the skin grow healthy, as will foods which contain sulphur such as onions and garlic.
- Underlying illnesses. In addition to chronic skin complaints such as eczema, sometimes people whom have diabetes or under-active thyroid glands develop dry skin as a symptom. In these cases, the illness or ailment itself must be treated to minimise symptoms as well as a good skin care practice.
- Aging. As a person gets older, their sebum production levels can drop, leaving their skin exposed to damage. The aforementioned skin practices will be more important to maintain healthy skin as a person gets older.
