Dry skin can affect anyone regardless of age, gender or skin type and for that reason it is one of the most common skin conditions. Dry skin is the result of the lack of sufficient water in the outer layer of the dermis. The stratum corneum, the outermost layer of skin, has the job of maintaining moisture as well as minimizing contact with irritants, allergens and germs. When the stratum corneum becomes dry it can no longer serve its function as a protective barrier nor can it maintain water, causing your skin to lose moisture and become vulnerable to environmental factors. It is important to treat this condition by moisturizing dry skin in order to protect your skin's health and appearance.

What is Dry Skin?

The stratum corneum should always hold a water content of between ten and thirty percent. This moisture within the skin is what makes it smooth and flexible. This moisture is naturally drawn by the skin from its external environment as well as inner layers of skin and natural oils created by skin glands. Naturally the skin is always losing water through evaporation, yet, this happens at a very slow pace and the moisture is constantly being replaced. The onset of dry skin occurs when water replacement fails to make up for moisture loss and the stratum corneum's water content drops to below the minimal ten percent. To prevent further damage from this point on, it is necessary to proactively begin using another form of moisturizer.

Causes

The lowering of water content in the outermost dermal layer can be caused by many factors including cold dry air, long hot showers, and harsh soaps and cleansers. Even those who have a higher genetic tendency toward dry skin conditions are affected more when in contact with these factors. Low humidity environments have a drying effect on the stratum corneum while hot showers and harsh cleansers strip away natural oils. Water is evaporated from the skin as the damaged stratum corneum attracts moisture to its surface, causing water content to decrease. It is helpful to avoid these factors as well as treat with additional moisturizers in order to soothe dry skin.

Symptoms

Common symptoms are flaking, scaling, redness, itching and cracking. Rough dehydrated skin can lack smoothness and vibrancy while natural lines on the skin become more apparent. There also may be affected areas that turn red and itch or can be covered with white scales or flakes. In worst cases, the dermis is damaged more deeply than the stratum corneum and simple itching can cause the skin to crack and break open. For these reasons, it is incredibly important to treat and hydrate skin in order to avoid these harmful symptoms.

Treatment - Dry Skin Relief

So how do you treat this common condition? What products are the most effective? It may seem like you have endless possibilities for moisturizing dry skin, however, only certain products are able to effectively moisturize and treat dry skin by fulfilling a few necessary steps. A successful moisturizer most repairs the stratum corneum in order to truly provide relief from dry skin. It must also increase water content while simultaneously working to reduce water loss. And last but not least, the treatment must regenerate the skin's capacity to draw in water as well as maintain that moisture. To restore your skin to its hydrated and healthy state, a moisturizing product must effectively address and fulfill these essential steps of dry skin treatment.