Save Your Skin: Dry Skin Tips

by Helen Hecker R.N.

Symptoms most associated with Xeroderma (dry skin) are scaling, which is the visible peeling of the outer skin layer, itching and cracks in the skin.

It's easy to treat dry skin cheaply, simply, naturally, yet effective, at home. Only a lucky few have 'normal' skin; the rest of us have a dry, oily or combination variety; if dryness is your problem, read on.

Skin contains the hair follicles, sweat glands, sebaceous glands, apocrine glands and blood vessels. Skin also receives less blood flow and lower gland activity. The skin is often known as "the largest organ of the human body".

The epidermis contains no blood vessels, and cells in the deepest layers are nourished by diffusion from blood capillaries extending to the upper layers of the dermis. The epidermis can be further subdivided into the following strata (beginning with the outermost layer): corneum, lucidum (only in feet), granulosum, spinosum, and basale.

The blood vessels in the dermis provide nourishment and waste removal to its own cells as well as the epidermis.

Dermatitis, contact dermatitis, eczema, seborrhea or psoriasis may cause the skin to be dry too. Dry skin could be due to a genetic condition. Skin gets exposed to the elements especially in winter. The skin loses moisture and may crack and peel, or become irritated and inflamed.

Try mild cleansers or mild soaps if you must use a soap or cleanser. Use bath oils and moisturizers daily. Use a humidifier if the air is dry.

Fatty acids are particularly important to people with dry skin. Eat at least one organic apple with the skin on every day. Eat foods that contain essential fatty acids. Eat high-fiber snacks like raw nuts, raw seeds, and dried fruit, such as dates, and figs. The two most common, sluggish, digestion culprits that affect your skin are not enough water and not enough fiber.

Use bath oils and moisturizers, especially coconut oil, at least daily. Use coconut oil to remove your make-up at night, like I do; it leaves a fine layer of oil to nourish your skin all night long. If you also have eczema or acne, coconut oil will treat those skin conditions too. Also use a thin layer of coconut oil under your make-up to moisturize your skin all day.

Dry skin can be converted into healthy skin using natural home remedies. The skin must be regularly cleaned or it'll become cracked or inflamed. Unclean skin favors the development of pathogenic organisms - the dead cells that continually slough off of the epidermis mix with the secretions of the sweat and sebaceous glands and the dust found on the skin to form a filthy layer on its surface. 

If nothing seems to work it might be more than dry skin, so you should see the doctor. Make sure to call your dermatologist when you have any open cuts or sores from scratching that won't heal. It's time to call the doctor when all your home remedies do not relieve your dryness and itching.

copyright©2007 Helen Hecker All rights reserved.