Temporary or permanent? Dry skin occurs in both forms. In the case of a temporary phenomenon, it is often caused by external influences or temporary stress situations. If this condition persists over long periods of time, the cause is more serious. But what are the possible causes?

The skin is one of the most sensitive organs in the body and there are many possible causes of dry skin. Research into the causes is essential in order to combat this problem in a targeted manner. In many cases, simple measures such as increased hydration are sufficient, in other cases the causes lie deeper. An appropriate skin care regimen is also recommended. Facial cleansers with salicylic acid and other skin care products provide valuable help.

Proper care for dry skin

When people suffer from dry skin, the level of suffering is high. The skin is tight and itchy, which is an unpleasant feeling and puts a strain on the psyche. The visual impairments also have a negative effect on the psyche. This is why those affected want to quickly reduce the tangible and visible consequences of dry skin. Various care tips and care products have proven their worth in practice.

Body and skin care can help, but it can also do harm. One of the most important skin care tips is to avoid certain skin care products! Soaps with a high pH value exacerbate the problem. Experts recommend consistently using mild soaps, shower gels and the like. Suitable care products are non-alkaline. These pH-neutral products support the skin's protective acid mantle and protect against moisture loss.

Experts also warn against conventional peelings. Ordinary scrubs put additional stress on dry skin. Ideally, those affected should avoid these exfoliants and limit themselves to skin care products that alleviate the symptoms. Appropriate facial cleansers have proven to be effective. Many products contain the active ingredient salicylic acid, which is used to treat incipient acne and dandruff, among other things. This active ingredient has a horn-dissolving, anti-inflammatory and slightly antimicrobial effect. It is important that those affected use products containing salicylic acid in the optimum dosage and frequency. This depends on the type of complaint and the type of care product. For mild acne, facial cleansers with a low salicylic acid content are sufficient and should be used once or twice a day. Users use a cotton pad or cotton ball and apply the cleanser in a thin layer.

In combination with a moisturizing, replenishing cream, dry skin can be overcome or minimized to a tolerable level within a reasonable period of time. This applies at least in the case of corresponding causes such as external influences. A visit to the doctor may also be necessary.

Causes of temporarily or permanently dry skin

Anyone dealing with dry skin will come across a variety of possible causes. These can be divided into external and internal factors. In the case of external factors, cold or heat usually play the decisive role. Both extremes cause dry skin. Most people are familiar with this phenomenon from winter: You leave the house in sub-zero temperatures and return with chapped hand and facial skin. Many people underestimate the fact that this problem can also occur if the sun's rays are too intense. At best, those affected dress warmly in winter and avoid prolonged sunbathing in summer.

However, dry skin is often caused by internal factors of various kinds. For example, this annoyance can be caused by an incorrect diet and a lifestyle that is harmful to health. The classic mistake is that those affected drink too little. Those who do not drink enough fluids provoke dry skin. An unbalanced diet also increases the risk. Smoking and excessive alcohol consumption are also significant sources of risk. The good news is that all of these risk factors can be eliminated and dry skin recovers quickly after a change.

It becomes more difficult if there are underlying psychological reasons. These can be stress or mental illnesses such as depression. If the dry skin is due to stress, countermeasures are recommended to reduce the stress level. These include regular exercise, meditation and other proven means of relaxation. In the case of mental illness, it is advisable to seek advice from the psychiatrists, psychotherapists and doctors treating you.

Dry skin can also be the result of serious illnesses such as diabetes mellitus. Another possibility is that those affected suffer from a skin disease such as neurodermatitis. Although care and behavioral tips can reduce the extent of dry skin, they cannot solve the skin problem. Anyone who experiences persistent dry skin should see a doctor. This visit to the doctor is also recommended in order to discover the possible presence of a serious underlying disease. The complexity of dry skin is demonstrated by the fact that drug treatments also cause these symptoms. Some medications have dry skin as a side effect: Your GP or dermatologist will also be able to advise you.

Effectively preventing dry skin

If you want to combat dry skin, the first step is to identify the cause. For example, is it a temporary or permanent phenomenon? Are external or internal factors causing this annoyance? Suitable skin care tips will help in all cases. In addition, those affected should eliminate possible causes such as stress or a lack of fluids.