Dry body skin

A person is an individual, but belonging to one species makes us similar. The skin of a person is his protective shell, protecting from external negative factors. But there is another side - aesthetic. Agree, it is pleasant to look at a person with healthy skin. But, as sad as it is, not everyone can boast of such skin. In this light, this part of the human body is divided into dry, oily, combination and normal. Each of them, except for the last, has its own shortcomings that require special attention. Dry skin of the body, and this article will talk about this, brings a lot of discomfort to its owner: both physical and psychological.

Causes of dry skin on the body

If the problem exists, then there is a source that provoked it. The causes of dry skin of the body are varied and include both trivial everyday and deeper internal transformations, one of the symptoms of which is a pathological deviation in the state of the epidermis.

The source of the problem under consideration may be:

• Individual characteristic, genetic predisposition.
• Insufficient daily fluid intake, which for an adult should be from one and a half to two liters. This amount of moisture not only allows you to normalize the water-salt balance, but also safely remove various toxins and other substances harmful to humans from the body.
• Age-related changes in the body. Over the years, hormonal changes in the body occur, which invariably affect the sebaceous glands that regulate the water balance in the body. This fact becomes especially noticeable after a person reaches the age of forty.
• Poor nutrition, excessive consumption of fast food products, products containing carcinogens, dyes, stabilizers and other "E"s.
• Hypoavitaminosis is a lack of vitamins and microelements. More specifically, vitamins A, E, C.
• Improper care of hands, body and face, which negatively affects the functioning of the sebaceous glands, which protect against excessive moisture loss.
• Hormonal status during menopause.
• Frequent use of cosmetics containing aggressive substances.
• Wearing low-quality (synthetic) shoes and clothing can cause allergies and disrupt heat exchange processes.
• Frequent visits to swimming pools with chlorinated water.
• Unfavorable climatic factors:
  • The scorching sun.
  • Strong gusty winds.
  • Sudden temperature changes.
  • Low humidity of atmospheric air.
• Side effect of taking certain medications.
• Costs of professional activity. For example, working in a "hot shop".
• Having bad habits.
• Frequent washing “washes out” the protective fatty film that protects the epidermis.
• Having bad habits.
• Negative impact of artificial heating or air conditioning in buildings.
• Carrying out some cosmetic procedures.

The problem in question may also be caused by one of the following diseases:

• Diseases affecting the human nervous system.
  • Atopic dermatitis.
  • Neurodermatitis.
  • Seborrhea.
  • Hypothyroidism is a deficiency of hormones in the thyroid gland.
  • Eczema.
  • Red lupus.
  • Psoriasis.
  • Ichthyosis.
  • Xerosis.
  • Pink lichen.
  • And others.
• Diabetes mellitus.
• Metabolic disorder.
• Disruptions in the functioning of the digestive tract.
• Manifestation of an allergic reaction.
• Scarlet fever.
• Venereal and other infectious diseases.
• It is possible that this symptom is caused by an oncological problem.

Dry skin of the body and itching

Dehydration of the epidermis brings many unpleasant moments, it is also one of the reasons for early skin aging. The protective layer of cells loses its elasticity and firmness, wrinkles begin to form on their surface, with time becoming more and more contoured.

The first wrinkles appear in the corners of the eyes – in the place with the thinnest and most sensitive skin.

It is the level of hydration that determines the degree of elasticity and firmness, as well as the nutrition of the cells of the dermis.

If dry skin and itching appear on the body, this symptom does not always indicate the presence of any disease in the body. Severe dryness and the desire to scratch a certain area of the skin can be the result of frequent washing or hand washing with low-quality soap with a high degree of alkalinity. A person can get a similar result in the case of too dry air in the room where people spend the maximum amount of time. For example, this often occurs during the heating season. And as a result - dehydration of the body, failure in the sebaceous and sweat glands.

It is possible to improve this situation by additional artificial humidification of the air in the room and by changing the cosmetic products for washing and makeup.

If the source of itching and dehydration is one of the diseases, it is necessary to undergo a course of treatment for the primary source, as well as to choose the right care products for the corresponding skin. These are shower gels, lotions, oils, tonics, moisturizing and nourishing creams. A consultation with a cosmetologist will help resolve this issue. If after changing cosmetics the problem remains unresolved, there is a need for a mandatory visit to a doctor - a dermatologist, who will establish the cause or give a referral to another highly specialized doctor: a neurologist, a gastroenterologist.

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Peeling and dry skin of the body

The process of exfoliation is an increased formation of dead epidermal cells. This process occurs due to disturbances affecting the process of keratinization and rejection of dermal elements. Peeling and dry skin of the body - these two symptoms often go "hand in hand" in many diseases.

The patient may receive such a reaction of the body due to the presence of one of the diseases of a dermatological or infectious nature. With such symptoms, a consultation with the following specialists may be required: dermatologist, infectious disease specialist, oncologist, gastroenterologist, neurologist, surgeon, allergist.

Dry skin of the body in winter

With the arrival of the cold season, especially in our latitudes, many people begin to notice a deterioration in the condition of their skin. The skin becomes dry, tightness is felt, other symptoms appear: itching, dandruff appears, the skin becomes rough, becoming rough. Dry skin of the body in winter - this factor is quite explainable. The onset of cold weather brings with it gusty sharp winds, significant temperature changes, insufficient humidity. All these negative factors have a destructive effect on the lipid layer, which is a protective barrier of the body, responsible for preventing bacterial invasion, maintaining the natural level of humidity. The hydrolipid film is a balanced combination of sweat, moisture and sebum.

At the same time, vitamin reserves are gradually depleted, and their quantitative replenishment decreases, which leads to a weakening of the immune system, a deficiency of vitamins and minerals, and, consequently, the human body becomes more vulnerable to pathological invasion and exacerbation of chronic diseases.

When the heating is turned on, this process only gets worse. If appropriate measures are not taken, the dermis quickly begins to lose fluid, the cell aging process worsens, keratinization and rejection of cells that accumulate on the surface are activated. Over time, small cracks begin to form on the surface of the dermis, which are the "gates" for pathogenic microflora and infection.

Therefore, during the heating season, it is very important not only to moisturize your skin, but also to do everything to retain moisture, normally surviving this difficult time period.

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How to get rid of dry skin on your body?

Methods of moisturizing the skin are different and are largely determined by eliminating the source - the catalyst of the problem. If the cause is a specific disease, then the treatment of dry skin of the body includes all the necessary measures that can stop the pathology, and hence remove its accompanying symptoms.

If the reason is different, then it is necessary to take measures to protect the skin from the negative influence of external irritants, which can be eliminated independently.

• It is necessary to keep the skin clean, but do not overdo it with the number of washes and baths and showers. Cosmetics for washing should be of high quality and correspond to the skin type.
• You should use only high-quality, unexpired cosmetics.
• In winter it is necessary to use protective creams.
• In everyday life, prefer clothes and shoes made of natural materials. This will protect against allergic reactions to artificial materials and protect against thermal overheating of the skin.

At the same time, it is necessary to learn how to properly care for your skin.

• The skin of this type should be cleaned twice a day: in the morning and in the evening. In this case, preference should be given not to alcohol lotions, but, for example, to thermal waters.
• It is especially important to note that in the morning you should not use products that remove the hydrolipidic film from the surface of the dermis. In such a situation, a person loses protection when leaving the house. Most gels and foams for washing, when cleansing, destroy this layer. Therefore, it is better to use them in the evening, because this barrier will have time to recover overnight.
• You shouldn't take too hot baths, if possible, you should switch to showers. They are more beneficial for our body.
• After taking a bath, the body must be dried with soft, blotting movements. The towel should be soft, not hard, and made of natural materials.
• The moisturizing procedure should be done in the evening before going to bed. If the moisturizing cream is applied in the morning, before going outside, then there is a high probability of its crystallization. And instead of protection, the skin may receive negative consequences.
• The use of nourishing creams and masks that provide air and moisture exchange should be applied in the morning, before going outside, and those with a heavy texture should be saved for the cold season.
• Several times a week it is necessary to enrich the layers of the epidermis with masks containing natural products: minerals and vitamins.
• Cosmetic methods of cleansing and nutrition should be used with the same frequency, but it is advisable to do this in specialized institutions and with an experienced qualified specialist. After all, deviation from the requirements for carrying out these procedures can only harm the skin, introduce infection. Particular attention should be paid to problem areas.
• We should not forget about the diet and balance of the diet. It is worth remembering that what we eat is reflected on our skin. Nutrition should be complete, rich in substances useful for the body.

Traditional medicine, which is cheap and easy to produce at home, is also quite active and effective in this direction, but in many ways it is not inferior to the products of cosmetic companies.

• A mask made from egg yolks has proven itself well. Grind 5 g of oatmeal in a blender, then add 20 ml of vegetable oil (any will do) and one fresh yolk. Mix the ingredients of the cosmetic product thoroughly. Apply a thin layer of the mask to the body and leave it on for a quarter of an hour. After finishing, wash off the nourishing gruel with warm water.
• For washing, a tincture of succession is perfect, which is prepared from a tablespoon of the herb and a glass of boiling water, which must be infused for a quarter of an hour, after wrapping it up.
• A home scrub has a high cleansing effect, which helps to open pores and remove dead cells from the surface, which is beneficial for enriching the body with nutrients, vitamins and minerals. It should be immediately warned that this procedure is not carried out often and very carefully. To obtain a scrub, you will need 20 g of fatty cottage cheese (it is better to take the fattest, market from milk from which cream was not collected) and 40 g of coffee brew. Mix these two ingredients and apply a thin layer to the surface of the body with massaging movements. 15 - 30 minutes is enough for the dermis to be cleansed and nourished. After the procedure, take a warm shower.
• You can also make a wonderful nourishing cream at home that effectively eliminates dry skin on your body. To make it, you should first make a decoction: pour half a glass of boiling water over two tablespoons of chamomile (about 20 g) and leave for 15 minutes in a water bath. After that, strain the decoction and add 5 ml of glycerin and 5 g of natural honey to the resulting liquid. Mix all the ingredients until smooth. The first half of the cosmetic product is ready.

For the second, melt 20 ml of butter and add: one egg yolk, camphor oil (5 ml), vegetable oil (preferably olive oil) - 20 ml. Mix well and combine with the ingredients of the first half. You can use a mixer. Put the cream in a convenient container.

If you are unable to choose cosmetics, nourishing and moisturizing products on your own, you should consult a professional dermatologist or cosmetologist.

If the cause of unaesthetic skin is a disease, then you cannot do without the intervention of a specialist. Only he can determine the cause of the pathology and prescribe a treatment that will allow you to get rid of the problem.

If it is a fungal disease, an infectious disease specialist will carry out treatment, but it is necessary to focus on disinfecting common areas, such as the bathroom and toilet.

Remedies for dry skin of the body

Modern cosmetology and medicine are able to offer their patients numerous and diverse means for dry skin of the body. You just need to not get confused in this "sea" of products and choose the one that suits the human skin the most. After all, our skin is individual and in the presence of several similar means, their degree of impact on the dermis can be different.

Today's cosmetic and pharmacological market is able to offer various forms and pharmacodynamic characteristics of manufactured products. These include all kinds of scrubs, soaps, aromatic oils, concentrated vitamin-mineral complexes, shower and washing gels, moisturizing and nourishing creams and masks, and other related products.

Humectants (hydrants) are necessarily added to the composition of products used to eliminate the cause of dry skin - substances that attract moisture when applied to the skin. According to the mode of action and structure, these chemical compounds are divided into hygroscopic and film-forming.

Film-forming humectants are represented by such natural substances: mineral oil, fats of natural origin, beeswax, glycerin and others. When applied to the skin, they form a waterproof layer on the surface that effectively retains liquid, preventing its evaporation.

Glycerin occupies a special place among the substances in this group. As recent studies by American scientists show, it not only prevents dehydration, but also helps to activate the maturation procedure of the young dermal cell. The renewed and young cell stabilizes the water-salt balance in the norm, preventing dry skin of the body.

Belonging to the film-forming hydrants, hexahydric alcohol – sorbitol, has hygroscopic properties that allow not only to moisturize the skin, but also to make it elastic, resilient and velvety.

Another representative of this group is linolenic acid, when applied to the epidermis it not only forms a hydrophilic layer, but also regulates the level of its lipid barrier permeability, thereby controlling the degree of local immunity.

The following substances belong to the category of hygroscopic humectants: collagen, lactic, pyrrolidone carbonic and hyaluronic acids, as well as urea. These compounds are in many ways analogs of skin components. They effectively retain moisture in the skin and subcutaneous layers, thereby protecting the epidermis from dehydration.

Substances of this group have the ability to normalize and maintain the necessary level of natural moisturizing factor (NMF).

Hyaluronic acid has the highest level of hygroscopicity. A gram of this substance is able to "transform" about a liter of liquid substance, in this case water, into a gel. It is this product, due to its unique properties, that is widely used today in medicine, cosmetology, the space industry and in many other areas of human life. Today, this product is mainly obtained from shark skin and rooster combs.

Natural collagen is capable of binding volumes of liquid that are 30 times its own weight. Being present in the cellular and intercellular area of the dermis, they easily retain water, preventing dryness.

Based on the above facts, when choosing a cosmetic product, it is necessary to pay attention to its composition. If you have a problem with dry skin, the cosmetics you buy must contain these ingredients.

The best solution to the problem is to choose an individual program for caring for your body. It should include not only cleansing, moisturizing and nourishing measures. It must also include proper nutrition, a healthy lifestyle, and a favorable emotional mood.

A dermatologist and cosmetologist can help resolve this situation after assessing the level of epidermal dehydration and taking into account the patient's age, individual body characteristics, and season. Through joint efforts, you can achieve the desired result, acquiring a healthy natural look, thereby prolonging youth.

Vitamins for dry skin of the body

One of the reasons for the problem under consideration is hypovitaminosis – a lack of one or more vitamins in the human body. A number of them are simply necessary to maintain the normal condition of the skin, allowing it to maintain its protective functions. Such vitamins for dry skin also exist and include vitamins of group B, C, A and E.

A person receives most of the required amount of these substances from food, but the diet of modern people is not always balanced and requires additional input in the form of multivitamin complexes or other means, for example, in the form of local “delivery” with cream or other cosmetic methods.

The basis for a healthy appearance of the epidermis is ascorbic acid, or as it is also called - vitamin C. This substance plays an important role in the synthesis of collagen and elastin, which in turn make our skin elastic, firm and velvety. Its deficiency leads to dehydration, dry skin, epithelial scales die off more actively, causing increased peeling of the skin. The lack of ascorbic acid can be replenished with black currants, garlic, cabbage, citrus fruits, onions, apples, sweet peppers, liver, tomatoes and other products.

Vitamin E (tocopherol) has no less influence. Its tandem with vitamin A (retinol) has quite high antioxidant characteristics. There is a lot of tocopherol in eggs, butter and vegetable oil, milk, carrots, various nuts, sprouted wheat grains.

Retinol has long been called the vitamin of beauty, and not without reason. After all, its deficiency in the body immediately becomes visible in the condition of the hair, nails and skin of a person. The epidermis loses moisture, elasticity and firmness, peeling and itching appear. This vitamin cannot be restored simply by eating a vitamin, it must accumulate in the body. Therefore, products that contain the maximum amount of retinol must be present on the table of any person every day. These are asparagus, dairy products, butter, cabbage, tomatoes, pumpkin, apricots, green peas, peaches.

Vitamins of group B also play an important role in the health of the skin and its high level of defenses. Their biophysical properties are responsible for the level of absorption of light and complex carbohydrates and fat structures that enter the body with food. Vitamins of group B also affect the breakdown and synthesis of amino acids, which are a kind of building material for many cellular structures, including the dermis. Substances of this group can be obtained from bakery products made from coarse flour, porridge from various cereals. There are many of them in meat and seafood, vegetables and fruits. Substances of this group are highly water-soluble, which is not always good for effective absorption, but allows them to be easily excreted from the body. Therefore, it is advisable to maintain their adequate amount with a vitamin complex.

Cream for dry skin of the body

Perhaps, in solving the current situation, you cannot do without another cosmetic product. But the cream for dry skin of the body must meet certain requirements:

• When caring for this type of skin, you should avoid alcohol-based products, peeling and scrubs based on rough structures. Otherwise, you can only bring additional discomfort and irritation to the skin. Such procedures are carried out no more than once a week.
• Creams for this type of epithelium should be made on the basis of one of the nourishing essential oils, while its composition should not include fragrances. Ideally, such a cosmetic product can be made by yourself on the basis of natural components. Such a product will be more useful for the skin, because it does not contain preservatives, but you will have to store the homemade cream in the refrigerator.

There are many creams that meet these requirements. But if there are children in the family, and they inherited dry skin from one or both parents, then it is not advisable to use adult cosmetics. For this, there are cosmetic products that were developed taking into account sensitive children's skin, but they will be just as effective for an adult.

It is worth noting the nourishing baby cream. For example, Weleda with calendula. This product is made from natural ingredients, perfectly softens the skin, relieves peeling and itching.

Another one is Swiss Nature Baby – it has a soft protective effect. The composition of the cream is natural:

• Jojoba oil helps moisturize the dermis.
• Shea butter fills it with nutrients and enhances its anti-cold protective qualities.
• Chamomile extract relieves irritation.
• Edelweiss extract activates local immune defense.
• Wild pansy extract heals wounds and relieves inflammation.

This cream can be used in the morning, applying before going outside, and before going to bed, after taking a shower.

Baby cream "Mashenka", which also includes natural ingredients: eucalyptus oil, celandine extract, lavender oil. This cosmetic product has a pleasant texture and is easy to apply to the skin, effectively nourishing, protecting and moisturizing the skin of both an adult and a child. Does not contain dyes. As strange as it may sound, but in this situation, a drug that actively affects the processes of tissue metabolism - panthenol - behaves perfectly. This pharmacological drug stimulates healing when the dermis is damaged, which invariably affects the establishment of a reliable barrier in the process of protection from excessive moisture loss.

This product can be used both as a spray and as a cream, which has another name - Bepanthen. The active ingredient panthenol is easily applied to the skin and perfectly moisturizes it. One caveat - this product should be used locally, not applied to the entire body.

For those who want to try making a cream for dry skin at home, we would like to offer several recipes. The preparation of these cosmetics will not take much time, but the housewife will know the composition of the cream, which will help to avoid allergic reactions (negative additives) and reduce the cost of the product, while the quality of such a product is not inferior to those released by cosmetic companies.

• Nourishing homemade cream

Ingredients:

• Calendula oil - half a teaspoon
• Coconut essential oil - half a teaspoon
• Sesame essential oil - teaspoon
• Cocoa butter (solid) – 40 g
• Beeswax – 8 g
• Chamomile essential oil - half a teaspoon

Cocoa butter and beeswax are transferred to a liquid state in a water bath. These components are thoroughly mixed with a special medical mixer or an ordinary glass stick, after which they are placed in a cool place so that the mixture cools down to a warm state or room temperature.

Only after this should you carefully add essential oils one by one. Mix everything well. This composition is most effectively applied after water procedures: taking a bath or shower.

• Moisturizing homemade cream

Ingredients:

• Cucumber - one
• Water – 40 ml
• Almond essential oil – 40 ml
• Beeswax – 5 g

Peel the cucumber and grind it into a coarse pulp using any convenient method. Heat the water and essential oil. Add two tablespoons of the cucumber mixture to the water-oil mixture. Heat this mixture on a low heat in a water bath for half an hour, then beat with a mixer. Store in the refrigerator.

You can also note the line of the Garnier company. Intensive care creams in their composition are represented by natural essential oils of various berries and fruits. Creams of this line work perfectly for moisturizing and nourishing dry skin. The maximum therapeutic effect can be observed with regular use.

Bioderma Atoderm - this cream can be used not only to prevent dehydration of the dermis and improve its protective qualities, but also in the treatment of atopic dermatitis and maintaining the skin in proper condition during remission.

You can also note the Lush body cream. An excellent cosmetic product that effectively moisturizes the skin with the type of epidermis in question, covering it with a protective lipid layer. This product is developed and created on the basis of natural oils. But the cosmetic product in question is still not recommended for use to moisturize the sensitive skin of a child's body.

If you inherited dry skin from your parents, or acquired this factor during your life, you should not be upset right away. The modern cosmetic market is ready to offer a wide range of diverse products that are ready to come to the rescue, eliminating dry skin of the body. The main task of these cosmetics is to create or maintain the integrity of the hydrolipid film. After all, it is the barrier that prevents increased moisture loss, leading to the symptoms of dry skin. If you cannot solve the problem on your own, you should contact a specialist who will give recommendations and, taking into account the individual characteristics of your body, will help you choose the most effective care products.