Dry skin

The causes for the development of dry skin are diverse. Individual disposition, ageing processes, environmental influences, various skin diseases, or basic illnesses such as diabetes can result in dry skin.

Climatic influences

Wind, cold and sun can result in dry skin or, with skin diseases, lead to a worsening of the skin condition. The skin also dries out during longer stays in climatic areas with very low humidity, or in air-conditioned or constantly over-heated rooms.

Other external influences

Pure water can already withdraw the moisture-binding substances from the skin during a bath or shower. If soap, foam baths or oil-removing wash lotions are used, this results in the oils being extracted from the skin. The protective 'brickwork' of the skin becomes brittle and cracked and the moisture can escape more easily. Because the protective lipid film is missing, harmful substances can penetrate more easily into the skin from outside.

If frequent washing with lathery soaps or foam baths results in the development of inflammatory, cracked changes in the skin, we talk of exsiccation eczema or xerotic eczema. As the skin in this case is more permeable for harmful substances and irritants, an irritative, toxic eczema or an allergic contact eczema develops.

Skin diseases

Some skin diseases such as neurodermatitis (atopic eczema) and psoriasis are accompanied by dry skin. The causes for dry skin with these diseases are, e.g. insufficient production of skin oils (lipids) and a lack of the skin's own natural moisturising factors such as urea. This results in reduced water binding in the skin, which also means that the elasticity of the skin is reduced.

Skin ageing

In old age, the skin is often dry, rough and itchy. The cause is a reduced ability of the skin to bind moisture. The subcutaneous fatty tissue and the connective tissue are reduced. The skin thus appears thin, saggy and wrinkly. Dry aged skin requires special care and the aim is to avoid cleansing processes that dry the skin out.