Dry Skin: What Exactly Is It?
Normally, skin is supple and elastic because it contains a lot of water.
The outer layer of skin is made up of lipids that help retain moisture in the deeper layers of the skin.
If these lipids are produced in insufficient quantities, the skin can become dry, as its protective barrier function is disrupted. The skin then becomes rough, sensitive and prone to external aggressors.
There are two situations:
- Dry skin: a lack of fatty substances (lipids);
- Dehydrated skin: a lack of water.
It's possible to have both at once, especially in winter or when using unsuitable skincare.
Common Causes of Dry Skin
Environmental Factors
External factors such as cold, UV rays, wind or pollution can attack the skin and dry it out. In winter, cold outdoor air and heated indoor air reduce humidity and encourage the skin to lose water. In summer, UV rays damage the skin barrier, speed up water loss, and encourage dehydration.
Excessive use of harsh household products, hot water and soap can also strip away the skin's natural lipids, which are essential for retaining moisture.
Internal Factors
Age is certainly the most common cause of dry skin. With ageing, sebum and sweat production decreases, making the skin drier and less supple.
Certain hormonal factors and genetic predispositions can also disrupt the skin's balance.
Among the internal causes, various conditions are also responsible for dry skin. Skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis, but also diabetes or hypothyroidism, for example. Certain medications, particularly those for acne, diuretics, or topical treatments containing alcohol, dry out the skin.
Lifestyle Habits
It's essential to look after your skin and treat it gently. Baths or showers that are too frequent, or use very hot water, can, for example, damage the lipid barrier, as can wearing overly tight clothing.
Diet also plays a role in the health of your skin. Fatty acids and vegetable oils rich in omega-3 fatty acids are essential for strengthening the skin barrier, as is proper hydration.
Signs of Dry Skin to Recognise
The signs of dry skin are generally easy to spot:
- The skin feels tight, especially straight after showering;
- The skin is less supple, less soft to the touch;
- Fine lines appear on the skin;
- Chapping, cracks or redness can also appear;
- The skin can flake and itch.
Dry, dehydrated skin can progress to cracks, fissures, or even inflammation if not properly managed.
If your skin itches, there is also a risk of lesions if you scratch the area intensively.
How Can You Prevent Dry Skin?
To keep your skin supple and soft in all circumstances, you can adopt daily habits and a suitable skincare routine.
Start by adjusting your daily hygiene routine, favouring short, lukewarm showers over hot baths. Hot water strips away the skin's protective sebum. Use gentle, soap-free cleansers or superfatted products, which respect the skin's natural hydrolipidic film. Avoid products containing alcohol, fragrances or dyes, which can irritate and dry out the skin.
Then moisturise your skin regularly with a suitable moisturising cream or lotion. There are specific treatments for different areas of the body — don't neglect any of them, even the feet! These are particularly sensitive to dry skin. Moisturising your feet is essential to prevent cracks and fissures.
Protect your skin from external aggressors, for example by limiting sun exposure, and stay sufficiently hydrated. Follow a balanced diet rich in essential fatty acids, fruit and vegetables.
Which Areas of the Body Are Most Prone to Dryness?
Certain areas of the body are particularly prone to dry skin due to their exposure, the thinness of their epidermis, or frequent contact with irritant factors.
The most commonly affected areas are:
- The hands, often exposed to frequent washing and household products;
- The legs, often overlooked in skincare routines, are very affected, especially in winter or after hot showers;
- The feet: subject to friction from shoes and walking, they can become very dry, rough and develop calluses;
- The elbows and knees, mainly due to friction from clothing and the ground;
- The arms, quite exposed to air and friction;
- The lips, very sensitive to dehydration, they dry out and chap easily, especially in cold weather or after sun exposure.
The URGO Product You Need: URGO Filmomousse® Nourishing
Solutions to Soothe Your Skin
To restore supple, comfortable skin, daily hydration is recommended. Nourishing creams and specific treatments can be a great help.
Don't forget any part of the body, notably the most exposed areas such as the hands and feet.
Hands need intense hydration with very nourishing ingredients. A repairing treatment — such as URGO Intensive Repair Honey Hand Cream — is, for example, particularly recommended for dry to very dry hands.
For feet, choose a non-greasy, non-sticky treatment such as URGO Filmomousse Nourishing foam cream to avoid the risk of slipping after application. This intensely nourishes the skin and forms a breathable protective film on dry skin, protecting it from external aggressors.
