Dry Skin
Description
This page has 45 references
"Dry Skin" is a condition in which the skin loses moisture and essential oils, becoming rough, tight, or flaky. External factors like cold weather, hot showers, harsh soaps, and indoor heating can worsen dryness or trigger flare-ups. Symptoms may include persistent itchiness, scaling, or cracking. Using hydrating moisturizers, avoiding hot water, and choosing gentle skincare products can restore the skin barrier. A nutrient-rich diet with healthy fats and antioxidants also helps maintain elasticity, hydration, and long-term skin health.
Symptoms & Signs
Body System
Causes
Dehydration, Weather Conditions, Heating, Air-conditioning, Aging, Vitamin Deficiencies, Poor Diet, Medications
Things To Do
If you have dry skin, do the following:
incorporate a whole-foods-based diet that includes a wide range of vegetables, fruit, healthy proteins, and fatty acids.
Eat sulfur-containing produce, such as eggs, galric, onions, cruciferous vegetables, and asparagus.
Include foods high in vitamin A or beta-carotene.
Stay hydrated and drink mineral water and herbal teas.
Eat foods high in omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin E, which also have beneficial effects on dry skin.
Furthermore, try these:
Moisturize your skin right after showering or bathing. It will help lock in the moisture.
Check the humidity levels in your surroundings. If it is too low, use the humidifier.
Use moisturizing face, hand, and foot masks. They can help alleviate dryness.
body and skin care products that contain vitamin E, panthenol, aloe vera, and vegetable glycerin.
Turn down the heating in the winter.
Things To Avoid
When you have dry or very dry skin, avoid the following:
processed, fast, and junk foods.
coffee, caffeinated drinks, alcohol, and sweetened beverages.
sugar, sweets, and desserts.
Do not fry your food, and avoid heat-processed vegetable oils.
Furthermore, avoid the following practices:
smoking and inhaling secondhand smoke.
using harsh soaps [including facial soaps, foams, and cleansers] that remove natural oils from the skin.
hot showers and baths.
Stay out of the strong sun. Sun exposure is necessary for our health, but excessive sun exposure can damage the skin.
Supplements
Direct Support
(Most Helpful → Least Helpful)
These supplements directly affect dry skin by enhancing skin hydration, supporting lipid barrier integrity, or reducing inflammation in the skin layers.
Omega 3: Omega-3 strengthens the skin’s lipid barrier by enhancing the production of essential fatty acids, which lock in moisture and reduce water loss. This process helps soothe inflammation and improve skin hydration, effectively relieving dry skin.
Collagen: Collagen peptides improve skin hydration, elasticity, and firmness, reducing dryness and promoting a smoother, more youthful complexion.
Vitamin E: Vitamin E acts as an antioxidant that helps lock in moisture by creating a protective barrier, reducing dryness, and promoting smooth, hydrated skin.
Vitamin A: Vitamin A supports skin health by aiding collagen production and protecting against sun damage. Its antioxidant properties help retain moisture and prevent dryness, promoting a smoother complexion.
Vitamin B Complex: Vitamin B complex supports skin hydration by improving moisture retention and reducing dryness. Key components like B1 (Thiamin), B2 (Riboflavin), B5 (Pantothenic acid), and B7 (Biotin) promote a healthy skin barrier, assist in cell regeneration, and help maintain smooth, moisturized skin.
Vitamin C: Vitamin C enhances collagen production, improving skin thickness and hydration. It also protects the skin from UV damage, helping reduce dryness and promote a healthy, glowing complexion.
Zinc: Zinc aids in skin repair and regeneration, helping to maintain moisture balance and support a smooth, healthy complexion.
Indirect Support
(Most Helpful → Least Helpful)
These supplements do not target dry skin directly but may improve hormonal balance, circulation, or overall hydration status that influences skin moisture.
No replicated and convincing research studies are available, and there is no anecdotal evidence supporting the effectiveness of this method.
Natural Compounds
These natural compounds may help alleviate dry skin by nourishing skin cells, supporting hydration, or enhancing the skin’s natural barrier function.
Hyaluronic Acid: Hyaluronic acid draws moisture into the skin, holding up to 1,000 times its weight in water, which enhances hydration, smoothness, and elasticity, minimizing the appearance of dryness and fine lines.
Colloidal Oatmeal: Colloidal oatmeal forms a soothing barrier on the skin, preventing water loss by locking in moisture. Its beta-glucans and polysaccharides attract water to the skin, ensuring deep hydration while calming irritation and protecting the skin’s natural barrier.
Coconut Oil: Coconut oil, rich in fatty acids like lauric acid, strengthens the skin’s lipid barrier by sealing in moisture and preventing water loss, promoting smoother and more hydrated skin.
Plant Extracts
Direct Support
(Most Helpful → Least Helpful)
These plant extracts directly support skin hydration by soothing irritation, reducing inflammation, or promoting healthy oil production and moisture retention.
Borage Oil: Borage oil, a rich source of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), strengthens the skin's moisture barrier, reducing transepidermal water loss and improving skin texture and firmness, resulting in better hydration and healthier skin.
Evening Primrose Oil: Evening primrose oil, rich in gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), boosts skin moisture by enhancing the lipid barrier, reducing transepidermal water loss, and improving skin firmness and texture for better overall hydration.
Aloe Vera Gel: Aloe vera gel deeply hydrates the skin by retaining moisture in the skin layers, soothing inflammation, and helping heal dry, irritated skin through its cooling and anti-inflammatory properties.
Calendula Oil: Calendula’s anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds, like flavonoids, calm dry, sensitive skin by reducing redness and repairing the skin barrier, aiding in faster recovery from irritation.
Indirect Support
(Most Helpful → Least Helpful)
These extracts do not act directly on dry skin but may support detoxification, immune balance, or overall skin repair and resilience.
No replicated and convincing research studies are available, and there is no anecdotal evidence supporting the effectiveness of this method.
Alternative Treatments
These alternative therapies support skin hydration, promote tissue repair, and enhance overall skin health in individuals with dry skin.
No replicated and convincing research studies are available, and there is no anecdotal evidence supporting the effectiveness of this method.
Books That You May Want To Read
Podcast Episodes To Listen To
Educational Videos To Learn From
Functional Lab Tests That You Might Consider
How Key Nutrients Support the Body
Fatty Acids: Fatty acids serve as energy sources, structural components of cell membranes, and precursors to signaling molecules. Essential fatty acids, like omega-3 and omega-6, play critical roles in brain function, cardiovascular health, and inflammation regulation.
Herbal Extracts: Herbal extracts contain bioactive compounds with various medicinal properties, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial effects. They have been used traditionally to support digestion, immunity, and overall health.
Minerals: Minerals are essential for various physiological functions, including bone health, nerve transmission, and enzyme activity. They support overall health by ensuring proper cellular function and metabolic processes.
Other Nutrients: Other nutrients encompass a wide array of essential compounds crucial for various physiological functions. This category includes neurotransmitters and their precursors, which facilitate nerve signaling and are vital for central nervous system function. Additionally, naturally occurring structural components and biological detergents, such as phospholipids and bile salts, play critical roles in tissue repair, fat digestion, and overall bodily function. Phospholipids contribute to cell membrane integrity and fat emulsification, while bile salts are key to digesting and absorbing dietary fats. Hormones and their precursors regulate numerous physiological processes, including metabolism, growth, and reproduction. Furthermore, naturally occurring chemicals and metals play pivotal roles in enzymatic reactions, immune function, and overall health maintenance.
Vitamins: Vitamins are essential micronutrients that play diverse roles in supporting cellular processes, immune function, and overall health. They must be obtained through diet or supplementation to ensure proper bodily function.
Essential Nutrients Explained
References
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