Dry Skin Causes

Environmental exposure is the most common cause of dry skin. For instance, winter is the time when most people experience "winter itch," which is characterized by flaky dry skin.

Pollution is also an environmental cause of dry skin. Even climate-controlled environments can play a part in drying your skin. Forced-air furnaces and fireplaces also contribute to dry skin.

While sun-exposed skin only looks like ordinary dry skin, the damage done is actually much worse than it initially appears. Surprisingly, even the chlorine in ordinary tap water can cause irritated and dry skin.

Hot water baths and spas can also contribute to shriveled dry skin when used frequently. To avoid dry skin, only lukewarm water should be used. Using too many cosmetics will also cause dry skin.

The ingredients in these are often skin irritants. Many soaps are also harsh on the skin. Lifestyle also dictates skin health. Having too much caffeine, alcohol, fried food and processed vegetable oil can also boost dry skin.

Lack of exercise deprives your skin of the benefits of better blood flow. Lastly, lack of sleep also promotes dry skin. The body naturally repairs damaged skin cells during this resting phase. Getting enough sleep is probably the simplest thing you can do to avoid dry skin.

Medical Conditions

You might be following a healthy lifestyle and using all the skin remedies you can find, and still be suffering from dry skin.

Despite your best efforts, your skin condition does not improve. You have large areas of scaling or peeling skin.

Acne and Dry Skin - A Tough Combination

One of the toughest skin combinations to keep clear and healthy looking is acne combined with dry skin.

This skin type, otherwise known as combination skin, presents its own challenges because each type of skin requires two completely different environments and skin care routines.

Products intended to dry up acne, on the other hand, may cause dry skin. Always use products that are formulated for combination skin.

These products help even out skin conditions by moisturizing dry skin and absorbing oils on oily, acne prone skin. Skin Care for Acne and Dry Skin

* Toner – Toners and astringents are an important part of any acne skin care routine. Many toners that are made for acne prone skin are very drying. You need to make sure than anything that you use is made for acne prone skin as well as patches of dry skin.

A good daily lotion will moisturize dry skin while absorbing skin oils that cause acne.

Dry Skin and Acne: Things to Avoid

* Sun – The sun is the number one factor that dries and ages your skin.

* Cleansing pads – many cleansing pads formulated for acne riddled skin are extremely harsh and not intended for use on dry skin.

* Oils and moisturizers – Just as many treatments for acne can dry your skin, many treatments for dry skin can cause acne. Treating dry skin and acne combination skin does not have to be confusing and impossible.