What Causes Dry Facial Skin?

What Causes Dry Facial Skin?
Photo Credit la cigarette image by Anthony CALVO from Fotolia.com

Dry facial skin can manifest for a numbers of reasons. You may be able to control some of the causes of dry facial skin, but you will not be able to control the one cause with which almost everyone suffers at one point in time. Most people want normal skin because normal skin is attractive. It is free of blemishes, it looks hydrated and it feels smooth. Learn the causes of dry facial skin so you can prevent your skin from becoming dry.

Aging

The aging process is the one cause of dry skin you cannot prevent. As you age, the activity of the oil glands located under the facial skin slows down, and the glands make less sebum. Sebum is the skin's natural oil, and without it the skin becomes dry. Moisturizer can be used to combat dry skin.

Dehydration

Facial skin becomes dry when the skin lacks moisture. Wrinkles and lines form on the skin as a result. Insufficient water consumption causes dry skin, and caffeine consumption also dehydrates the skin. Drinking at least six glasses of water a day helps to prevent skin dryness.

Diabetes and Kidney Disease

People who have diabetes will experience a loss of body fluids if they have an elevated level of glucose in their blood. Since perspiration is a natural moisturizer, nerve damage caused by diabetes may also contribute to dry skin by lessening the amount of sweat produced. Kidney failure may result in dry, itchy skin when someone who has experienced kidney failure goes for hemodialysis treatments. Toxins that remain in the blood due to kidney failure and increased parathyroid hormones may also cause skin problems. Moisturizing creams can be used to moisturize the skin.

Other Causes of Dry Facial Skin

Environmental influences such as overexposure to the sun and being in surroundings where the air is extremely dry can create a dry skin problem. Smoking cigarettes is another contributor to dry facial skin. Over-washing and using harsh soaps on the skin can also dry out facial skin, as can the use of hot water on the skin. Use of a humidifier may help by emitting moisture in a room. Mild moisturizing soaps and cutting down on washing the face may also improve the condition of dry facial skin.

References

Article reviewed by Sinclair V. Last updated on: Jun 30, 2010

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