As the body's largest organ, skin serves as the mediator between the environment and internal organ systems. Its function is to protect the body from pathogens and dehydration. Because the skin is constantly exposed to environmental stresses, it...
Swimming in salt water won't make you gain weight. Your skin acts as a barrier that prevents water absorption, as well as absorption of chemicals such as sodium. The outermost layer does absorb water, which is why skin wrinkles in water, but this...
The stratum corneum is the outermost layer of skin that protects the underlying layers of skin. Its main purpose is to retain moisture in the body. If the stratum corneum becomes too dry, it may not be able to work efficiently. This can cause the...
According to "Skin Physiology, Irritants, Dry Skin and Moisturizers," a report by Christina Marino, MD, MPH, when chemicals adversely affect the layers of lipids, or fatty molecules that help trap water, moisture escapes and leaves the skin dry....
When dry skin is not a natural side effect of aging, it is usually a temporary, mild problem but one that can lead to discomfort and wrinkles, explains MayoClinic.com. Both kinds of dry skin are technically known as xerosis, while more serious...
Cracked heels may occur when the stratum corneum, or the dead and dying outer-layer cells of the epidermis on the heels, loses its protective oil, water escapes, the stratum corneum shrinks, the skin becomes thick, rough, dry and then cracks,...
Atopic eczema, also called atopic dermatitis, generates symptoms that recur over a lifetime in most patients. Their compromised immune systems and skin structures result in periodically dry, red, itchy skin that tends toward infection. Many...
Peptides for skin care became a popular notion when French women named a product used for stretch marks as the best antiwrinkle cream for the face. Soon cosmetic manufacturers were rushing to include the peptide ingredients responsible for the...
Dry skin patches can appear due to a variety of factors, including how your skin reacts to environmental influences. Moisturizing your skin often with a product that traps is moisture is one of the most effective ways to deal with dry skin. Olive...
One of the uses for extra virgin olive oil is as a moisturizer. Olive oil contains several compounds, including palmitic, oleic and linoleic acids, that trap water in the skin. Whether you are battling dry skin or just needing a daily moisturizer,...
Vegetable oil is one viable solution to chapped hands because of its ability to lubricate and hold in moisture. Chapped, dried hands often itch and may even burn, especially when they are washed or exposed to chemicals. To recover, hands need...
Psoriasis and dry skin are different ailments with overlapping symptoms, triggers and treatments. Dry skin occurs when there is not enough water in the outer layer of the skin. This outer layer is comprised of oil, water and dead skin cells. Dry...
The skin on your face consists of three layers: the epidermis, dermis and fatty layer. The thin outermost layer, the epidermis, is composed of three sublayers: the stratum corneum, keratinocytes and basal layer. The middle layer or dermis includes...
In addition to providing protection for internal organs, skin helps regulate your body temperature and makes possible your sense of touch. Accomplishing these objectives requires that your skin be in a constant state of renewal, replacing old or...
Salicylic acid is a keratolytic beta hydroxy acid that is commonly used for the treatment of acne. Salicylic acid is derived from the bark of the willow tree, and then combined with other ingredients in lotions, creams and gels. Salicylic acid is...
Dry skin is a common problem that occurs when not enough water is available in the outer most layer of your skin, called the stratum corneum. Dry skin can be caused by a variety of factors. For example, dry skin can be the result of exposure to a...
If you have dry skin on your knees, it may be a product of aging skin, a dry environment or daily habits, according to the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology. Dry skin isn't normally a serious problem, but it can become so uncomfortable...
Glycolic acid is a member of the alpha hydroxy acid family. Derived from sugar cane, glycolic acid is used in a variety of proportions--from 10 up to 70 percent--in chemical peels or for daily application. When applied, glycolic acid works to...
Dry skin occurs when there is not enough moisture present in the outermost layer of the skin, called the stratum corneum. Dry skin is commonly caused by dry winter air, wind evaporation, indoor heating or skin thinning due to natural aging....
Soft white paraffin is also known as white petroleum jelly. It is used in a variety of applications which include pharmaceutical, cosmetic and skin care uses. It is an odorless jelly that is impervious to water. This makes it useful for many...
Everyone experiences pruritis, or itchy skin. This annoying symptom can make the entire body feel itchy or only affect a certain area such as an arm or foot. Though causes are usually minor, they sometimes indicate a more serious condition. For...
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, a series of microdermabrasion treatments can address blotchy or uneven skin tones. A professional microdermabrasion procedure uses a special wand that shoots aluminum oxide crystals at the surface...
Dry skin, also called xerosis or asteatosis, is especially prevalent in winter and in areas with cold, dry air. Dry skin is found most often on the arms and legs, but can be found on other spots on the body. The University of Iowa Health Care's...
Ammonium lactate lotion is a prescription lotion designed to heal excessively dry, chapped, irritated skin, or scaly skin. It also provides temporary relief of the itching associated with these conditions. Composed of an alpha-hydroxy acid, it is...
Dry, rough or scaly skin can happen for a variety of reasons including moisture loss, exposure to the environment, disease, and just regular wear and tear from your place of work to chores at home. When developing products to soften skin back to...
Chafing, peeling, flaking, itching and cracked skin are all signs of very dry hands. Very dry skin is not only unsightly, it is also painful. APIC (Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc.) explains that lipid loss...
Blackheads are a form of acne caused by buildup in pores. Normally pores secrete sebum to moisturize and protect your skin, but a combination of excessive sebum production with accumulation of dead skin cells in the pores causes blackheads and...
Most people are familiar with the incessant itch of dry skin, particularly during the winter months. While scratching offers temporary relief, it sometimes just makes the itch come back with more vengeance. Understanding how dry skin causes...
Anyone who has spent too much time in the bath, swimming, washing dishes or in other activities that expose the skin of the hands to water has noticed that the fingers and palms become wrinkled. According to the Library of Congress, most...
