Many people struggle with dry skin, especially in the winter months. But it’s not just the warm air from the heating that creates problems for our outer protective barrier. Here are 4 common causes of skin dryness.
Actually, the sebaceous glands ensure that our skin is always covered with a thin film of fat. However, external influences such as the weather can cause the glands to produce less sebum or damage certain layers of the skin. Likewise, an unhealthy lifestyle can rob the skin of moisture, causing it to dry out. This often leads to cracked, wrinkled skin and increased sensitivity. The following four causes can be behind it.
Table of Contents
Dry skin? These 4 causes are behind it
1. Smoking
It is widely known that smoking is bad for our lungs. But did you know that cigarettes can also seriously affect your skin’s appearance? According to the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ)Does smoking cigarettes damage your skin in several ways: “It accelerates skin aging, impairs wound healing and promotes the development of various skin diseases”. The nicotine it contains constricts the blood vessels, which reduces blood flow to your skin. It also removes water from the top layer of skin and thus contributes to dehydration. As a result, tobacco consumption causes your skin to wrinkle and age prematurely: “The skin of smokers who smoke 20 cigarettes a day is already ten years older than that of non-smokers in middle age,” according to the DKFZ .
2. Diet and hydration
Do you eat two servings of fruit and at least three servings of vegetables every day? If not, this could be the cause of your dry skin. Because fresh plant-based foods have an enormously high water content and thus make a major contribution to our fluid balance. They also contain important vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals that care for our skin and help with antioxidantsprotect against oxygen stress. Finished products, fast food and sweets, on the other hand, are counterproductive and can worsen the complexion. Drinking enough water is just as important as nutrition, especially in winter. You should maintain your fluid balance with water and unsweetened tea. Alcohol, on the other hand, should be avoided as it draws water out of the body.
Exciting: A British research team found out in a study that people who previously had an unhealthy diet in particular can achieve a more attractive complexion with fewer wrinkles and a more radiant complexion with the help of a change in diet. The researchers recommend increasing your intake of vegetables and fruit to at least five portions a day – the more colorful vegetables, the better.
3. Weather
In fact, it’s not just the cold, uncomfortable winter weather that can cause problems for our skin. Even in summer, we can damage our skin by exposing it to the sun ‘s rays for long periods of time without protection . Then it not only dries out and suffers sunburn, the risk of skin cancer also increases with excessive UV radiation. However, most suffer from dry and particularly sensitive skin, especially in winter. On the one hand, this is due to the cold , which causes the blood vessels in our skin to contract. As a result, it is less well supplied with blood and the oily sebaceous glands are less active. Likewise, the dry, warm heating air withdrawsfluid in our body, which is why you should drink at least two liters a day, especially in winter.
4. Detergents
Do you always clean your apartment without protective gloves? You should reconsider this in the future, as some cleaning products can attack and damage your skin ‘s natural acid barrier. These include chlorine, hydrogen peroxide, sodium hypochlorite solution, polyether polyphosphate, sulfamic acid. In the long run, this not only leads to dry skin, but also promotes the development of skin irritation . Therefore, always wear gloves when cleaning to avoid direct skin contact.
When should I go to the doctor with dry skin?
Since dry skin can also be the result or a symptom of certain skin diseases such as neurodermatitis, psoriasis, fungal infections or allergies, you should consult your family doctor or dermatologist if you suspect it. In particular, if your skin suddenly changes without changing your lifestyle, there could be a pathological cause. Likewise, some medications can make your skin more sensitive or dehydrate it. These include cortisone, draining drugs to lower blood pressure, cholesterol-lowering drugs, cancer drugs and the pill .
Tip: If your skin is unusually dry, sore, itchy or scaly despite regular care, you should contact your dermatologist to have the cause clarified.
