What causes dry skin?

Several factors can lead to skin dehydration, which means that the water content of the top layer of the skin is reduced, causing the skin cells to shrink. This shrinkage creates many of the familiar symptoms of dry skin, including itching, scaling, loss of elasticity and tightness. Scratching further damages the skin, leaving it vulnerable to infection. Some causes of dry skin include:

• Overheated rooms
• Low humidity
• Air conditioners
• Excessive sun
• Too much soap and water, which washes away natural oils
• Cleansing in hot water