What causes dry skin?

Every single one of us is likely to develop dry skin at some point in our lives. In the UK, a staggering 8 million of us are affected with dry skin, with eczema affecting 8% of adults and 20% of children. There are many reasons why dry skin might occur. External factors, such as cold weather and using harsh soaps, or internal factors such as diabetes and aging, can cause the outer skin layers to be stripped away.

Dry skin usually occurs when the skin is unable to regulate its own moisture levels as water is lost from its outer layer (epidermis). The skin barrier becomes weakened, resulting in dry, flaky or rough skin, which can be itchy and uncomfortable. When you have dry skin, the outer fatty layers have been stripped away, leaving the inner layers of your skin vulnerable and unprotected. there are many reasons why this may happen and, depending on what the cause is, there are steps you can take to avoid or reduce your condition.