DRY SKIN SUMMARY
Dry skin can be both embarrassing and painful. Skin that is dry shows signs of aging much more than properly moisturized skin. Dry skin can be unsightly, causing flaking and bleeding, and it can also expose you to airborne irritants and diseases that penetrate the cracked skin. We strive to provide you with the information about dry skin and how to treat it using both remedies, appropriate skincare products and changes to foods and lifestyle. We hope that you find this information useful. If you wish to share this information with a friend simply click the "Tell a Friend" button below.

WHAT IS DRY SKIN (XEROSIS)?
Dry skin—also known by its medical term xerosis—is a common problem. Your skin needs moisture to remain supple, taut and youthful looking. There are many factors that can cause your skin to dry including age, hormonal changes, foods, your environment, medications, weather and your lifestyle and more. Dry skin may be localized. Some people have combination skin where the T-Zone, forehead, nose and chin, are oily and the cheeks and neck are dry. Other areas of the body are susceptible to dry skin, including lips, arms and lower legs in the calf area.

Dry skin can progress to become very unsightly. Just as dried beef—beef jerkey—looks dried, leathery and wrinkly, this is what your skin can look like if you leave dry skin untreated. Dry skin can cause the skin to flake off. Flaky skin is known as seborrheic dermatitis. Dry skin can also crack and bleed. This is not only unsightly, but it also exposes you to irritants and airborne illnesses. In other words, dry skin can lead to additional complications such as disease. There are also some very serious dry skin conditions, such as the genetic disorder called ichthyosis, which can cause physical disfiguration and psychological distress.

Fortunately, most forms of dry skin can be treated by some simple changes in your lifestyle. Please read on for additional insight.


SYMPTOMS OF DRY SKIN
Dry skin can show a variety of symptoms, depending upon the stage of the dryness, the location of the dry skin, the causes and the individual. Dry skin might be year round, or it might be seasonal. It might be systemic, everywhere on your body, or it might be localized. Here are some of the common symptoms of dry skin:

• Your skin appears shrunken or dehydrated: Much like the beef jerky example above, dry skin looks dry.
   The moisture in your skin keeps it plump and healthy looking. Dry skin can look dry and rough.
• Skin tightness: Your skin might feel tight. This is often more pronounced after swimming, bathing,
   showering or exposure to dry heat.
• Itching (pruritus): Dry skin can crack, exposing your deeper and more sensitive layers of skin to irritants.
   This then results in itching.
• Fine lines, wrinkles and cracks: As your skin dries, it shrinks. This causes wrinkling and can also lead to
   cracks in the skin. The cracks can even bleed, a sure sign of dry skin in desperate need of treatment.
• Red irritated look: As your skin dries it can become red and irritated or angry looking. This may show up
   as dry circles or patches of red dry areas. Note: sunburn can also cause redness, but part of the
   "burning" effect is your skin being dried out by the sun.
• Flaking, peeling or scaling: As your skin dries it dies. This dead skin can then show-up as scales or it can
   peel or flake off.


WHAT CAUSES DRY SKIN?
While your eyes are the window to your soul, your skin is the window to your health. Just as many factors can affect your health, many factors can affect your skin. Here are some of the factors that can cause dry skin:

Weather: Weather extremes—very cold or very hot—can result in dry skin. When the humidity is very low, the weather will dry out your skin. So if you have cold dry winters or hot dry summers, it can dry out your skin. At the same time, humidity can cause your skin to sweat profusely. If your sweat is allowed to stay on your skin, this can cause blockages in the sweat glands causing both pimples and dry skin.

Heating and Air Conditioning: Heating and air conditioning both have a drying effect on the air. If you live or work in an environment that relies on heating or air conditioning, you should consider investing in a humidifier to help maintain a healthy level of humidity in the air. If you use an exposed heating mechanism like a radiator or a wood burning stove, keep a pan of water on the hot element to replenish the moisture in the air that heating naturally removes.

Exposure to the Sun: While sun exposure is helpful to generate Vitamin D, it can also dry your skin. Prolonged exposure can lead to sunburn which, as its name states is a burning of the skin that removes both hydrating moisture and the oils that protect the skin and help it maintain its moisture balance. If you go in the sun your should cover your skin with clothing or sunscreen to prevent sunburn. However, beware of sunscreens that have alcohol or preservatives that can irritate and desiccate your skin. Look into sunscreens that moisturize the skin like the Arouge Sunblock.

Soaps and Detergents: Your skin has natural oils called lipids. This oil on the surface of your skin protects it from the sun and other elements and also helps to keep the moisture in and irritants out. Most soaps strip this natural layer of oil from your skin, leaving it unprotected and causing the moisture to leach out into the atmosphere. Deodorant and antibacterial soaps are particularly harsh to your skin. If your skin feels tight or dry after using a soap, then it is not a good soap to use. Use soaps that have added oils or fats that replenish the protective lipid layer. The process of scrubbing the soap—for example building up lather—also irritates and therefore dries your skin. It is far better to use a moisturizing soap that dispenses as a foam, so you don’t have to work up a lather or rub it into your skin, you simply apply it, allows the bubbles to work and then rinse it with lukewarm water. We recommend Arouge Gentle Foaming Face Wash.

Dehydration: Your skin reflects what is going on inside your body. In many respects your skin is an early warning system of potential internal problems. If you are dehydrated, your skin will become dehydrated. Make sure you drink plenty of water to keep your skin properly hydrated. Sweating can result in dehydration, so be sure that you replace lost fluids by drinking plenty of water.

Caffeine, Alcohol and Drugs: Caffeine, alcohol and many drugs are diuretics that cause you to urinate a lot. This frequent urination results in dehydration (described above). Alcohol and drugs can also leach necessary vitamins and minerals from your body, and therefore from your skin. Alcohol can also damage your skin by causing vasodilatation and damaging the microcirculation in your skin. If you look at frequent drinkers, you’ll notice that many have large bulbous noses with pronounced red veins; this is an example of the damage alcohol can cause to your skin over time.

Frequent or Vigorous Cleansing: As described in the section on soaps and detergents above, cleansing strips your skin of the naturally occurring oils called lipids that protect your skin and keep the moisture in. If you cleanse frequently or vigorously this effect is more pronounced. It is best to use moisturizing soaps that are dispensed as a foam to reduce the oil loss and the irritation from vigorous cleansing.

Reduced Production of Natural Oils: Your skin’s ability to produce the lipid oils that maintain proper moisture decreases as you age. It also decreases as women go through menopause, as a result of the hormonal changes. For these reasons, it is important to replenish your skins oils and moisture with skincare products.

Poor Diet: Your skin is a reflection of your health. If your body is deficient of certain vitamins or minerals, that will be reflected in your skin. Deficiencies of vitamin A or the B vitamins will show up in your skin. You also need to make sure that you are getting sufficient oils in your diet through nuts and or fish. See the “Diet Suggestions for Sufferers of Dry Skin section below for more details on diet.

Hypothyroid: Hypothyroidism describes a condition where your thyroid is less active than a normal thyroid. An inactive thyroid results in a decrease in production by sweat and oil glands. This lack of hydration and protective oil results in dry and rough skin.

Swimming: Chlorine and saltwater dry your skin. After swimming, you should rinse your skin and then moisturize it. One good way to do this is rinse your skin in the shower, turn off the shower, apply mineral oil (baby oil) and spread it over your skin, then rinse again.

Smoking: Smoking is so bad for your skin in so many ways that we’ve created a separate section below that deals with the various ways smoking harms your skin.


HOW DOES SMOKING AFFECT YOUR SKIN?
Smoking damages your skin in six unique ways as described below. If you smoke and have dry skin, STOP.

1. Reduced Microcirculation: Your body has arteries that feed into a system of smaller capillaries. These capillaries feed your tissues (skin) in a process called microcirculation. Smoking reduces your microcirculation, basically suffocating your skin from the inside. This is why smokers get smoker’s face, where their skin is wrinkled and leathery. Researchers say that for every 10 years of calendar age, a smoker’s skin gains the equivalent of 14 years. In other words, your skin ages almost one and a half times faster.

2. Studies of identical twins where only one smokes shows that the smokers have thinner skin, more gray hair and more facial wrinkling.

3. Smoking causes damage to collagen, the spongy fibers that cause your skin to remain full and moist. As your skin loses collagen, it sags and becomes wrinkled.

4. When smoking you squint your eyes to keep the smoke out, this causes lines around your eyes called crow’s feet. By puckering your lips to keep the cigarette in your mouth, you increase the lines around your lips.

5. MMP-1 is a carcinogen that leads to skin cancer. MMP-1 is created you’re your skin is exposed to too much sun. Studies now show that smoking causes MMP-1 to increase in your skin in places where the sun doesn’t shine (tested in the buttock area), so if you smoke AND tan, you are getting a double whammy of dangerous MMP-1 carcinogens.

6. The nicotine in tobacco is a diuretic that causes your body and your skin to dry out.

RISK FACTORS FOR DRY SKIN
• Age: As your skin ages it loses the ability to produce the oils that protect your skin
• Sex: Men’s skin tends to retain moisture better than women’s skin
• Sun exposure: The sun dries your skin. The more exposure you have to UV rays from the sun
   (or tanning salons) the more your skin will dry out.
• Poor eating habits: You skin is a reflection of your health. Poor eating habits will result in dry and
   blotchy skin.
• Frequent and aggressive bathing: This strips your skin of the oils that protect it and maintain
   the skin’s moisture.
• Smoking (see above)
• Drinking alcohol and coffee and taking drugs
• Licking your lips will lead to dry and cracked lips
• A dry environment caused by heating or air conditioning
• Thin and light colored skin tends to get drier than olive colored or thick skin.
• Swimming

BATHING TECHNIQUES TO AVOID DRY SKIN
1. When showering or bathing, use lukewarm water, not hot water. Only bathe for a brief period of time. If your skin is wrinkling this is a sign that (a) the water is too hot and (b) you are in for too long. You shouldn’t bathe more than once a day. You might also consider using bath oils or minerals to moisten and soften your skin. Mineral oil can be added to the bath or applied in the shower. However, you shouldn’t use mineral oil on your face because this skin is more sensitive. You should instead use a facial moisturizer like those from Arouge.

2. Avoid harsh soaps that can dry your skin. Deodorant soaps are particularly hard on the skin. If you need the deodorant factor in these soaps only apply it to the areas affected by odor, like the arm pits, feet and genitals.

3. Avoid scrubbing the skin, especially with a brush, hard sponge or washcloth.

4. When dry yourself after bathing, using a patting motion, don’t wipe your body, since this wiping motion removes the body’s natural oils. Also, wash your towels with a detergent that is free of artificial coloring and fragrance and don’t use any fabric softener or dryer sheets.

5. Following your bathing, apply moisturizers such as the Arouge skincare products.


THE LINK BETWEEN DRY SKIN AND SENSITIVE SKIN
When your skin becomes dry, it becomes much more sensitive to a wide variety of irritants. For more information on sensitive skin see this page, which is loaded with information on sensitive skin.

WHEN TO SEE A DERMATOLOGIST ABOUT YOUR DRY SKIN
If your dry skin persists even after taking the advice provided here it is time to see a dermatologist to make sure that it isn’t something more serious. If your dry skin manifests itself quickly, versus a long-term condition, it could be serious. If your skin is so dry and itchy that it interrupts your sleep you should consult a physician. If your scratching has created open sores or infection, you should seek medical help. If you have large areas of peeling skin (other than from a one-time sunburn) or scaling schedule an appointment to see your doctor right away.

MEDICAL COMPLICATIONS RESULTING FROM DRY SKIN
There are a variety of medical conditions that fall under the “Dry Skin” category. Some of these are simply based on lifestyle. Others are genetically inherited and still others are related to disease. Please consult the guidelines above about when to seek medical help if your condition comes on quickly or persists despite your best efforts to treat it. If your dry skin comes on quickly, you should also get your thyroid checked.

Dry skin can manifest itself in the following manners:

Psoriasis: If your skin becomes red and irritated and you have silvery scales that resemble dandruff, you may have psoriasis. More severe cases of psoriasis can result in cracking, bleeding and pussing blisters. Psoriasis can remain active for years and go into remission at times. Consult a doctor if you believe you have psoriasis.

Ichthyosis Vulgaris: This is referred to as the fish-scale disease because your skin develops thick dry fish-like scales. The scales are shaped like small polygons and can be colored somewhere between white and brown. It can also present on your scalp as flaky skin and the soles of your feet and palms of your hands as painful fissures.

Keratosis Pilaris: This presents as small bumps, almost like acne, on the upper arms, legs or buttocks. They almost look like sandpaper or goosebumps. They may be red and inflamed.

Asteatotic Eczema: This condition makes your skin look almost like a dry riverbed with dry cracked creases. You skin can become inflamed, red and bleed.

Folliculitis: This causes your hair follicles to be comes inflamed.

Cellulitis: Healthy skin keeps the bacteria out of your system, but when your skin cracks these bacteria can invade your system and cause a bacterial infection under your skin. It can cause swelling almost like a water balloon under your skin and pain. It can be very serious and you should seek treatment immediately.

MEDICATIONS TO TREAT DRY SKIN
There are skincare products you can use to treat the symptoms of dry skin. However, for more severe cases, you may want to use hydrocortisone cream, a topical steroid cream. You can buy this over the counter in low doses. Before you try hydrocortisone, you should try adding natural anti-inflammatories, in the form of essential fatty acids (EFA), to your diet. You can get these EFAs through fish high in omega-3 fatty acids. These include sardines, mackerel and salmon. You can also choose to take fish oil (cod liver oil) or cold pressed flax seed oil. These oils can help replenish and rejuvenate your skin from the inside.


LIFESTYLES CHANGES TO AVOID DRY SKIN
Some simple changes in your lifestyle can have a dramatic affect on the health of your skin. There are some generic things you can do like changing your bathing habits as described above. You can also use skin moisturizers to keep your skin properly moisturized. You may have to apply moisturizer several times a day, especially if it doesn’t provide deep penetration like the Arouge skincare products. You should always use a sunscreen or sunblock on areas of your skin that are exposed to the sun. You should stop smoking since that dries your skin and reduce your intake of alcohol and caffeine.

Buying a humidifier or placing a pan of water on the wood burning stove or exposed radiator can help humidify your environment and thereby moisturize your skin.

You can also treat your skin from the inside by altering your diet as described below.


DIET SUGGESTIONS FOR SUFFERERS OF DRY SKIN
If you have dry skin, it is because you have a low level of naturally produced oils on your skin. To address this problem, it is important to increase your intake of natural healthy oils, and to maintain a proper amount of healthy vitamins and minerals, while shunning those foods and drinks that leach these things from your body.

Increase Natural Oils: You can eat nuts and grains and avocados that are rich in natural oils. You can also take cold pressed flax seed oil as a supplement. Flax seed oil contains the essential fatty acids omega-3 alpha linolenic acid and omega-6 linoleic acid. Your body converts these oils into prostaglandins, which support skin health. You should also increase your intake of omega-3 fatty acids found in fatty fish such as sardines, mackerel and salmon. You can also take Omega-3 supplements.

Eats Foods Rich in Sulfur: Eggs, onions, garlic and asparagus are rich in natural sulfur that keeps your skin smooth and youthful looking.

Beta-Carotene: Each orange, yellow and red vegetables because they are high in beta-carotene, an anti-oxidant that is important for proper skin health and overall health.

Natural Proteins: Each beans and other vegetable-based protein sources.

Drink Plenty of Water: Internal hydration results in external hydration. Be sure to drink plenty of water. Experts recommend that you drink two quarts of water a day.

Natural Vitamins: Eat foods that are rich in vitamins A and C (e.g. carrots and apricots) and vitamin B (e.g. milk, cheese, green vegetables, yogurt and wheat germ).

Reduce Your Intake of Fried Foods: When oil is heated, it releases free radicals that are destructive to the skin and have been linked to various types of cancer.

Reduce Your Intake of Caffeine and Alcohol: These diuretics strip your body of the valuable vitamins and minerals described above. These then saps your skin of these valuable nutrients.


HOME REMEDIES TO TREAT DRY SKIN
There are a variety of home remedies for treating dry skin. Aloe Vera soothes, moistens and heals your skin, especially after sun exposure. Comfrey can be used in baths or facials to reduce skin irritation. Teas with chamomile, coltsfoot, fennel or peppermint help moisten and support healthy skin. You can add tea tree oil or mineral oils to your bath to replenish your skin’s natural oils. Night treatment with primrose oil is helpful to your skin. Getting sufficient sleep is also important to your skin’s health. Exercise also increases your microcirculation, which is critical to maintaining healthy skin.

Natural Facial Masks: You can make a mask of mashed avocado (rich in natural oil) and a drop or two of lemon juice and make a mask out of it. After 15-20 minutes remove the avocado mask and rinse your face with cool or lukewarm water. You can make a similar soothing mask out of a mashed (ripe) banana, and then rinse it off after 15-20 minutes with lukewarm water. However, you may find skin care products, such as those from Arouge, more convenient if you don’t want to smell like bananas or guacamole.


SELECTING SKINCARE PRODUCTS TO TREAT DRY SKIN
The most important way to treat your dry skin is to use moisturizers. While you can use many different moisturizers on your body, the skin on your face is more fine and sensitive. It is also exposed to the sun and elements. For these reasons it is important to use a high quality skincare product on your face. We recommend natural moisturizers that use nanotechnology to increase penetration of the moisture into the deeper layers of your skin for longer lasting moisturization. Arouge provides a line of natural skincare products that uses NanoMoisture™ for deep penetration and lasting moisturization.

Natural: Your skincare products should be based on natural and naturally extracted ingredients not man-made chemicals. The ceramides should be bio-ceramides, not man-made ceramides.

Moisturizing: Your skincare products should all contain a moisturizer, especially the cleansers. Avoid skincare products that include alcohol because it undermines the moisturizing agents, resulting in dry irritated skin.

No Irritants: Your skincare products shouldn’t include artificial coloring, perfume, surfactants or parabens which can irritate your skin.

Gentle Application: No matter how friendly a skincare product is to your skin, if the application requires a great deal of rubbing, it is going to irritate your skin. Arouge facial cleanser is dispensed as a foam so you don’t have to scrub it into your face. Arouge’s makeup remover actually lifts the makeup from your face without the need to rub and irritate your skin. Arouge’s toner spray can be sprayed right over your makeup throughout the day to deliver much needed moisture without smudging your makeup.

Arouge was specifically designed for dry and sensitive skin. It fits all of these criteria. In fact, Arouge was originally designed for dermatologists in Japan and dermatologists recommend Arouge more than any other skincare products in Japan.

Testimonials

Amanda Metzker - Houston, TX I tried the Arouge samples and it soaked right into my face, leaving it fresh and moist, but not oily. I'm totally hooked on Arouge and I got a few of my friends to use it too. Maricel Paulino - Concord, CA I have very sensitive skin. My usual night time facial care routine used to leave my skin red and irritated. With Arouge, there is no irritation at all. After using Arouge, I can't imagine using any other skin care products. Lisa Nguyen - Charlotte, NC I am so grateful to have discovered Arouge. It is the one product that I have found that truly does penetrate, moisturize & soften my dry skin. My hands, heels & elbows, at long last, no longer are so dry they itch, crack and bleed. They are now soft to the touch, as well as being smooth. Theresa Vichit-Vadikan - Orlando, FL After a couple of years of neglecting my skin, I'm amazed at how simple it is to have youthful, vibrant and healthy-feeling skin. I really love what Arouge has done for me.

Arouge provides a comprehensive suite of skincare products, CLICK HERE to see the complete line of products, which includes:

• GentleLift Makeup Remover    • Delicate Foaming Face Wash    • Skin Balancing Toner Mist (For Dry and Sensitive Skin)    • Skin Balancing Toner Mist (For Normal Skin)    • Skin Silkening Treatment Gel    • Moisture Replenishing Cream    • Lumina Skin Brightener    • Deep Hydration Night Cream

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