Dry skin, in a sense, is a skin condition that troubles many people's lives. What causes dry skin?
Causes include both internal factors and external influences. For instance, aging reduces the skin's ability to retain moisture and decreases sebum production, leading to dehydrated skin. Additionally, insufficient sebum secretion can cause dry skin and other dermatological issues.The skin's surface is protected by a sebum film that helps maintain proper moisture levels. When sebum production decreases, the skin cannot form this protective film adequately, leading to dryness. Insufficient sleep and fatigue are also contributing factors to dry skin and other skin conditions. Lack of sleep combined with fatigue significantly impacts the body, impairing blood circulation. When health is out of balance, the skin loses vitality, becoming prone to dryness and roughness.Many people around us pursue extreme dieting or unbalanced eating habits, which can also lead to dry skin. When the skin lacks sufficient nutrients, it loses elasticity and moisture, becoming dry and fragile. This condition is known as xerosis.
Of course, climatic factors also contribute to skin conditions like dryness. For instance, as temperatures drop during harsh winters, sebum and sweat production rapidly decrease. Simultaneously, excessively dry air causes moisture to evaporate from the skin's surface, making it rougher and less resilient.Beyond temperature drops, other factors include excessively high indoor heating, bathing with overly hot water, using harsh soaps or cleansers, and hormonal changes—such as reduced estrogen production after menopause in women—which can also trigger skin conditions like dryness.