What is Dry Skin?

Dry skin is a result of skin losing moisture & can feel uncomfortable. Learn what causes dry skin & several ways to treat it.

What is Dry Skin?

Dry skin is a condition that causes skin to itch, crack and scale. Although it is not usually serious, it is uncomfortable. Learn more about what causes dry skin and what is good for dry skin.

More About What Dry Skin Is:

Dry skin is the result of skin losing moisture which then leads to dry, itchy, cracked and scaly skin. In most cases, dry skin is not a serious condition, however it can lead to uncomfortable feelings of tightness or itchiness, which can be frustrating and unpleasant. Skin can be naturally dry, but even oily skin can become susceptible to dryness anywhere on the body, which is why it is especially important to look after your skin.

The most common signs of dry skin are:

Skin that feels tight - particularly after getting wet whilst bathing or swimming
Itchiness
Peeling, flaking or scaling
Reddened skin
Fine lines, cracks or deep cracks that can occasionally bleed
Roughness in both appearance and feeling

Dry skin can be caused by either environmental and lifestyle factors or skin conditions. Skin conditions that can cause dry skin include eczema, psoriasis and type 2 diabetes. If your dry skin is a result of a skin condition, it is best to consult your GP for their advice.

What Causes Dry Skin?

There are a number of things that can cause dry skin, some you can control and some you unfortunately can’t. If you’ve ever wondered “Why do I have dry skin?” then one of these causes of dry skin might be the answer:

1. Seasons and weather:

Dry skin in winter is relatively common as the temperature and moisture in the air drops. Less moisture in the air means more is drawn away from skin.

2. Bath or shower temperature:

Although there is nothing quite like taking a nice warm bath or shower, this can actually cause dry skin. This is because hot water can irritate skin, disrupting its natural moisture balance and stripping away natural oils that help to keep it hydrated.

3. Harsh chemicals, soaps or improper skincare products:

Poorly formulated cleansing products can actually cause irritation to skin and remove natural oils that are essential to keep it moisturised.

4. Not using a moisturiser:

Skin goes through a lot each day and is exposed to a variety of factors that can cause it to dry out. Using a moisturiser with antioxidants for skin will help to keep it protected and hydrated throughout the day.

5. Air humidity:

Lower levels of humidity are a cause of dry skin because dry air draws moisture away from the top layers of skin. Indoor heating units such as radiators that are on for longer in the winter can cause the air humidity to drop.

6. Age:

As skin starts to age its ability to retain moisture declines. This is because the barrier naturally becomes weaker, allowing more moisture to escape.

7. Underlying skin conditions:

These include conditions such as eczema and psoriasis where dry skin is a symptom.

What is Good for Dry Skin?

In most cases, dry skin can be remedied at home through changes to your skincare routine or lifestyle. Here are a few remedies for dry skin:

1. Avoid long and hot showers or baths:

To help remedy dry skin, try to shower with cooler water that won’t cause skin to stress and try to limit your shower time to 5-10 minutes. Remember to gently pat your skin dry with a towel as well, instead of scrubbing hard.

2. Use gentle skin products that contain natural ingredients:

Natural ingredients for skin boast many wonderful benefits, one of them being that they are much kinder than their synthetic counterparts. Using a product such as Florena Cleansing Bar that contains 100% ingredients of natural origin to wash your face will be much kinder than a cleanser that contains soap.

3. Raise the humidity:

This is particularly good for dry skin in winter when humidity is low. Use a humidifier set to 60% to add moisture to the air to prevent skin from drying out.

4. Moisturise using day & night cream:

Moisturisers are essential for dry skin as they lock in moisture and form a seal to stop it escaping. There are also differences between day and night cream, so make sure you have both in your skincare routine.

Using Florena 24h Hydrating Cream each day will prepare your skin to face daily challenges whilst keeping it hydrated, soft and smooth. Florena Nourishing Night Cream will provide intense moisture whilst you sleep so you can awaken to revitalised skin.

5. Wear fabrics that are kind to skin:

Fabrics such as wool can cause irritation and dry skin whereas cotton and silk allow skin to breathe. Also look to use hypoallergenic laundry detergent.

6. Drinking more water:

Dry skin is essentially dehydrated skin, so taking on board plenty of fluids and hydrating from the inside out is good for dry skin.

7. Wearing gloves to protect dry skin on hands:

Hands are usually the most exposed areas of our body and are one of the first places we notice dry skin. Wearing gloves outdoors or whilst doing household chores that involve cleaning chemicals or water will help to stop them drying out.

8. Treat yourself to the occasional face mask:

Using a face mask 1-2 times a week is a fantastic way to give skin an intense moisture boost. Florena 24h Hydrating Face Mask is a 5 minute treatment that provides rich pampering and hydration for softer and smoother skin.

If you have already tried the above remedies for dry skin and it still persists, we would advise you to contact your GP. Depending on your situation, they might be able to provide you with prescriptions and expert advice.

What is Good for Dry Skin as a Result of Age?

Although aging is a completely natural process in which we all experience, it can, however, come with it’s frustrating aspects! It might be the case that you are only now experiencing dry skin as a result of skin maturing. Where your skin was once youthful and able to retain moisture, it now allows water to escape, resulting in dryness. If this is something you are experiencing, look to include products that contain hyaluronic acid for skin as part of your skin care routine.

Hyaluronic acid is essential to keeping skin hydrated. Our body produces it naturally, but as we age the amount it produces decreases. You can replenish levels of hyaluronic acid by using Florena Anti-Wrinkle Day Cream daily, as well as Florena Face Firming Mask once or twice a week. Your skin will feel soft, smooth and rejuvenated alongside visibly reducing fine lines and wrinkles in 2 weeks.

Florena Natural Products for Skin with Fermented Ingredients

Each one of our nourishing, natural skincare products contain a minimum of 99.46% ingredients of natural origin, have vegan formulas and are certified COSMOS Natural by the Soil Association. Our ingredients also undergo the process of fermentation to further boost their efficacy for nurturing and beautifying results.

Another one of our core values as a skincare brand, is that we take sustainability seriously and are committed to looking after our planet. This is why we use 97.5% recycled plastic in our jars* and at least 70% recycled paper for our boxes. We also opt for smaller jars, without compromising on the ml per product (50ml, which is market standard) to reduce packaging waste. Discover more about our commitment to sustainable skincare.

*excluding caps

What is Dry Skin?