What Causes Dry Skin?
Understanding the root causes of dry skin is essential for effective treatment and prevention. Dry skin can result from environmental factors, natural aging, underlying health conditions, or lifestyle choices.
Weather & Climate
Cold air, low humidity, and harsh environmental conditions strip moisture from your skin, especially during winter months.
Learn MoreAging Process
As we age, skin produces less natural oils and becomes thinner, leading to increased dryness and sensitivity.
Learn MoreMedical Conditions
Eczema, psoriasis, thyroid disorders, diabetes, and other health conditions can cause persistent dry skin.
Learn MoreLifestyle Factors
Hot showers, harsh soaps, frequent hand washing, and dehydration contribute significantly to skin dryness.
Learn MoreUnderstanding the Skin Barrier
To understand what causes dry skin, it's important to understand how the skin's protective barrier works:
The skin barrier (stratum corneum) is like a brick wall:
- Bricks: Dead skin cells (corneocytes)
- Mortar: Lipids (ceramides, cholesterol, fatty acids)
- Water: Natural moisturizing factors (NMFs) that attract and hold moisture
When this barrier is compromised by any of the factors below, water escapes more easily (increased transepidermal water loss), resulting in dry, flaky, uncomfortable skin.
Quick Overview: Main Causes
Environmental Causes
- Low humidity (especially winter)
- Cold temperatures
- Wind exposure
- Air conditioning and heating systems
- Sun damage and UV exposure
Biological Causes
- Natural aging process
- Hormonal changes (menopause, thyroid)
- Genetic predisposition
- Reduced sebum production
Medical Causes
- Atopic dermatitis (eczema)
- Psoriasis
- Ichthyosis
- Hypothyroidism
- Diabetes
- Kidney disease
- Malnutrition
Lifestyle & Behavioral Causes
- Hot, prolonged showers or baths
- Harsh soaps and cleansers
- Over-washing or excessive scrubbing
- Not moisturizing regularly
- Dehydration (insufficient water intake)
- Poor diet lacking essential fatty acids
- Smoking and excessive alcohol
- Chlorinated pool water
Multiple Factors Often Combine
It's important to note that dry skin rarely has a single cause. Most people experience dry skin due to a combination of factors. For example:
A 55-year-old woman living in a cold climate (environmental + biological) who takes hot showers daily and uses harsh soap (lifestyle factors) is at much higher risk for severe dry skin than someone with just one of these risk factors.
Explore Each Cause in Detail
Click on any category above to learn more about specific causes, how they affect your skin, and what you can do about them.