Our skin dries out more quickly, especially in the cold season. The cold, dry air is only one of many causes of dry skin. How xeroderma develops, what really helps against it and when a skin check makes sense.
In winter, many people experience dry skin on their faces or hands. No wonder—the dry air in heated rooms, combined with the cold, dry air outside, robs our skin of a lot of moisture.
A typical symptom of dry skin is flaking, which occurs when the outermost layer of skin sheds more slowly than usual, leading to an unpleasant feeling of tightness. It is also referred to as xeroderma or dry skin. It occurs when the skin’s natural oil and moisture balance is disrupted or overtaxed.
Healthy, normal skin is soft and elastic thanks to its water content. The outermost layer of the skin contains lipids that reduce evaporation. This helps retain moisture in the deeper layers of the skin and protects the skin from water loss. If there isn’t enough oil, the skin dries out more quickly—especially in dry air, such as in winter or in cold regions.
The Most Common Causes of Dry Skin
In addition to the cold season, there are many other causes of dry skin. Age plays an important role: Starting in the second half of one’s life, the skin’s moisture content decreases. Sebum production gradually decreases, and the skin retains less moisture.
However, dry skin can also simply be genetic. For example, low sebum production in the skin may run in the family.
Christian Greis, a senior physician at the Department of Dermatology at the University Hospital of Zurich, cites another common cause that sounds paradoxical at first: water. “Water doesn’t actually moisturize the skin; rather, it strips away oils. People who frequently take long, hot showers or baths are more prone to dry skin,” says Greis. “If you then use conventional or even harsh soap, this also strips the skin of important oils, causing it to lose even more moisture.”
In addition, there are less common causes. These include conditions such as atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, and diabetes, as well as medications such as those used to lower blood lipid levels. “Put simply, one of their side effects is that they also reduce the skin’s oil content,” says Greis.
Good to know: In the summer or in hot regions where humidity is high, the skin does release less moisture. However, your skin can still become dry—especially if you’re constantly swimming in saltwater and sunbathing during a beach vacation.
Why Some Parts of the Body Are More Affected Than Others
Dry skin occurs particularly often on the face, hands, and feet, as well as on the elbows, forearms, lower legs, and shins. There are several reasons for this: “For one thing, certain areas of the skin—such as the face or hands—are more frequently exposed to external factors; for another, the skin is thinner in some places and therefore more vulnerable, or it has fewer sebaceous glands, which means it produces less oil,” Greis explains. These factors may occur individually or in combination.
