A lack of moisture is generally the drive of wry skin . But what causes that lack of moisture ? When a standard moisturizer does n’t seem to relieve your dry skin , there could be other , more surprising causes .

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But if there ’s not enough weewee in this top layer of cells , which can happen if the protective oils are belittle , dry hide could result .

10 Surprising Causes of Dry Skin

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Your first thought when you experience ironical skin may be to pile on moisturizer , but it might be more beneficial to get to the bottom of what ’s causing the dryness in the first place .

10 Surprising Dry Skin Causes

Here are 10 of the more surprising causes of dry skin .

1. Fragrance Can Cause Skin Irritation

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tick off the ingredients list for the word “ fragrance , ” and think that “ fragrance - liberal ” is your acquaintance . Body lotions and pick may do more harm than good when packed with perfume . Read labels carefully . Lavender oil and other botanical oils have born preservative properties and are used in cosmetics that may still be label “ fragrance - destitute . ”

2. Soap May Sap Moisture From the Skin and Scalp

“ Many soaps , detergent , and shampoo deduct moisture from your skin and scalp , as they are formulate to remove crude oil , ” saysGretchen Frieling , MD , a dermatopathologist in Newton , Massachusetts .

It ’s authoritative to carefully choose face wash , torso washes , and laundry detergent . A moisturizing dead body wash is better than a harsh bar soap , saysJeffrey Benabio , MD , a skin doctor at Kaiser Permanente in San Diego .

Joel Schlessinger , MD , a dermatologist and enhancive operating surgeon in Omaha , Nebraska , discourage against rough detergent — and even fabric softener — if you have dry skin .

10 Surprising Causes of Dry Skin

3. Genetics Can Affect Your Risk for Dry Skin

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If you ’ve always had ironic peel or if it runs in your family , it ’s essential that you ’re diligent with daily moisturization . “ Look for ceramides and lipoid in moisturizers , which help build andreinforce the tegument barrier , ” saysJoshua Zeichner , MD , the director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City .

4. Hard Water Can Prevent Moisturizers From Absorbing

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Those minerals can leave a plastic film on skin that causes dryness . “ grueling alloy turn the oils on hide into a thick substance that plugs glands , aggravates conditions likeacneandrosacea , and prevents moisturizers from being absorbed into the tegument , ” saysDennis Gross , MD , a skin doctor in New York City .

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5. Acne Medications and Retinol Speed Skin Cell Turnover, Causing Dryness

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The best oftenness will depend on your specific hide character , according to the American Academy of Dermatology ( AAD ) . Take burning , desquamation , and flake as house you ask to stop using the product , Dr. Frieling enjoin . “ This is not something to play judge games with and utilize run and error , ” she notes . Schedule an date with your skin doctor and bestow the product with you so the physician can judge it and check that it ’s right for your peel .

6. Dry Air, Indoors or Out, Can Increase Symptoms of Dry Skin

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7. Zealous Handwashing Can Lead to Redness and Irritation

“ Some people with dry hide just wash their hands constantly , ” Forman Taub says . That wo n’t assist the dryness because lave your hand very frequently can leave to ironic , cracked skin . This can be a heavy issue for people who work in industries that take frequent handwashing , such as health care .

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8. Long, Hot Showers Can Contribute to Skin Dehydration

9. Aging Can Increase Skin Dryness

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“ As we get older , our peel create less oil and nonplus drier , ” Frieling says . For womanhood , it could also be due to the   hormone changes associated withmenopause , concord to theAAD . The fix ? Moisturize every sidereal day ( or multiple times a day if needed ) , recommends theAAD . Marchbein says to appear for a moisturizer that contains ceramides , humectants ( such as hyaluronic window pane or glycerol ) , and petrolatum . These ingredients serve fill again drop off moisture and speedily restore the skin roadblock , she says .

10. Certain Medical Conditions Can Cause Dry Skin

pelt upshot such aspsoriasisand eczema can make your skin more prone to dryness , Frieling says . But dry skin could also indicate something seemingly unrelated , such as diabetes , thyroid disease , kidney disease , malnutrition , or HIV , according to theAAD . So , how might you know if the dryness is the outcome of something run - of - the - manufacturing plant like the atmospheric condition or something more serious ?

Frieling say to be on the lookout for ablaze sphere , crust , acute itch , hyperpigmentation , and rough , flaky , or scaly piece on the cutis and take those as a hint it ’s prison term to visit a doctor . Once you ’ve nailed down the root cause for the dryness , your doctor can help you determine the proper treatment .

10 Surprising Causes of Dry Skin

The Takeaway

Dry skin come about when moisture in the top layer of the peel is lost due to various reason , including genetics , harsh soaps , and dry air , among others . turn to these issue can help restore your hide ’s lifelike hydration . To meliorate dry skin , strain adding a humidifier to your home or apply a fragrance - free moisturizer daily .

Resources We Trust

Susan Bard , MD , is a clinical instructor in the department of dermatology at Weill Cornell Medicine   and an appurtenant clinical instructor in the department of dermatology atMount Sinaiin New York City . Her professional interests admit Mohs micrographic surgical operation , cosmetic and laser subroutine , and immunodermatology .

She is a   adjective dermatologist with the American Board of Dermatology and a fellow of the American College of Mohs Surgery .

Dr. Bard has written legion account book chapters and articles for many prominent compeer - reviewed journal , and authored the textbookThe Laser Treatment of Vascular Lesions .

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