Dryness

the top extrinsic causes of dry skin

Extrinsic refers to external factors that impact skin health, such as our environment and lifestyle. Below are some of the major extrinsic causes of dry skin.

Weather / Environmental elements

Cold winds and low temperatures can dry out skin, depriving it of balanced levels of oils, and contributing to premature ageing.

Prolonged exposure to the sun causes water to evaporate from skin. Forced air heating also dries out skin: warm, dry air acts like a sponge, soaking up moisture from everything it touches.

Lifestyle

The trend of low-fat or fat-free diets can deprive our bodies of skin-friendly Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs) critical to all parts of a healthy functioning body. They help protect against water loss within cells and throughout skin, helping to prevent dryness, keeping skin supple and hydrated. An EFA deficiency can result in chronic itching, dryness, scaling, and thinning.

Smoking can have a drying effect on skin: it drains skin and body of vitamins A and C and constricts blood vessels (which equates to less blood flow) – meaning smoking is somewhat like suffocating skin from the inside.

Excess intake of alcoholic beverages and certain medications (such as nasal decongestants) can also contribute to dry skin.

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dry skin and sensitivity

While there are many triggers to skin sensitisation, one of the biggest consequences of dry skin is an increase in sensitivity. Dry skin is a precursor to sensitised skin because when skin is dry, it’s depleted of its natural protective lipid barrier. This lowers skin’s defenses against environmental assaults that can cause a sensitised reaction in skin, such as itching and redness.

seasonal effects on dry skin

Similar to the seasons, skin goes through its own fluctuations. Combine nature’s weather cycle with air conditioning and forced air heating devices, and you have skin that’s constantly under assault.

Cold winds and low temperatures can dry out skin, depriving it of balanced levels of oils, contributing to dryness, sensitivity, and premature ageing.

Prolonged exposure to the sun causes water to evaporate from skin, which is why skin that has recently been burned or tanned requires more moisturisation than unexposed areas. Forced air heating also dries out skin: warm, dry air acts like a sponge, soaking up moisture from everything it touches.

To help skin stay healthy with the seasons, book in to see us for a free no obligation Face Mapping consultation about modifying your skin care regimen accordingly. Chances are just a few product updates (for example, going from a moisturiser to a more emollient cream) can keep skin healthy year-round.