Skin SOS: What is dry skin and why does it matter?

Welcome to the first in the Skin SOS series, where I'll be tackling common skin conditions without the 'fluff' and helping you find solutions for your skin.

Dry Skin is something so many people deal with at some point in their lives. 'Dry' is a skin type but it is also a skin condition characterised by symptoms and feelings that many of us come across on a regular basis. Dry skin as both a skin type and condition are different from dehydrated skin and there are ways to tell the difference.

A dry skin type usually lacks oil in the skin, whereas a dry skin condition and dehydrated skin are more commonly caused by a lack of water in the skin. As a result, you can in fact have both dry AND dehydrated skin.

Symptoms can appear similar; however, the causes are different.

For most people, dry skin is not usually a serious skin condition, but it is an uncomfortable one.

Having a dry skin condition can be caused by environmental factors such as the weather, low moisture in the air and so on, therefore dry skin condition and dehydrated skin are affected by external factors. I spoke about some tips for getting moisture back into your skin in my last article which you can read here.

Physiologically, dry skin condition is caused by the impairment of skin barrier function. In other words, your skin barrier isn’t working as it perhaps should. Having a dry skin type on the other hand where oils and lipids are lacking can affect the skin in a different way.

What is the skin barrier?

The skin barrier is located in the top layer of the skin which is called the stratum corneum. It consists of an oily film called the hydrolipidic barrier and an additional barrier. This is where the skin’s natural oils live. The main function for this outermost layer of skin is to protect the body and preserve the skin from excessive transepidermal water loss (TEWL). The other function of the stratum corneum is to prevent the penetration of compounds and substances into the body.

What is TEWL?

Transepidermal Water Loss also commonly known as TEWL, is the loss of water that evaporates into the environment through the skin. It is the rate at which the skin loses moisture. It also varies from person to person for a number of reasons. Mostly, it isn’t something that the majority of people pay attention to as it is a passive process. It isn’t noticed much until it begins to happen more than it should.

Is dry skin the same as dehydrated skin?

In reality, no.

Dry skin = lack of oil, Dehydrated skin = lack of water and Moisture = The presence of liquid

What are the signs and symptoms of A Dry Skin Type and Condition & Dehydrated Skin?

Signs and symptoms are dependent on several different factors. These factors can include age, location, overall health, habits, lifestyle choices and genetics. Symptoms can also be determined by the cause. Some signs and symptoms can include:

• A feeling of skin tightness after coming into contact with water especially after showering
• Skin texture, skin that feels and/or looks rough
• Grey or ashy skin (don’t let those ankles, knees and elbows show you up people! LOL)
• Flaking
• Scaling 
• Peeling
• Cracks
• Redness
• Stinging
• Itching
• Fine lines
• Wrinkles or sagginess

These symptoms are generally representative of problematic skin and can be experienced at any point in time.

Why does it matter?

Although dry skin (for those who do not have a dry skin type) is usually temporary, its causes give clues on changes and adaptations we need to make to our lifestyle, environments or habits. Ensuring that your skin has enough oil and water matters because a continuous lack can give way to other chronic skin issues. Premature ageing of the skin can also be a result of having skin that is continuously lacking water and oil and so,

Prevention is better than cure. 

Ensuring that your skin has the correct balance of water and oil is essential to good skin health.

Dry skin also impacts our decisions about skincare, clothing, activities and other lifestyle choices. Skin requires unique and specific care. It's a very personal and individual concept for each human being. If you are experiencing dry and/or dehydrated skin, understand that there are things that can be done to improve your skin. It requires a combination of education, understanding and correct action.

This is only the tip of the iceberg when trying to understand dry skin. There is still so much to uncover and so I intend to continue to break down barriers, misunderstanding and misconceptions about dry skin so stay tuned!

For anyone who requires help with their skin or anything that I have written in the article above, please send me a message and we can have a further discussion about how I may be able to help you.