The most common locations for dry skin are areas of the body exposed to the elements such as the face, hands and feet. Dryness of skin can be caused by oversoaking the skin in water, prolonged exposure to wind or sun, or spending many hours in a home, office or building that lacks a humidifier. Additionally, harsh soaps, detergents and other cleaning solutions can remove the essential oils from skin, rendering it dry and hard. When we speak of harsh soaps, we refer to deodorant soaps, abrasive soaps and soaps which do not contain moisturizing agents. Poor nutritional status and the aging process can also cause a decrease of the skins natural secretions, leading to chapping, fissures, cracks and dryness.
Skin can become so dry that it has a tendency to crack or fissure.
These are medical conditions in which some of the body's skin cells malfunction, leading to dry, scaling, itchy and flaky skin. Treatment of dry skin begins with avoidance of the offending components such as overexposure to sun, wind, strong soaps, dry air, oversoaking skin in water and the daily use of a deep moisturizing skin cream . A skin cream that is enriched with vitamins is especially helpful. There is much clinical evidence that the use of vitamin enriched and deeply moisturizing skin cream can help restore the skin to its natural state.