Dehydration is a temporary condition in which there is not enough moisture in the surface layers of the epidermis. Due to a lack of sebum, which retains fluid, dry skin can often be dehydrated. But you can dry out both the normal and the fatty type. In running cases, this state will be called Xeroderma / MSD Manuals xeroderma, or xerosis, is excessive dryness and peeling of the skin.

The dermatologist is more concerned about dehydration. For dry skin type , care is required that will help to moisturize it and lock moisture in it. And dehydration is not a normal condition, but a pathology. It can and should be corrected.

What other signs indicate dehydration of the skin

Symptoms of dehydration can manifest with varying intensity. On the face it will be Dry skin / Mayo Clinic :

feeling of tightness;
itching;
redness;
increased sensitivity;
strengthening of existing wrinkles and the appearance of thin new ones.

What can threaten skin dehydration

Usually this condition is just unpleasant. But occasionally there are Dry skin / Mayo Clinic complications:

This can provoke the debut of eczema, but only in people prone to it.
If bacteria get into the cracks, an infection will develop. Of course, this applies to situations where the protective mechanisms of the skin do not work well.

Why does the skin on the face peel off most often

Peeling begins when the upper layers of the epidermis lose water. This can happen for various reasons.

Dry indoor air

Central heating, stoves, heaters and fireplaces are dried in winter Dry skin / Mayo Clinic air, as well as air conditioners in summer.

Low humidity outside

If there is not enough water in the atmospheric air, then the skin loses it Dry skin / Mayo Clinic more intense. In a temperate climate, dryness will be in winter, especially in windy weather, and in hot desert countries — all year round.

Washing with hot water

Healthy skin is protected J. van Smeden, J. A. Bouwstra. Stratum Corneum Lipids: Their Role for the Skin Barrier Function in Healthy Subjects and Atopic Dermatitis Patients / Current Problems in Dermatology keratinized cells of the epidermis, which can be represented as bricks. And the gaps between them are filled with special lipids, like cement. Constant exposure to hot water injures the lipids of the stratum corneum and causes dryness.

Excessive cleansing

It's the same as with hot water. If the skin is constantly rubbed or cleaned with excessively aggressive means, such as scrubs and strong peels, then the protective properties weaken Dry skin / Mayo Clinic , the water evaporates and peeling begins.

Inappropriate care

Skin care is selected Dermatologist’s Top Tips For Relieving Dry Skin / AAD based on its type and current state. If any type is dehydrated, then it is necessary to temporarily remove substances that destroy surface lipids or provoke allergies. These are:

acids;
retinoids;
products with perfumes and dyes.

When the lipid layer is restored, they can be gradually returned. The more oily the skin, the more active ingredients in a higher concentration can be used in care. However, this rule does not apply to alcohol: it can only be in a hand sanitizer.

Remember that the wishes of the skin change depending on the time of year and other factors. For example, in summer she may like gel moisturizing , and in winter — a thick cream.

Skin diseases

In some diseases, skin protection initially does not work. This happens Xeroderma / MSD Manuals with atopic dermatitis, when very dry skin needs not just hydration, but the restoration of the lipid layer.

Peeling can also occur due to other skin diseases, such as psoriasis, eczema, ichthyosis.

Excessive exposure to the sun

UV light and so damages Dry Skin / Cleveland Clinic the skin and gradually dries it. But if burns appear, the liquid evaporates even faster.

Other diseases

Dry skin happens Dry Skin / Cleveland Clinic with exacerbation of allergies, diabetes and kidney pathologies.

Side effect of treatment

Some people's skin becomes Dry skin / Mayo Clinic dry due to chemotherapy, dialysis or medications taken.

Aging

With age sebaceous glands work Dry Skin / Cleveland Clinic worse. Therefore, the amount of sebum decreases, which helps to retain moisture. Due to lack of water, fat cells and collagen fibers suffer, and the skin becomes thinner.

How to deal with peeling on the face

To avoid 1. Dry Skin / Cleveland Clinic
2. Dry skin / Mayo Clinic dehydration, it is often enough to adjust the lifestyle and choose the right care:

Avoid dehydration and drink before you feel thirsty.
Put a humidifier at home so that the air does not dry out.
Clean the skin with a product suitable for your type.
Do not overuse hot baths.
After washing, blot your face, but do not rub.
Apply the cream immediately after washing to restore the lipid layer and "seal" the water.
Avoid cosmetics with aggressive components if there is peeling or you feel that tightness and discomfort have appeared.
If dehydration is very severe, do not use a moisturizer, but special ingredients. These are products with lipids that resemble your own. They replace the damaged protective layer.
Avoid the active sun from 11:00 to 16:00.
Always wear sunscreen when you go outside.
Quit smoking because this habit dries the skin and makes it dull.

When to see a doctor

In most cases, flaky skin reacts well to changes in care and lifestyle. However, sometimes the reasons are deeper.

Be sure to consult Dry skin / Mayo Clinic with a dermatologist or cosmetologist if:

peeling does not go away, despite all your efforts;
the skin becomes inflamed and painful;
peeling spots itch a lot, and you can't sleep and do the usual things;
you scratch so actively that scratches or open wounds appear;
areas of flaky skin increase in size and begin to spread throughout the body;
the skin becomes dry and thick against the background of cancer treatment.

In this case, the doctor will most likely recommend a steroid ointment and, possibly, prescribe an additional examination.