Dry skin - the hardly noticed widespread disease

Trockene Haut – die kaum beachtete Volkskrankheit

Common diseases are complaints that affect a large part of the population.Back pain is one of them, as are obesity, high blood pressure and diabetes.If you only start from the numbers of those affected, then - don't laugh! – dry skin should also be included.According to a dermatological study from 2020, around 30 percent of Germans suffer from an epidermis that suffers from a significant lack of moisture.But.and that's the real joke: far too few people care.Dry skin is considered a venial, rarely noticeable problem.Comparable to a torn fingernail or a small wound.Motto: Go away again.But: Not doing anything about dry skin is like parking a luxury car on the street at any time of the year and expecting that the paintwork will not be damaged.Or, maybe this comparison is even better: It's like never watering roses and still expecting juicy red petals.Dry skin has the function of a constantly open front door: it invites in unwanted guests.Bacteria and germs can penetrate the tissue and trigger diseases.All of that doesn't have to be.Therefore, it is now high time that we dealt with the common disease "dry skin".

Skin barrier protection

Let's go back to the example of the luxury car for a moment.(Because that's what our skin should be worth to us.) The many layers of paint applied to the well-formed metal now stand for the three layers of our skin.At the very top, as a kind of defensive layer, is the horny layer together with the protective skin barrier.Said barrier binds water and lipids (fatty substances) and is therefore the final bastion against external influences.Now it should be clear why it is so important to take care of the paint, pardon me.to take care of the skin.

Itching and tightness

To get closer to the topic, perhaps first the information on how dry orextremely dry skin.Dermatological expertise is not required for this.A look in the mirror is enough.If the tissue is pale and looks tired, that's a first sign.Quasi the announcement of the coming problems.In addition, there is usually a feeling of tension or a slight itching.If scales or reddened areas form, if the cheeks are covered with thin lines, then the tissue has already been damaged.However, you only have a longer treatment path ahead of you when the skin looks like cracked parchment.Inflammation often develops at this stage; Neurodermatitis, psoriasis or eczema are no longer uncommon.But luckily it's a long way to go.Dry skin is a gradual effect and does not appear from one day to the next.

A scaly misery

Before we come to (fortunately many) ways to give the skin a glow again, to cure it, we want to sensitize here to what triggers dry skin in the first place.Unsurprisingly, there isn't ONE deciding factor.The reasons are varied, the causes come from within, but mostly the external influences are to blame for the scaly misery.First of all there is wind and weather.Sure, everyone knows the consequences of moving from winter air to the warmth of an apartment or office.The dry air from the heating removes moisture from the skin.It is more surprising that the blood vessels narrow at low temperatures and the tissue is less well supplied with blood.

Sweat as a risk factor

At the other end of the scale is summer - and with it comes the loss of fluids through increased sweating.The skin suffers and needs to be protected.Who thinks now, ah, summer.is a good keyword - after all, you have to use a UV blocker in strong sunlight, which is at least half right.In any case, in the summer months you are more likely to be exposed to the risk of sunburn, which in turn can strain the skin down to the deeper layers.But the power of the red planet causes problems 365 days a year, the radiation is only reduced to a limited extent in bad weather periods.In other words: a blocker is mandatory every day of the year.

Peeling against skin flakes

Let's talk about water.Basically important – because it cleans or moisturizes.But as is so often the case: the quantity makes the poison.Water also ensures that the tissues are leached, fats and moisture are flushed out.This happens when you take a (too long) bath or shower, but also when you clean too much.Anyone who still uses normal washing lotions with emulsifiers binds the fats in the skin again - and washes them out, as it were.This permanently damages the skin's protective barrier.And there are consequences again.A real vicious circle begins when the resulting dry skin cells are removed with a peeling.The so-called horny layer becomes thinner and thinner.This is then practically an invitation for fungi and bacteria to colonize the skin.

Alcohol, smoke & fast food

There were plenty of external influences.But skin health can be compromised by at least as many reasons from within.The classic that really everyone knows: not drinking enough.Basically, but especially in summer.The skin needs replenishment of liquid from within.This is all the more true for athletes.If you sweat, you lose a lot of fluid and salts.It is obligatory to return both to the body.The no-gos - at least for people who want to market healthy and wrinkle-free skin - also include smoking, alcohol consumption, constant lack of sleep and permanent stress.Honestly, these are all causes that everyone knows.We should all look at our own noses.or the skin around it.grasp and check whether we can not significantly change our way of life.Or want.In favor of healthy and fresh skin.Let's call it preventive measures.As natural aging sets in, it becomes increasingly difficult to keep wrinkles at bay! The perfidious thing is that in the autumn of our lives - actually already from the age of 40 -birthday – can store less and less moisture and form fats.So even without overexploitation in younger years, our protective cover becomes thinner and more vulnerable!

When the skin is thinning

Before we finally get to how to save skin, a few words about the medical causes of dry skin.Of course, we at the 48grams blog do not give medical advice, but we want to give our readers tips for protection.For example, anyone who has been prescribed new medication and suddenly – in the truest sense of the word – develops thin skin should definitely speak to their doctor.Numerous medicines interfere with the body's fluid balance or affect the functions of certain glands, including those responsible for producing fat in the skin.

Skin care with repair effect

Now that it is clear how diverse the causes of dry skin can be, we come to the treatment options: care, care, care.(This includes a thorough cleansing of the face with mild creams or gels.) Pay attention to pH neutrality when purchasing.Perfume and alcohol must not be processed.It is also mandatory to apply lotion after the bath or shower.This prevents the loss of moisture.If the skin has already taken on the parchment-like character mentioned above, then it needs skincare creams with a repair effect - which have a high proportion of aloe vera (preferably from Mallorca, as this is particularly effective) and have natural hyaluronic acid.In the case of the latter, it is worth taking a look at the packaging.Many manufacturers process long-chain hyaluronic acid - it does not penetrate so deeply into the skin.The so-called micro (or oligo) hyaluron is better.Additives such as mastic oil (from the Greek mastic tree) or edelweiss extracts also work wonders.So always pay attention when buying a cream for dry skin.

Effective help with home remedies

Basically speaking: creams and masks help within a few days - a significant improvement in the skin can be achieved.But if you want a long-lasting effect, you also have to lead a healthier life.Alcohol and fast food must be kept to a minimum, if not eliminated altogether. Tobacco and other drugs are taboo anyway.Drinking plenty of water is always a good thing.In addition, the daily food should be rich in vitamins and trace elements.The skin thanks you down to the pores.Finally, some tips from the home remedies department.Yes, Mother Nature has given us many substances that counteract the dehydration of the skin.In addition to the already mentioned aloe vera, coconut or almond oil are also included, as well as avocado, honey and clay.Mixed with rose water or a valuable oil, the result – either as a mask or as a cream – ensures that the skin becomes supple again.So dry skin is not a fate to be succumbed to.However, if you don't take care of the tissue in your face, you will soon see the overexploitation.Once the wrinkles have dug themselves deep or the skin barrier has been damaged, it is a long way back to glowing, healthy and fresh skin.So the bottom line is: if you take precautions, you will feel comfortable in your own skin for longer.