The Importance of Understanding the Causes of Dry Skin by Helen Hecker

As we age, our skin produces less of the natural oil that helps it retain its moisture. Skin is not dry because it lacks oil, but because it lacks water. Xeroderma literally means "dry skin".

Skin is considered one of the most important parts of the body. Skin also receives less blood flow and lower gland activity. Skin contains the hair follicles, sweat glands, sebaceous glands, apocrine glands and blood vessels.

Epidermis is the outermost layer of the skin. The epidermis contains no blood vessels, and cells in the deepest layers are nourished by diffusion from blood capillaries extending to the upper layers of the dermis. The dermis is the layer of skin beneath the epidermis that consists of connective tissue and cushions the body from stress and strain.

Nutritional deficiencies, especially deficiencies of vitamin A and the B vitamins, can also contribute to dry skin. Dry skin is common. The skin loses moisture and may crack and peel, or become irritated and inflamed. The oil glands do not supply enough lubrication to the skin: as a result, the skin becomes dehydrated.

Dry your skin gently and thoroughly, patting not rubbing. For any skin condition, it's always better to take a natural approach. Natural treatment should always be the first type of treatment to consider when you want to take the best care of your skin.

You want to work from the inside out too. The two most common digestive culprits, that affect your skin, are not enough water and not enough fiber.

Drink plenty of water, a minimum of a quart a day. Concentrating on a diet of lots of fruits and vegetables (preferably uncooked) and no junk food, should give you an observable improvement within 30 days. Use olive oil, flaxseed oil or walnut oil in your salad.

Apply coconut oil to heal and soothe your skin. Use bath oils and moisturizers, especially coconut oil, at least daily. Use coconut oil to remove your make-up at night, like I do; it leaves a fine layer of oil to nourish your skin all night long. The best treatment I've found for dry skin is coconut oil.

Functions of the skin are disturbed when it is dirty; it becomes more easily damaged, the release of antibacterial compounds decreases and dirty skin is more prone to develop infections. The skin supports its own ecosystems of microorganisms, including yeasts and bacteria, which cannot be removed by any amount of cleaning.

The skin must be regularly cleaned or it'll become cracked or inflamed.

And did I say to drink lots and lots of water every day! Skin doctors are called dermatologists; hopefully you'll never need one. Continue using coconut oil and the healing benefits of good, clear skin, free of dryness and other skin conditions should be your reward.

Author Resource: For more information on coconut oil treatment for dry skin and dry skin care treatments go to http://www.Best-Skin-Care-Tips.com Helen Hecker R.N.'s website specializing in care for skin conditions with tips, advice and resources for women, men, teens and babies, including information on the best natural products

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