Helen Hecker asked:


The use of natural or synthetic cosmetics to cover the condition of the skin is common among many cultures. Xeroderma, the medical name for dry skin, occurs most commonly on the lower legs, arms, the sides of the abdomen and thighs and is a very common condition.

Skin contains hair follicles, sweat glands, sebaceous glands, apocrine glands and blood vessels. The dermis is structurally divided into two areas: a superficial area adjacent to the epidermis, called the papillary region, and a deep thicker area known as the reticular region. The average square inch of skin holds 650 sweat glands, 20 blood vessels, 60,000 melanocytes, and more than a thousand nerve endings.

If you break out on the skin around your eyes, it could be the shellac in your mascara; buy a shellac-free mascara like Ecco Bella’s. Nutritional deficiencies, especially deficiencies of vitamin A and the B vitamins, can also contribute to dry skin or result in a chronic dry skin condition that’s not relieved by anything else. Serious skin complications, including a dry skin condition, can arise for people with type 2 diabetes.

Dry skin happens more often in the winter when the cold air outside and heated air inside cause the humidity to be low. When the oil glands do not supply enough lubrication to the skin, the skin becomes dehydrated. Forced-air furnaces may make skin even drier than it already is.

Consider taking cod liver oil or fish oil supplements, in liquid form, every day. The two most common problems that affect your skin are: not drinking enough water and not eating enough fiber. I put two tablespoons of coconut oil in my smoothies, which are made with fruits only – using a base of two bananas, then adding fruit, frozen or fresh– blend well.

If you use moisturizers, use the thick, oily-type which work better for dry skin. Avoid all products that have an alcohol base. For any skin condition, it’s always better to take a natural approach.

Apply coconut oil to irritated or chapped lips as well; it’s edible, so it’s safe and so healing to the lips. 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; but better yet, apply more coconut oil. Use a thin layer of coconut oil under your make-up, if you wear it, to moisturize and soften your skin throughout the day.

Apply coconut oil daily to your skin to heal, moisturize and soothe it. Coconut oil is very inexpensive – a great, cheap home remedy for all skin conditions.

Skin that’s not clean favors the development of pathogenic organisms; the dead cells continually slough off of the epidermis and mix with the secretions of the sweat and sebaceous glands and the dust found on the skin, to form a layer on its surface. The skin is subject to constant attack from without; it can be affected by many conditions, diseases and ailments.

Following some of the above treatments, your dry skin should be well on its way to recovery. You should see the results with improved skin within a few days following using these dry skin tips and suggestions. If you’re still worried about your skin, or the problems persist, see your skin doctor.

Helen Hecker asked:


Xeroderma, the medical name for dry skin, occurs most commonly on the lower legs, arms, the sides of the abdomen and thighs and is a very common condition. Only a lucky few of us have ‘normal’ skin; the rest of us have dry, oily or combination skin; if dryness is your skin problem, read on.

The dermis is the layer of skin beneath the epidermis that consists of connective tissue and cushions the body from stress and strain. The average square inch of skin holds 650 sweat glands, 20 blood vessels, 60,000 melanocytes, and more than a thousand nerve endings. The epidermis is the outermost layer of the skin.

Environmental factors, such as exposure to sun, wind, cold, chemicals, or cosmetics, or excessive bathing with harsh soaps, can cause dry skin. Skin gets exposed to the elements, especially in winter, causing it to become drier. When the oil glands do not supply enough lubrication to the skin, the skin becomes dehydrated.

Dry skin can be due to a genetic condition but it’s not common. Nutritional deficiencies, especially deficiencies of vitamin A and the B vitamins, can also contribute to dry skin or result in a chronic dry skin condition that’s not relieved by anything else. Bathing or showering too frequently, especially if one is using harsh soaps, may contribute to dry skin.

When the skin is dry and dehydrated, dead skin cells remain on the skin which may block pores and promote acne, zits, blemishes, or other breakouts; drink plenty of pure water. Consider taking cod liver oil or fish oil supplements, in liquid form, every day. Drink freshly extracted carrot juice, if you can, every day; carrot juice is an excellent cleanser for the liver, great for the skin and contains a great deal of nutrients, all beneficial for dry skin, eczema, acne, zits, pimples, blackheads, whiteheads, and other breakouts.

Use bath oils and moisturizers, or better yet, coconut oil, daily. Use as little soap as possible, if you have to use any, limiting its use to the armpits and genital area. Avoid all products that have an alcohol base.

After a soothing bath or shower at night just before bedtime, apply a thin layer of coconut oil over your entire body; it’ll even last on your skin through your shower in the morning. Use a thin layer of coconut oil under your make-up, if you wear it, to moisturize and soften your skin throughout the day. I buy coconut oil by the gallon; it’s cheaper for a whole gallon of coconut oil than a small jar of department store, name-brand moisturizer.

Coconut oil is the best healing, soothing, and moisturizing treatment I’ve found for dry skin; in fact all types of skin conditions, skin eruptions, pimples, acne, milia, irritations, cuts, burns, fungus, etc. When you buy coconut oil, make sure you get the kind that hasn’t been refined, processed and deodorized.

The skin supports its own ecosystem of microorganisms, including yeasts and bacteria, which cannot be removed by any amount of cleaning. Sunlight, water and air play an important role in keeping the skin healthy.

Call your doctor or naturopath when your skin feels itchy all over your body, with or without a visible rash. Make sure to call your skin doctor or dermatologist when you have any open cuts or sores from scratching that won’t heal. Usually we can take care of dry skin without seeing our doctor, but sometimes we can’t avoid it.

Helen Hecker asked:


Dry skin happens more often in the winter where the cold air outside and the hot air inside creates a low relative humidity. Xeroderma literally means “dry skin”. Xeroderma is a very common condition.

Skin contains the hair follicles, sweat glands, sebaceous glands, apocrine glands and blood vessels. The skin is often known as “the largest organ of the human body”. Skin is considered one of the most important parts of the body.

The outermost layer of epidermis consists of 25 to 30 layers of dead cells. 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.

Dry skin could be due to a genetic condition. 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. Nutritional deficiencies, especially deficiencies of vitamin A and the B vitamins, can also contribute to dry skin.

Thick, oily-type moisturizers work best the use of natural or synthetic cosmetics to treat the appearance of the face and condition of the skin (such as pore control and blackhead cleansing) is common among many cultures. Natural treatment should always be the first type of treatment to consider when you want to take the best care of your skin.

Eat foods that contain essential fatty acids. 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. Consider taking cod liver oil or fish oil supplements every day. Put 2 tablespoons of coconut oil in your smoothies. Good skin is often a reflection of a good digestive system.

Apply a thin layer of coconut oil and massage it deep into the skin. The best treatment I’ve found for dry skin is coconut oil. It just takes motivation, a willingness to try it, and diligent application of coconut oil several times daily and at bedtime to see its benefits. If you also have eczema or acne, coconut oil will treat those skin conditions too.

The skin supports its own ecosystems of microorganisms, including yeasts and bacteria, which cannot be removed by any amount of cleaning. Unclean skin favors the development of pathogenic organisms – the dead cells that continually slough off of the epidermis mix with the secretions of the sweat and sebaceous glands and the dust found on the skin to form a filthy layer on its surface. Sunlight, water and air play an important role in keeping the skin healthy.

It’s time to call the doctor when all your home remedies do not relieve your dryness and itching. You should see the results with improved skin within a few days following this advice. Skin doctors are called dermatologists.