Dry skin on the face
introduction
Many people suffer from dry skin on their faces. Older people in particular often have to struggle with the symptoms of dry skin, as the facial skin loses moisture more and more with age, making it look very dry, cracked and brittle. Due to the lack of moisture, the skin contracts, becomes rough and causes uncomfortable itching. Many different factors can cause dry facial skin. In addition to external influences such as cold, warmth or an incorrect and unhealthy diet, internal factors such as lack of fluids or hormones and metabolic diseases play an important role in the development of dry skin.
causes
The causes that favor the development of dry skin on the face can be very diverse. Many patients are prone to dry skin on their faces for life. One reason for this is that they are a genetic predisposition on the other hand, dry skin can also be caused by a unhealthy diet, such as improper skin care be reinforced.
The different Causes of Dry Skin can be roughly divided into internal and external factors.
Among the factors that from the outside can act on the skin on the face Heat, cold and exposure to the sun. In both cold and warm conditions, the skin loses fluid and becomes brittle and cracked. Especially in winter, the skin of the face suffers from the change between the cold and the dry heated air.
Excessive exposure to the sun leads to reddening and tense areas of the skin disrupting the protective barrier of the upper skin layers. Furthermore, the external factors become excessive or poor personal hygiene, frequent visits to swimming pools, unhealthy diet, and the use of facial care products with fragrances or alcohol.
But some can too internal factors be the cause of dry skin on the face.By increased sweating and too little fluid intake, the skin loses a lot of moisture. Harmful substances such as alcohol or smoking make the skin of the face appear very old and wrinkled. If there are no external causes for the dry skin, it should always be addressed Metabolic diseases or Disorders in the hormonal balance be thought. Psychological stress or the use of medication can also lead to dry skin.
Symptoms
Dry skin on the face is noticeable because it appears very dull and brittle. Many patients complain of an extremely rough and cracked skin surface, which scratches and in many cases can trigger severe itching. If the upper layer of the skin lacks moisture, it begins to contract and tighten. In the places on the face where the cracked areas begin to burst open, there is often a slight reddening. If the facial skin is not properly cared for at this stage, the cracks can spread and the flaked areas of skin can become more flaky.
In the area of the corners of the mouth, very dry and irritated skin often creates so-called rhagades. These are tears in the corners of the mouth, which are particularly uncomfortable and painful, since they are irritated and stressed again with every slight movement. If the skin of the face is very irritated or damaged, local inflammations often develop, as bacteria and other pathogens can overcome the damaged skin barrier and penetrate the deeper layers of the skin.
Read more on the topic: Dry corners of the mouth
In many cases, in connection with dry skin, there are more wrinkles on the face, especially in the area around the eyes, or the wrinkles that are already there are intensified. With dry skin on the face, you should always look at the other parts of the body in order not to overlook possible skin diseases such as neurodermatitis or psoriasis.
Read more on the topic: Rash from dry skin
Do you also feel a burning sensation in your face? Then read our article too Burning in the face.
Dandruff
Dry skin on the face is often noticeable because the Facial skin begins to tighten and that little by little small flakes of skin keep falling off. These small, whitish scales that are secreted are not only unpleasant, but also represent an enormous cosmetic flaw for many patients. If dry skin begins to flake, it is missing Humidity. This is particularly important for the skin of the face as it cares for the layers of the skin and enables a smooth metabolism.
Lies a Dehydration before, the facial skin becomes brittle and cracked and the upper damaged skin surfaces are shed in the form of scales. The dandruff occurs due to increased drainage Renewal processes of the individual skin layers. You put the Degradation products the old, damaged skin and are therefore a sign that the body is taking countermeasures to renew the damaged and irritated skin and make it smooth and supple again. Still, it is important to this the body's own repair processes by a targeted skin care and adequate protection against external influences support.
Red spots on the face
Often small ones appear on the face with dry skin Red stain. These red spots are a sign of the damaged and severely irritated cells of the skin surface. The slight reddish color is due to a increased blood flow the affected skin area. For extremely dry and cracked skin, this is Protection and barrier function the superficial layer of the skin of the face severely weakened and impaired.
Small cracks represent one suitable gateway for pathogens such as bacteria and viruses that can attack the deeper layers and above all cause a local inflammatory reaction. These inflammatory processes and irritations of the skin also appear as reddish elevations. The red spots spread further and increase in size, one should See a doctor and have the infection treated so that it does not spread and be dragged on. In many cases, the red spots are simply the result of frequent scratching. Many patients try to relieve the severe itching of the face, which is often associated with dry skin, by scratching.
diagnosis
The diagnosis of dry skin on the face is one Eye diagnosiswhich can be quickly asked by the family doctor or dermatologist. The attending physician tries to answer specific questions Find possible cause of dry skin on the face. It is important to know how long the symptoms have existed, whether they have appeared acutely or gradually, whether they are also manifesting in other parts of the body, whether Allergies or the diet has recently been changed. In addition, after the regular use of medication and any existing comorbidities are asked.
In the subsequent physical exam is on the Texture of the facial skin looked. The severity of the dry skin can be determined more precisely on the affected brittle, flaky and cracked skin areas. With the help special measuring devices, can he Water and fat content in the layers of the skin of the face can be determined. To determine an underlying medical condition as the cause, you can use Blood and urine tests be performed. In the case of slightly cracked, open areas of the facial skin, smears are taken, which can indicate possible skin irritation due to an infestation of bacteria or viruses.
What to do with dry skin on the face
Dry skin on the face needs a lot of attention and intensive care. Maintaining a high level of moisture is important in order to counteract dehydration and prevent itching and the feeling of rough, flaky skin on the face. After a long bath or shower, the face and the rest of the body should be too rubbed in moisturizing and nourishing lotions become. When choosing a suitable shower gel, one should make sure that one chooses products that pH neutral and not perfumed are. The use of facial care products that contain alcohol should also be avoided, as these remove additional moisture from the irritated skin.
Of the cold air in winter can be counteracted by fatty face creams be used. Also a adequate protection the skin of the face Exposure to sunlight is important. Sunscreens should be used with one high sun protection factorthat protect from sunlight.
Also one balanced and healthy diet supports a healthy structure of the skin. The consumption of vegetables and fruits provides the skin cells with important vitamins and nutrients. With very dry skin on the face, sometimes this is the only thing that helps Treatment with a cream containing cortisoneby the treating Dermatologist prescribed can be.
Home remedies for dry skin
In the treatment of dry skin on the face, one likes to fall back on well-known home remedies. Particular emphasis is placed on the use of products that donate moisture. Are well suited Cottage cheese and yogurt. From them you can Masks that can be applied to the face. You can also do this after applying the masks Place cucumber slices on your face. Cucumbers have a high water content. They donate moisture that is absorbed by the skin cells. You can also use the quark or yogurt masks with something honey refine. It supplies the skin with important nutrients and also has a nourishing and calming effect on the affected areas.
A adequate hydration is particularly important. A lot of about 2 liters of water or tea per day is sufficient. The consumption of coffee should be avoided as far as possible, as it draws additional water from the skin of the face and, with frequent consumption, causes the skin to age faster.
More conventional Carrot juice can be used as a facial toner. It provides moisture and makes the damaged skin appear softer. Products that also take care of dry skin, make it softer and have a calming effect Milk and olive oil. Baths mixed with a little milk or olive oil have a beneficial, nourishing and cleansing effect.
A Vitamin and mineral rich nutrition for dry skin a lot of fruit and vegetables also promotes the development of healthy skin. Thyme, chamomile and aloe vera not only have a nourishing effect, but also relieve severe itching.
Which cream can I use?
The right skin care creams should be used for the correct treatment and also to prevent dry skin on the face. Moisturizing creams moisturize the skin of the face and ensure a smooth and supple complexion. A rich cream should build up the skin and trigger a warming, soothing feeling after rubbing it in.
If the applied cream is absorbed too quickly, so that the skin immediately tightens again and feels rough after applying the cream, sufficient care will not be achieved and the product should be changed. One should especially pay attention to the chosen care products contain no fragrances or alcohol, as these substances can additionally irritate and damage the affected skin. Creams that also contain oils or aloe vera, also have another calming influence on the skin and relieve itching.
Dry skin on the face in the baby
Dry skin on the face occurs in babies very often in front. The skin of babies is much thinner and more delicate than that of adolescents or adults. The upper layer of the facial skin is not yet fully developed and therefore not as resistant. It still has many gaps and the Protective film is not completely formed, So that the Moisture not properly bound can be and get lost. That is why the skin of the face dries out quickly and appears brittle. In addition, the baby's skin lacks adequate protection because the glands that form the fat for the protective layer of the skin are not yet working adequately. Therefore, as with adults, there is one adequate skin care with the baby essential.
Dry skin after showering
By frequent showering or long baths, the skin on the face can become very rough and dry out. Hot water attacks the surface of the skin and damages it. Frequent stays in swimming pools are particularly harmful to the skin, as the salt water removes a lot of water from the skin of the face and therefore lacks the nourishing moisture from the inside. That's why that's enough Facial care with lukewarm water completely off.
When choosing the Cleansing lotions one should resort to means that are on the one hand nourishing, but also moisturizing and moisturizing Act. Frequent showering and bathing removes important fats from the skin on the face, which play an important role in protecting the skin and keeping it supple. Therefore, after extensive showering, you should protect the facial skin from drying out by applying lotion and use a moisturizing cream that renews and strengthens the protective fat film of the skin.
