When skin loses water too quickly, it becomes dry. Skin dryness can feel flaky, itchy, rough, and tight. This can be caused by both external and internal factors. Everyday soaps and cleaning products can strip oils and fats from our skin. Taking long, hot showers and living in colder climates can also dry your skin as well. 

Atopic Dermatitis (eczema) and Psoriasis are also linked to dryness and can show other symptoms like inflammation and intensive itchiness. They tend to be genetically linked, find out more about the Dry Skin Gene. 

Moisturising several times a day can help to heal dry skin. However, when the skin continues to lose water and cannot heal itself, skin can become excessively dry. Age, certain medications, and disease can also cause skin to become excessively dry.

When the skin first begins to lose moisture, the skin can feel tight and rough.

If the dryness is not treated, and the skin loses further moisture, the skin becomes very tight, scaly, chapped and itchy.

If left in this condition, the skin can feel rough, hard and begin to crack. Certain areas of the body, particularly hands, feet, elbows and knees are prone to extreme tightness or roughness, intense itching, with cracks or fissures.

Dry skin types are usually based on genetics; your skin naturally lacks enough lipids and oils needed to keep itself moisturised. 10% of the population have a genetic filaggrin deficiency. This is a skin condition affecting the production of filaggrin, an essential protein in the skin, which can result in a damaged, sensitive skin barrier that is prone to dryness and cracking.

Take the quiz to find out if you have the Dry Skin Gene.

Skin also produces less oil as we grow older, which is why ageing skin can become dry over time. 

Dehydrated skin, on the other hand, is a temporary condition. Instead of needing oils and lipids, dehydrated skin lacks water. Dehydration can be caused by environmental factors such as humid climates and changing seasons (moving into winter), not drinking enough water, air conditioning and heating systems, cleansing with hard water, or using skincare products that strip away moisture. Skin can also be dry and dehydrated at the same time.

Use the 3 second pinch test to determine whether you have dry or dehydrated skin. Pinch the skin on the top of your hands for 3 seconds, then let go. If your skin's turgor (your skin’s elasticity) bounces back to normal right away (but still feels dry), you have dry skin. If your skin takes a few seconds to bounce back, it’s most likely dehydrated. Seek advice from a dermatologist if you’re unsure.

Dry and very dry skin needs an intensive hand, body and skin care routine that focuses on moisturisation.

Dry skin needs oils and lipids, so incorporate ingredients like Avocado OIl, Squalane (found in our body moisturiser for dry skin: Caring Body Cream), Pomegranate, Passionfruit, Soya & Grapeseed oils (found in our bestselling Caring Hand Cream) and Pharmaceutical Grade Colloidal Oatmeal (formulated in our Caring Skin Fix). We include a blend of moisturising ingredients in all our Nursem therapeutic skincare products for dry skin for long-lasting smoother, healthier, more balanced skin. 

If the skin is feeling a bit dehydrated, drinking more water alone will not be enough to rehydrate your skin. The best way to treat dehydrated skin is topically through hydrating hand, body and skin care products. Instead of oils, look for products with hydrating ingredients: Glycerin, Hyaluronic Acid (found in our Caring Skin Fix treatment and Caring Body Cream for dehydrated skin), Pro Vitamin B5 (found in our Caring Hand Cream for dehydrated skin) and Aloe Vera Juice are all great for dehydrated skin. Top tip: apply to products whilst your skin is slightly damp for an instant boost of hydration.

If you have both dry and dehydrated skin, incorporate a mixture of oils, actives and humectants into your routine. Our Caring Hand Cream and Caring Skin Fix have hydrators, lipids and oils to give the skin the benefits of both in one product. If you have dry, dehydrated skin use our hand wash and body wash for dry skin that keeps your skin feeling hydrated, moisturised and balanced all year round.