The use of natural or synthetic cosmetics to cover the appearance of the face and condition of the skin, like control of the pores and covering blackheads, 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.

Our skin has many nerve endings that provide the sense of touch and heat. Our skin also receives less blood flow and lower gland activity than the other organs in our body. The epidermis is the outermost layer of the skin.

Bathing or showering too frequently, especially if one is using harsh soaps, may contribute to dry skin. 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. Environmental factors, such as exposure to sun, wind, cold, chemicals, or cosmetics, or excessive bathing with harsh soaps, can cause dry skin. When the oil glands do not supply enough lubrication to the skin, the skin becomes dehydrated.

Good nutrition from living foods - foods that are alive - will help your skin from the inside out. Get 20-30 minutes of sunshine daily on your arms and/or legs; sunshine triggers the body's production of Vitamin D3, which is essential to having healthy skin. 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.

Keep baths or showers short using warm, never hot water. Use bath oils and moisturizers, or better yet, coconut oil, daily. Natural treatments should always be the first type of treatments to consider when you want to heal and take the best care of your skin.

When you buy coconut oil, make sure you get the kind that hasn't been refined, processed and deodorized. Apply coconut oil daily to your skin to heal, moisturize and soothe it. Apply coconut oil to irritated or chapped lips as well; it's edible, so it's safe and so healing to the lips.

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. Use can use bath oils and moisturizers every day, but coconut oil has the added power of healing.

Functions of the skin are disturbed when it's not clean; it becomes more easily damaged, the release of antibacterial compounds decreases and it's more prone to develop infections. The skin must be regularly cleaned or it'll become cracked or inflamed.

If nothing seems to work it might be more than dry skin, so you should see your doctor. Usually we can take care of dry skin without seeing our doctor, but sometimes we can't avoid it. Make sure to call your skin doctor or dermatologist when you have any open cuts or sores from scratching that won't heal.