Humectants like glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and urea pull water from both the air and the deeper layers of skin into the stratum corneum to add moisture. Occlusives like beeswax, soybean oil, and lanolin form a barrier that prevents water from evaporating.
Unsurprisingly, drinking water is top of the list of things to do when it comes to hydrating the skin, but it's also important to combine it with a healthy dose of essential fatty acids.
Vitamin or mineral deficiency: Skin requires nutrients to keep it healthy. If you're not getting enough vitamin D, vitamin A, niacin, zinc, or iron, you can develop excessively dry skin.
Milk is more hydrating than water
For example, milk was found to be even more hydrating than plain water because it contains the sugar lactose, some protein and some fat, all of which help to slow the emptying of fluid from the stomach and keep hydration happening over a longer period.
Answer: Coconut oil consists of medium chain triglycerides which are saturated fats. It works like any oil-containing moisturizer and traps water in the skin creating a hydrating effect. Many people like the fragrance and texture.
If nonfacial skin is very dry, you might want to use a thicker moisturizer (Eucerin, Cetaphil, others) or an oil, such as baby oil. Oil has more staying power than do lotions and prevents the evaporation of water from the skin's surface. Another possibility is a petrolatum-based product (Vaseline, Aquaphor, others).
Moisturize with vitamin E
Many skincare products contain vitamin E, with good reason. Vitamin E's oil base is a perfect remedy for the lipids in the skin! The antioxidants in vitamin E also prevents skin inflammation. Even more, vitamin E helps seal up the cracks caused by dryness.
Dry skin
'One tell-tale skin sign of a vitamin D deficiency is dry, itchy skin on the face, which may occur all over or on areas such as cheeks, chin and forehead. In some severe cases, those with a deficiency may also develop eczema, this is thought to be caused by an immune system dysfunction.
Consuming too much vitamin A over a long period of time can cause coarse hair, partial loss of hair (including the eyebrows), cracked lips, and dry, rough skin.
Dehydrated skin is always a temporary condition that can be reversed with appropriate products. It is an alteration in the superficial layer of the epidermis that lacks water.
To tell if you're dehydrated, you can do the “pinch test.” Pinch a bit of skin on your arm between your thumb and forefinger. If you're well hydrated, it should go back to its original position a couple of seconds after you let go. If it doesn't, time to throw back some water.
Wash with a gentle, fragrance-free, moisturizing bar soap, cleanser, or body wash. Doing so will help soothe rather than dry your skin. Moisturizing ingredients that can help reduce dryness include glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and lanolin. Use warm (not hot) water.
Softens dry skin
Honey is a natural humectant – that means it pulls in moisture and locks it into the skin. It also creates a protective barrier to prevent dryness. Plus, the enzymes in honey help exfoliate the skin and remove dead skin cells to soften rough skin.
Interestingly, dehydrated skin results in premature skin aging so boosting the skin's water content is one of the most efficient ways to combat visible signs of aging [1].
Living in cold, windy conditions or low-humidity climates. Too much bathing or scrubbing. Taking long, hot showers or baths or scrubbing your skin too much can dry your skin. Bathing more than once a day can remove the natural oils from your skin too.
Good sources are egg yolk, oat flakes, salmon and herring, tomatoes and spinach, dairy products, bananas and walnuts. Nuts and seeds in general are also rich in vitamin E, which additionally supports the skin's lipid layer and ensures better skin hydration.