The skin becomes dry when there is not enough moisture. This lack of moisture can be due to multiple reasons such as dry weather, an underlying skin condition, genetics, and the use of certain skincare products that strip the skin of its natural hydration and oils. Moreover, there are a few skin dehydrators that we are not aware of. These can be the face cleanser we are using or our habit of taking a long hot shower. It may seem that one is sorted by slathering a lot of moisturizer on the skin to prevent dryness. But this is not the cases. People with extremely dry skin have experienced that the best of moisturizers dry p pretty quickly. So what is the way out? Read on to know about some of the common causes of dry skin, so that prevention becomes easier.

• Spending too much time in the shower
  One of the most common reasons for dry to very dry skin is over-cleansing. The natural barrier of the skin is made of natural moisturizing factors, oil, and water. When a cleanser is used, it washes off the natural moisturizing factors making the skin dry. A similar thing happens when one takes a long shower. The skin loses its natural oil and tends to become dry. For people with chronic dry skin, many specialists recommend using oil-based cleanser only for the face before going to bed at night. In the morning, it is enough to rinse off during a shower with using a cleanser again.
• Using water that is too hot
  Water at high temperature strips off the natural hydrating barrier of the skin. If there is excessive and prolonged exposure to hot water, the skin loses its natural essential oils and becomes inflamed and irritated. It aggravates the dryness of the skin. Ideally, the temperature of the water during a shower should be around 84 degrees F. It is recommended to have a short shower of approximately 10 minutes. Instead of rubbing of the water, pat the skin dry by dabbing a soft towel gently on the skin.
• Using cleansers that cause a pH imbalance
  The natural pH of the skin tends towards slightly acidic. The slight acidity helps to protect the skin against bacteria and other environmental substances that may harm the skin. Traditional soap bars are alkaline and disrupt the natural pH balance of the skin, causing dryness and irritation. It is recommended to use mild cleansers whose pH balance matches the acidic pH of the skin. Another option to prevent cleansers from harming the skin would be to use cleansers that contain surfactants. These remove dirt from the skin without any damage to the outer layer of the skin. Also, cleansers that contain polymers that stop the cleaning ingredients from entering the skin can also be used. These types of cleansers get rid of dirt without affecting the skin’s natural pH balance and oils.
• Excess exfoliation
  Exfoliation is an essential part of skincare routine. It gets rid of dead skin cells, opens clogged pores, and rejuvenates the skin. However, overdoing on exfoliation is harmful to the skin. Excess and even vigorous exfoliation will strip the skin of its natural oils and the protective layer. This will cause inflammation and irritation. People with oily to normal skin are usually recommended to exfoliate twice a week. Those who are prone to dry skin should do exfoliation less frequently, maybe about once in two or three weeks. Exfoliation should be followed by an intense moisturizing routine. The moisturizer should be more of an oil- than water-based liquid.