Dry Skin - The Basic Facts
A large proportion of the population suffers from dry skin although it is more common in women than in men and the degree of dryness varies from individual to individual. Dry skin can affect anybody but is especially common in children under 10 and adults over 60. Some 15% to 20% of the population suffer from an atopic disposition to dry skin (xerodermia).
Dryness is caused by various external and internal factors. Typical external factors are climate, environment, chemicals such as cleansing agents and solvents, UV exposure and medications, while typical internal factors are caused by genetics, the ageing process, hormonal influences and
dermatological conditions such as eczema and psoriasis.
The cause of dry skin is essentially a deficiency of natural moisturising factors, especially urea, which is a vital part of the human metabolism and aids re-absorption of water and critical ions back into the body. Atopic dry skin is a special hereditary condition, due to its pathogenesis, in which a disturbed fatty acid metabolism of the skin plays a major role in causing symptoms of extreme dryness.
There are three different categories of dry skin:
Problem Dry Skin, which includes symptoms such as mild scaling, roughness, a feeling of tightness and possible itching.
Extremely Dry Skin is signified by roughness, chapping, callus formation and scaling, and frequent itching.
Atopic Dry Skin sufferers experience scaling, rough skin with cracking, weeping, intensive itching and a tendency to reddening and inflammation (especially as a result of atopic eczema).
Many dry skin sufferers, especially those with eczema or psoriasis, also experience what is known as traumatised sensitivity, meaning skin is prone to react badly with poor quality skin care ingredients, especially mineral oil, lanolin, and alcohol.
There are a variety of different types of eczema, which exhibit symptoms such as scaling, redness, itching, burning on contact with an allergen, weeping, inflammation, scaly patches and blisters. Psoriasis is a skin condition in which skin cells reproduce too quickly, every few days compared to the normal 21-28 day cycle, and it affects around 2% of the UK population. In psoriasis the renewal process speeds up; as a result, cells build up rapidly on the surface of the skin, causing red, flaky, crusty patches covered with silvery scales. The severity of psoriasis varies greatly from person to
person. For some people it's just a minor irritation, but for others it has a major impact on quality of life. There is no cure for psoriasis but, as with eczema, there are natural products available that will help to alleviate the symptoms.
Pevonia’s Dry Skin Line specifically delivers a powerful blend of acutely hydrating, non-irritating ingredients, including Hyaluronic Acid, Micronised Vitamin E, Rose Oil and Ylang Ylang Oil, to nourish skin while helping to prevent moisture loss. Propolis Concentrate is a multi-purpose product ideal for strengthening dry skin while its antiseptic and anti-bacterial qualities will heal, help to control acne breakouts and sooth rashes. Ingredients in the Dry Skin Line and the Propolis Concentrate are micronised, which is a manufacturing process that enables deeper penetration of healing elements to soothe dry skin symptoms.
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