Dry skin: the most effective dietary supplements

Dry skin, or xerosis, is a condition characterized by rough, scaly skin often accompanied by itching. It results from excessive water loss in the stratum corneum, affecting its elasticity and protective function. This phenomenon is particularly common in winter when the air humidity is low, but it can also be caused by genetic, hormonal, or environmental factors.

Causes of dry skin

The stratum corneum plays a key role in skin hydration. Made up of corneocytes and a lipid matrix, it forms an essential barrier for maintaining water balance. Lipids—especially ceramides, cholesterol, and free fatty acids—ensure a dense organization of this barrier. A decrease in lipids and reduced synthesis of hyaluronic acid in the dermis, a molecule essential for attracting and retaining water, contribute to skin dryness. Several triggering factors can be identified: • Genetic mutations affecting the production of filaggrin, a key protein in the formation of the natural moisturizing factor. • Skin aging, which reduces the production of lipids and fatty acids, thereby weakening the skin barrier. • Environmental conditions, such as exposure to dry or cold air, which increase water loss and disrupt epidermal differentiation. • The use of irritating agents, such as soaps and detergents, which remove the skin's natural lipids. • UV rays, which directly alter the lipid matrix and accelerate skin aging. • Hormonal imbalances, notably decreased estrogens, which reduce the synthesis of collagen and hyaluronic acid—both essential for water retention. • Certain skin conditions, such as atopic dermatitis and psoriasis, which exacerbate skin dryness.

Preventive solutions

Management of dry skin relies on topical care and lifestyle changes. Emollients containing humectants restore the water content of the stratum corneum. Formulations based on physiological lipids, such as ceramides, strengthen the lipid barrier and improve the skin’s protective function. • Emollients: They fill cracks by creating an occlusive barrier, which helps retain moisture in the skin. Typical ingredients include oils, liquid paraffin, and waxes such as lanolin. • Moisturizers: These products contain humectants, like hyaluronic acid, urea, or alpha-hydroxy acids (glycolic acid, lactic acid), which increase skin elasticity by attracting water into the stratum corneum. • Urea and keratolytics: They are particularly useful for cracked skin. These products, containing variable concentrations of urea, soften and hydrate the skin, or gently exfoliate thanks to acids. In addition, it is recommended to avoid long hot baths and harsh cleansing products (soaps, shower gels), and to use humidifiers to maintain adequate indoor air humidity.