Dry skin can be because of several reasons and the main reasons are environment related, one of which is over exposure to the sun and wind during cold weather. When dry skin occurs the skin becomes itchy and flaky and starts to peel off. Dry skin usually affects the exposed areas of the body first, which in most cases is the face. Dry skin occurs because the oil that is produced to protect the skin is either not being produced by the body in the quantity required or due to exposure to extreme cold is being evaporated. Dry skin usually occurs in winters as if one is exposed to extreme heat the sweat that is produced protects the skin and dry skin does not occur. If one has a dry skin problem during normal weather conditions then it is due to an internal problem. This could be an improper diet or if one has been taking medications or also if one is diabetic.

The best way to protect dry skin is to gently wash with lukewarm water and not cold or hot water and then gently dry the skin by patting it. Don’t use a bathing mesh or any abrasive to wash the dry skin or a towel to dry it. Apply a moisturizer after washing dry skin or a cream or oil. The moisturizer will wet the skin and make it look moist and soft. Applying oil or cream will help to replenish the oil of the skin and it should be applied gently. Gently massaging the dry skin with cream or oil also helps in rejuvenating the skin. The best may to treat the dry skin is to use baby oil after taking a shower or bath, if one can take a milk bath (250 grams of powdered milk and some almond oil can be used to make a milk bath) once a week that will also help. If one's lips are chapping or crack apply some milk cream with a few drops of rose water on them. Do not use any hard soap or any soap or detergent that contains alkaline as this will aggravate the dry skin. The moisturizer that one uses should also be liquid based and with oil is preferred. The best lotion for dry skin is one that contains some oil and preferably almond oil. The best dry skin treatment is to try and replenish the oil of the skin by applying oil or cream on dry skin. Dry itchy skin can be quite irritating and one tends to either scratch or peel off the dry skin but this should be avoided as peeling or scratching is only going to aggravate the dry skin and will not help it. Resurfacing dry skin care products that don’t contain any chemicals should be used and there are a number of skin care products manufacturers that sell resurfacing dry skin care products.

In some cases Diabetes and dry skin go hand in hand as diabetes causes a reduction in production by the body of natural oil for the skin. Therefore people who are diabetic may have dry spots on skin. Again using moisturizers and oil is the best way of keeping the skin looking fresh and normal.

There are certain things that anyone who has dry skin should avoid and one of them is exposure to sun and cold, the other is using 'hard water' or a hard soap. Also avoid and cleansing or cold cream that has hydrogenated oil in it. Try and use natural oils like olive, almond, etc.

One pet dog can also have dog dry skin which can be caused by a number of reasons. Like using a hard soap or shampoo or bathing the dog in cold or hot water. If one needs to bath the dog use warm water and a chemical free shampoo or soap. For dry skin brushing use a soft brush and don’t rub the dog vigorously with a rough towel after its bath.

In most cases dry skin is a seasonal phenomenon and only occurs in winters however if one has dry skin even during the other seasons then one must consult their skin specialist and get proper dry skin therapy or dry skin treatment done as may be required.