Xeroderma, the medical name for dry skin, occurs most commonly on the lower legs, arms, the sides of the abdomen and thighs and is a very common condition. The use of natural or synthetic cosmetics to cover the appearance of the face and condition of the skin, like pore control and blackhead covering, is common among many cultures.

The dermis is the layer of skin beneath the epidermis that consists of connective tissue and cushions the body from stress and strain. The dermis is structurally divided into two areas: a superficial area adjacent to the epidermis, called the papillary region, and a deep thicker area known as the reticular region. The average square inch of skin holds 650 sweat glands, 20 blood vessels, 60,000 melanocytes, and more than a thousand nerve endings.

Environmental factors, such as exposure to sun, wind, cold, chemicals, or cosmetics, or excessive bathing with harsh soaps, can cause dry skin. If you break out on the skin around your eyes, it could be the shellac in your mascara; buy a shellac-free mascara like Ecco Bella's. Forced-air furnaces may make skin even drier than it already is.

When the skin loses moisture it may crack and peel, or become irritated and inflamed. Certain drugs, including diuretics, antispasmodics, and antihistamines, can contribute to dry skin conditions; check with your pharmacist or doctor and read the drug insert - you can get one from your pharmacist. Dry skin can be caused by a deficiency of vitamin A, systemic illness, overexposure to sunlight or some medications.

Eat high-fiber snacks like raw nuts, raw seeds, fresh fruit or dried fruit like dates, and figs. For an easy fiber boost, to help your skin, add one to two tablespoons of ground up flaxseeds to two or three apples and mix in your food processor. Eating foods high in omega-3's are particularly important to people with dry skin or acne.

Only use mild cleansers or mild soaps if you must use a soap or cleanser. Dry and pat your skin gently and thoroughly after a bath or shower if it's extremely dry or irritated. Avoid all products that have an alcohol base.

Use a thin layer of coconut oil under your make-up, if you wear it, to moisturize and soften your skin throughout the day. Use can use bath oils and moisturizers every day, but coconut oil has the added power of healing. To see what coconut oil can do for your skin fast, apply coconut oil several times a day and at bedtime.

Use coconut oil to remove your make-up at night, like I do; it leaves a fine layer of oil to nourish your skin all night long; but better yet, apply more coconut oil. I buy coconut oil by the gallon; it's cheaper for a whole gallon of coconut oil than a small jar of department store, name-brand moisturizer.

Skin that's not clean favors the development of pathogenic organisms; the dead cells continually slough off of the epidermis and mix with the secretions of the sweat and sebaceous glands and the dust found on the skin, to form a layer on its surface. The skin is subject to constant attack from without; it can be affected by many conditions, diseases and ailments.

You should see the results with improved skin within a few days following these dry skin tips and suggestions. See your doctor or naturopathic doctor if your skin doesn't improve in spite of your best efforts. If your dry skin lasts for a long time and is itchy or feels hot when you touch it, see your doctor.