Skin dryness is one of the most common dermatological problems, experienced by most people at some time or the other. You could experience dry skin because of various factors and while some could be common, everyday reasons, others could be a major cause for concern. At times, dryness in the skin could be a one-off occurrence, which lasts only for a short period of time. However, there are people who have also suffered from chronic skin dryness.

Although anyone can suffer from excessive dry skin, there are some people who are more prone to it, as compared to others. This problem is more common as you age and also tends to affect those who live in cold or fairly dry climates and bathe too many times a day. Since most women follow a skincare routine of moisturizing their skin at least once in a day, they are less likely to get dry skin, as compared to men. Dry skin problems are usually the most prevalent on the arms and lower legs. However, this is not necessarily the case in all people. It has been seen that many people have dry skin problems mainly on the face.

Diet for Dry Skin
-- Omega-3 Fatty Acids: This nutrient is found in foods like nuts, avocado, tuna fish, salmon and flax seed
-- Zinc: Foods that are high in zinc include beans, beef, crabs and oysters
-- Sulfur: In order to keep your skin smooth, you need to increase your intake of eggs, onions and garlics
-- Vitamin C: This vitamin encourages the skin to absorb moisturizers that have been applied on to the body and can be found in kiwis, papaya and citrus fruits, such as oranges, lemons and grapefruit.
-- A diet for dry skin is incomplete without an adequate intake of water or other liquids. It is important for you to drink at least 8 glasses of water in a day. In addition to water, you could also consume fresh fruit juices, coconut water and herbal teas. However, alcohol and caffeinated beverages (coffee, sodas & hot chocolate) should be strictly avoided as they have diuretic properties and will result in further dehydration and loss of moisture.

Suggestion for Dry Skin
There are several ways in which you can prevent your skin from getting dry, but it is important that your endeavor is a continuous one. In case you stop taking care of your skin, you are likely to suffer from dry skin once again.

If you have recently been put on any medications for any other health condition, there is a possibility that the dryness you experience may be a side effect of the medications. In such a scenario it would be advisable to consult your doctor or dermatologist and if a connection is established, your doctor will recommend alternative treatments.