Xerosis, or ordinary dry skin, is commonly caused by environmental factors that can be controlled. Long term exposure to air conditioning, excessive bathing and exposure to hot or cold weather with low humidity leaves your skin dehydrated. The use of moisturizers and mild soaps help rehydrate the skin.

Normal aging also causes dry skin because the cells take a longer time to renew itself, and oil producing glands become less active. Fine lines and wrinkles are developed because of dry skin. Other symptoms of dry skin are itching, feeling of tightness, redness, flaking, scaling or peeling, deep fissures, rough and shrunken skin.

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