Dry skin produces less sebum than normal skin, lacking lipids to retain moisture and build a protective shield. This impairs moisture barrier function, ranging from slightly drier to extremely dry.
Mild dry skin may be tight, rough, and dull, while severe dry skin can cause scaling, flakiness, a rough appearance, itchiness, and increased sensitivity to irritation and infection. Extremely dry skin is prone to cracks, calluses, scaling, and frequent itchiness.
