Dry skin and facial dryness can have many causes — from environmental factors to using products unsuitable for your skin type. Today we will walk through the causes of dry skin, which vitamins you may be lacking, and how to replenish vitamins to restore healthy skin. Find your answers in this article.
What Causes Severely Dry Facial Skin?
Dry skin occurs when the skin barrier becomes imbalanced, reducing the skin's ability to retain moisture. Multiple factors often contribute together.
- Environmental factors such as air conditioning, sun exposure, or dry weather cause the skin to lose more moisture than usual.
- Using overly harsh skincare products such as exfoliating acids, alcohol-based products, or cleansers that strip the skin completely dry.
- Insufficient rest and low water intake, which affect the skin's natural repair system.
- Deficiency in essential skin vitamins such as Vitamins C, B, and E.
Normally, the skin has a natural moisture-retention system. However, when these factors accumulate, the skin begins to dry out, peel, and become more prone to irritation. Severity varies from person to person depending on baseline skin condition.
How Do You Fix Flaky, Peeling, Dry Skin?
Many people reach for moisturizer as a solution, but applying cream is only one step. Addressing dry skin requires working through it step by step as follows.
- Temporarily Pause Irritating Skincare Products Stop using AHA, BHA, or Retinol for now to allow the skin barrier to recover first.
- Hydrate with a Layered Approach Apply a hydrating toner first, then follow with a moisturizer containing Hyaluronic Acid or Ceramide to lock in moisture for longer.
- Increase Water Intake Drink about 1.5-2 liters of water per day to help the skin recover faster from within.
- Supplement with Vitamins Through both food and vitamin supplements to help restore the skin from within.
In general, if cared for correctly, flaking should improve within 5-7 days. If the condition is chronic or severe, a physician assessment is recommended.
How Do You Fix Flaky, Peeling, Dry Skin?
As mentioned in the previous section, another approach to fixing dry, flaky skin is to check whether any current skincare products are the culprit. You should temporarily stop using certain types of products to prevent further dryness and irritation, including:
- Facial Cleansers Containing SLS High SLS content cleanses too aggressively, stripping away moisture along with impurities and leaving skin feeling tight and dry after washing.
- High-Alcohol Skincare Products Alcohol causes moisture to evaporate from the skin more quickly. The more you use it, the drier your skin becomes — even if some products feel like they absorb fast and refresh at first.
- Strong Exfoliating Acids Such as AHA/BHA Using them too frequently when the skin is dry will further damage the skin barrier and increase irritation.
- Concentrated Retinol Without a Supporting Moisturizer Strong retinol without a moisture-locking product will cause the skin to peel and become increasingly dry.
The simple rule is: if a product causes stinging, tightness, or peeling, that is a sign the skin barrier is not ready. Give the skin a break first, then gradually reintroduce the product.
What Cream Is Best for Dry Skin?
For those with dry skin, choosing the right cream is essential. The simple principle is to choose a cream that focuses on hydrating, locking in moisture, and restoring skin all at once — not one that just feels hydrating at first only to dry out again.
- Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating the skin from within — an ingredient that helps retain water, leaving skin looking plump, soft, and radiant. However, it should be used together with a moisturizer to prevent moisture from evaporating.
- Ceramide Skin barrier repair — reinforces damaged skin structure to make it stronger and reduces water loss from the skin. Especially suitable for those whose dry skin leads to tightness or peeling.
- Glycerin Maintaining long-lasting moisture — a humectant that helps keep skin plump and hydrated for longer. Widely available, affordable, and highly effective.
- Niacinamide Restoring and strengthening — helps reduce inflammation, reinforces the skin barrier, and can also improve skin tone over the long term.
What Vitamins Does Dry Facial Skin Lack?
For those who want to restore healthy skin from within, vitamin supplementation is not something to overlook.
Dry skin is usually not caused by a deficiency in just one vitamin, but rather a combination of multiple vitamins that all play an important role in maintaining skin moisture. Most people with dry skin tend to be deficient in Vitamins A, C, E, and the B-complex group, each of which has different properties.
- Vitamin C stimulates collagen production and reduces free radicals, strengthening the skin and improving radiance.
- B-complex vitamins such as B3, B5, and B6 play a role in skin repair, reducing inflammation, and helping the skin retain moisture better.
- Vitamin E helps coat the skin and reduce moisture loss, making the skin softer.
- Vitamin A assists with skin cell turnover, but a deficiency or improper use can cause the skin to dry out.
Overall, dry skin is usually not caused by a single vitamin deficiency but a combination of multiple vitamins that all help maintain skin moisture. Restoring healthy skin should therefore address both nutrition and skincare together.
Is an IV Vitamin Drip Program Actually Better Than Taking Oral Vitamins?
When choosing a clinic for a skin IV vitamin program, the most important factors are the clinic's standards and credibility. Since IV vitamin drips deliver vitamins directly into the bloodstream, a substandard clinic may cause side effects. Key factors to consider include the following.
- Physician Assessment Required Before Every Session A good clinic must always have a specialist physician assess the client's physical condition and readiness before each session, as each person has different physiological conditions and limitations. Physician assessment reduces risk and improves safety.
- Choose a Properly Licensed Clinic A legally licensed medical facility has passed inspections and certifications, serving as a guarantee that the clinic or hospital operates under established medical standards.
- Formulas Tailored to Each Individual's Skin Condition A good clinic selects formulas suited to each individual's skin condition and specific needs. Even within the same skin vitamin drip program, results may vary depending on the formula used and the physician's diagnosis.
How Much Is MEGA CLINIC's Skin Vitamin Injection Program Per Session?
- 1 bottle 1,900 THB
- 3 bottles: 3,999 THB
- 5 bottles: 5,999 THB
- 10 bottles: 9,999 THB
- 15 bottles: 14,999 THB
- 26 bottles: 19,999 THB
Besides the IV Vitamin Skin Drip Program, What Other Treatments Are Available for Dry Skin?
For those who have been caring for their skin on their own for some time with no improvement, physician-guided treatments may be a more suitable option. These treatments restore the skin at a deeper level than self-care alone. Popular treatments for dry skin include the following.
Rejuran Program — Structural-Level Skin Repair
The Rejuran program uses PDRN extracted from salmon DNA to stimulate skin cell regeneration from within, making the skin stronger, thicker, and more elastic. It is ideal for those whose dry skin is caused by skin thinning.
How Many Sessions Are Needed?
Skinvive Program — Direct Hydration
The Skinvive program delivers Hyaluronic Acid directly into the skin layer, unlike topical creams that act only on the outer surface. This provides the skin with full hydration and a visibly plumper feel more quickly. Suitable for those with dehydrated skin who want clear, visible results.
Results After the Skinvive Injection Program
Choosing the right treatment depends on each individual's true underlying cause. Dry skin in different people can originate differently — some because of thin skin, others because of dehydration, or both. Consulting a physician to analyze and plan treatment suited to the actual skin condition is the most important step.
FAQ: Dry Facial Skin — What Vitamins Are Lacking, What Causes It, What to Use, and How to Restore Moisture
Q: What vitamins does severely dry facial skin lack?
A: Dry skin is often associated with a deficiency in Vitamins C, B, and E. Vitamin C helps stimulate collagen production and strengthens the skin; Vitamin E protects the skin from free radicals and maintains moisture; and Vitamin B, particularly B5, helps draw water into the skin and repair the skin barrier.
Q: How many days does it take for dry skin to recover?
A: With proper and consistent care, dry skin typically begins to improve within 5-7 days. However, the timeline may vary depending on skin condition, severity of symptoms, and the underlying cause. If there is no improvement after 1-2 weeks, a physician assessment is recommended.
Q: Does dry skin require treatment procedures?
A: Not necessarily. Most people can address dry skin by adjusting their skincare routine and nutrition. However, if self-care over time has not led to improvement, or if the condition is chronic and severe, treatments such as the Rejuran program, Skinvive program, or vitamin drip may be options that restore the skin at a deeper level.
Q: How many days after a skin vitamin drip will you see results?
A: Some people begin to notice their skin improving within 3-7 days after the drip. However, results depend on the vitamin formula used, current skin and body condition, and number of sessions. Physicians generally recommend multiple sessions for more noticeable and longer-lasting results.
Q: What moisturizer is best for dry skin?
A: Choose a moisturizer with key ingredients such as Hyaluronic Acid to draw water into the skin, Ceramide to repair the skin barrier, and Glycerin to lock in moisture. Also opt for a cream or balm texture over gel, as these provide heavier and longer-lasting hydration.
Q: Can you wear makeup when skin is dry and peeling?
A: It is recommended to avoid makeup while the skin is dry and peeling. Certain makeup products can clog pores or increase irritation, and applying makeup on flaky skin leads to uneven application. Wait for the skin to recover before resuming normal makeup use.
Q: How much water should you drink per day for dry skin?
A: You should aim to drink about 1.5-2 liters of water per day. Adequate hydration helps the body and skin receive moisture from within, promotes faster skin recovery, and enhances the effectiveness of skincare products and vitamins.
MEGA CLINIC has multiple locations covering key areas in Bangkok and nearby provinces:
- MEGA CLINIC Siam Square (Bangkok)
BTS Siam, located at the open area near Inter Restaurant Parking available in front of the clinic - MEGA CLINIC Central WestGate (Nonthaburi)
MRT Talad Bang Yai, located on 2nd floor, Central Westgate (Central zone) - MEGA CLINIC Central Ladprao (Bangkok)
BTS Ha Yaek Lat Phrao / MRT Phahon Yothin Located on 9th floor, Central Ladprao (Use Entrance C elevator) - MEGA CLINIC Future Park Rangsit (Pathum Thani)
Located on G floor, Future Rangsit (Robinson zone, next to Watsons) - MEGA CLINIC Pak Nam BTS Srinagarindra (Samut Prakarn)
BTS Srinagarindra, next to Exit 4 staircase Parking available in front of the clinic
If you want healthier skin but aren’t sure where to start, you can book a free consultation with our doctors. There’s no charge. Just contact us via LINE Official: @megaclinic (with @) or click the green button below to add us on LINE.
Reference:
8 Common Signs You're Deficient in Vitamins and Minerals from healthline.com
8 Common Signs You're Deficient in Vitamins and Minerals from healthline.com