Nearly half of people living with diabetes experience problems with dry skin. In individuals with impaired glycemic regulation, the body draws fluid out of cells in order to produce enough urine to eliminate excess sugar. This process leads to dry and damaged skin, and this unpleasant condition represents far more than just an aesthetic concern. Fortunately, there are solutions that can help prevent skin complications.
Dry skin occurs due to impaired delivery of nutrients to the skin, and its appearance may also indicate certain undiagnosed metabolic diseases, primarily diabetes and kidney disease. It is well known that the appearance of our skin largely reflects the internal state of the body, which is why skin changes are often among the first signs of certain disorders. The skin is also a good indicator of overall psychophysical health. Therefore, it is not surprising that nearly half of people with diabetes suffer from dry skin. Although this skin condition is often considered merely a cosmetic issue, it is unfortunately much more than that.
Why Do People with Diabetes Develop Skin Problems?
In individuals with impaired glycemic control, the body extracts fluid from cells to produce sufficient urine for removing excess glucose, which leads to dry and damaged skin. Such skin is prone to itching, redness, inflammation, and flaking, and may also develop as a consequence of poor circulation — another common feature in people with diabetes. Since the dermal layers of the skin are richly supplied with blood vessels, nerves, sweat glands, and sebaceous glands, elevated glucose levels can damage the dermis. For this reason, a proper skincare routine is as important for people with diabetes as managing the disease itself.
In people with diabetes, a weakened skin barrier function may also compromise the immune system, significantly increasing the risk of cuts and wounds that are susceptible to infection. It is important to understand that regular and thorough skincare can improve skin condition — not only making it look healthier, but also significantly reducing the risk of infections.
People with diabetes should pay particular attention to the composition of skincare products they use. Dermatologists recommend relying on proven, clinically and dermatologically tested ingredients that provide intensive care for damaged skin and help prevent further skin-related health complications.
Scientifically Proven Medical Skincare
Among the most effective products for dry skin care is the Eucerin UreaRepair PLUS product line. The key ingredient in this medical skincare range is urea — a natural humectant whose role is to maintain skin hydration and prevent further moisture loss. Urea binds water in the upper layer of the skin and, due to its keratolytic properties, promotes the shedding of dead skin cells. As a natural component of the skin, urea is highly tolerated by individuals with extremely dry skin, as well as by people with diabetes and/or psoriasis.
The recommended concentration of urea (5%, 10%, or 30%) in skincare products should be determined by a dermatovenereology specialist, depending on the location and clinical appearance of skin changes. The wide range of Eucerin products with different urea concentrations, specifically designed for various parts of the body, allows therapy to be tailored to the current condition of the skin and enables an individualized approach to skincare for each person with diabetes.
Due to its effectiveness, the Eucerin UreaRepair PLUS line is considered the gold standard in dry skin care and is recommended by as many as 95% of dermatologists.
Our recommendation for people with diabetes is the use of Eucerin UreaRepair ORIGINAL Cleansing Fluid combined with UreaRepair PLUS Body Lotion with 10% urea and ceramides, as well as Eucerin UreaRepair PLUS Foot Cream with 10% urea.
The Eucerin products mentioned are available in many countries worldwide, and you can find yours on select.eucerin.com.
If you’re interested, you can also read our article I’m allergic to insulin — the one thing I can’t live without. What now?
