80% of your skin is typically inherited. If people in your family generally have dryer skin, then chances are your natural levels of skin hydration is inherited. Although there's nothing you can do about genetics, keeping consistently hydrated with a lightweight moisturizer can prevent most dry skin problems.

Your environment may be a cause of your dry skin. Pollutants and dry air can suck the moisture out of your skin, which is why it's important to replenish lost moisture using a lightweight moisturizer, while also getting enough water intake everyday. A travel-sized moisturizer can be very handy and worth looking into if you tend to be in environments with dry air.

You may be using too many products in your daily routine. The more products used, the more there's a chance of breaking down the skin's protective layer, known as the acid mantle, which helps to lock in moisture. Try reducing the amount of skincare products in your daily routine to the essentials: cleanser,moisturizer, SPF and serums.

Certain medications, both topical and oral, can cause dry skin, as they lower the skin's moisture levels. Talk with your doctor if you are experiencing severe dryness from these medications, but if the dryness is mild, having a hydrating skincare routine with a good lightweight moisturizer will usually be more than sufficient to curb flaky, dry skin.