Why is my skin dry?

[Mr. PC]

No, I didn't mean washing myself, sorry. I just meant, when I'm putting oil on my face, and my face is already clean, is it better for my skin to use no water when the only available water in chlorinated tap water. I also get the dry, peeling skin on the side of my nose.

[RRM]

yes

[Emeira]

could diet that's too low in fat cause dry skin?

[RRM]

could diet that's too low in fat cause dry skin?

No.
Sebum is produced by the skin.
Sebum contains fatty acids, which may be produced endogenously, from sugars or protein, for example.
Dry skin may be caused by overexposure to water, sunlight, chemicals etc.,
or by the pinching off of sebum canals, blocking the flow of sebum to the surface of the skin.

[Emeira]

or by the pinching off of sebum canals, blocking the flow of sebum to the surface of the skin.

So, could it be that 'dirty' protein attracts water in the skin and pinches the sebum canals?

[RRM]

So, could it be that 'dirty' protein attracts water in the skin and pinches the sebum canals?

Yes. Hydrophilic compounds (such as hard-to-degrade proteins) may cause (localized) water retention.
The resulting increase in water pressure may pinch off sebum canals.
If the production of sebum is high, this may result in acne.
Studies found positive correlations between facial edema and acne.

People with acne often have a 'mixed skin condition'; both dry and oily patches.
That is because the skin tries to counteract the localized lack of sebum reaching the surface of the skin by increasing the production of sebum and oil, to prevent the skin from dehydrating too much.