What causes skin to become unhealthy and lose its glow? Healthy skin is itself a barrier against skin infections. Healthy skin is one which is neither too oily nor too dry. The former blocks the pores and is responsible for skin infections like acne and blackheads; which finally result in ugly scars. As for dry skin it loses elasticity and gets wrinkled earlier; and if cracked too it is more susceptible to infections. Inadequate or improper hydration causes skin to lose its glow. Moreover as we age the basic health of our skin takes a toll. The outermost layer of the skin thins out; newer cells develop slowly; dead cells accumulate.