Having a dry skin can be unpleasant. It’s dry to the touch and a you always have a feeling of tightness which is quite annoying. If you have dry skin you have to give it an extra care so your skin can be gentle, soft and smooth to the touch.
A lot of people are affected by the problem called dry skin and they often complain how dry their face is. But dry skin can also occur on the lower part of the legs like knees, ankles and feet, also on the hands and sometimes on the thighs and abdomen.
Dry skin can be hereditary, can be a consequence of aging or it can be caused by an illness or some medications. But there are also external factors that can lead to the appearance of dry skin like bathing in hot water, using strong soaps and gels, not using moisturizer, long stay in a room that’s too hot and dry, windy and cold weather etc.
There are many things that you can do to keep your dry skin soft and healthy. Some of them are using good natural moisturizer and pampering your skin with homemade moisturizing face masks. But here are few more tips on how to take care of dry skin:
How to Take Care of Dry Skin – Tips & Tricks
How to take care of dry skin – Tip #1
Remember to moisturize your skin. Moisturizing cream and body butter or lotion will create a barrier that doesn’t allow the skin to lose its moisture. The best way to apply moisturizer and body butter is to apply them 3-5 minutes after showering while your skin is still damp. This way you’ll trap some of the moisture and your skin will stay moisturized throughout the day.
How to take care of dry skin – Tip #2
Don;t take long hot showers. Hot water can quickly strip your natural oils that moisturize your skin. The same thing happens when you spend a long time in a hot bath. Try to limit the duration of your shower to 10 minutes a day and shower with warm or lukewarm water.
How to take care of dry skin – Tip #3
Don’t use harsh soaps. Harsh soaps and detergents can seriously damage your skin. Use gentle soaps and shower gels that have moisturizing properties. Take special care when choosing a hand soap, because you use it many times during the day. Also choose a dishwashing detergent and cleaning products carefully.
How to take care of dry skin – Tip #4
Be gentle when using face or body scrub. Moisturizing cream is very effective if you apply it to exfoliated skin that’s free of dry dead skin cells. However, don’t overdo it with the scrub, because it can dry out and irritate your skin when used too often. Use face and body scrub once a week. Also when drying your skin, avoid rubbing it with a rough towel, because it’ll irritate your skin. Lightly pat dry your skin with a soft towel and leave it slightly damp.
How to take care of dry skin – Tip #5
Don’t use bath sponges, brushes or loofahs that are too harsh. It’s best to avoid using sponges or loofah for bathing because the friction can lead to skin damage. But if you want to use bath sponges, choose very soft sponge and use it very gently, without putting rubbing your skin too much.
How to take care of dry skin – Tip #6
Don’t shave without softening your skin and hair first. Shaving can further irritate your dry skin. It’s best to shave in the shower, when your skin and hair is soft. Be sure to use shaving cream or shaving gel, and leave it for three minutes before you start shaving and always shave in the direction of hair growth. Also don’t use blunt razor and change it after few uses. Old blunt razors can irritate your dry skin even more.
How to take care of dry skin – Tip #7
Use sun protection. The sun damages the skin and it can lose its ability to keep the moisture locked in. Apply moisturizing sunscreen 30 minutes before you go out and expose your skin to sunlight. Also, don’t forget to use sunscreen in winter, because the winter sun can also cause skin damage.
How to take care of dry skin – Tip #8
Don’t heat your home too much. Excessive heating of your home reduces the air humidity and dries the skin. It’s better to maintain a normal temperature in your home and to allow the air to circulate. Another solution is to use air humidifiers that will keep the air humidity normal.
How to take care of dry skin – Tip #9
Drink plenty of water. This is probably something that you hear every day, but it’s important to drink a lot of water to keep your body and skin hydrated. Drink at least eight glasses of water daily to keep your skin and body well hydrated.
How to take care of dry skin – Tip #10
Eat foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids. One of the symptoms that can indicate that your body needs more omega-3 fatty acids is the appearance of dry skin. Omega-3 fatty acids can reinforce the skin barrier that keep the natural oils sealed in. Excellent sources of omega-3 fatty acids are salmon, sardines, flaxseed and nuts.
How to take care of dry skin – Tip #11
Wear clothing made of natural materials. Choose cotton clothes, because they will allows your skin to breathe, while wool and synthetic clothing can cause itching and skin irritation.
