Dealing with dry skin in three easy steps
As the winter seasons approach us many people have to deal with their skin losing its moisture and finding ways to deal with dry and itchy skin. Dry skin gives your skin a parched look because of its inability to retain moisture. If you find yourself with fine pores, dryness, and cracked skin, here are some tips to dealing with dry skin in three easy steps.
Step 1: Wash right
One of the very first things you need to check is what kind of body wash or soap are you using. There are several different choices when it comes to finding the right kind of soap. This is especially important if you have dry to extremely dry skin. Many soap bars, especially ones with anti-bacterial ingredients will actually dry your skin out faster than others. Liquid body washes and gels are better for your skin and will help it retain more of the needed moisture, especially during the cold winter months. Some products will sell body washes, as well as soaps that have added moisturizers in them. A couple that come to mind are "Dove" or "Oil of Olay." Washing right is the first step to keeping your skin hydrated and healthy.
|
|
Another part of washing right is the shampoo and conditioners you use. Although you're using it on your hair, your scalp is a big part of your skin and it can lose moisture just as easily as the rest of your body. Again, stay away from anti-bacterial washes and stick to the all natural shampoos and conditioners.
Step 2: It's all about moisturizing
After you have take the necessary steps in washing right and finding the best body wash for your skin condition, you need to combine all that with a good moisturizing lotion that will hydrate the skin instead of take the moisture away. And with so many different kinds out there it can be confusing. There are several inexpensive moisturizers on the market that often times surpass the expensive ones when it comes to quality. In order to find the best one for your skin you should be looking at the ingredients on the bottle, not the brand name. Here are some tips to making the most out of the moisturizer you use on your skin:
- Apply the moisturizer to damp skin right after cleaning it. When you apply the moisturizer to wet skin it helps to lock in the moisture and prevent it from evaporating off your skin. Applying the lotion to the driest parts of your skin immediately after you shower is the best way to keep the moisture trapped in your body.
- Find a moisturizer that isn't water based. Water based moisturizers will actually leave your skin feeling dryer than it was to begin with. Some moisturizers are made with natural products which will help keep the skin healthy and hydrated. Stay away from products that contain mineral oils as they will not.
- A good moisturizer will not need to be re-applied every 10 minutes. If your skin is really dry then you might want to buy a cream instead of a lotion.
Step 3: Take care of your skin
Now that you have spent all this time choosing the right body wash and body moisturizers you need to remember to take care of your skin so that it will continue to look and feel great. Don't over expose yourself to the sun, wear sunscreen, and remember to take care of yourself. Your skin will thank you for it some day.
