Skin Care: How to Care for Dry Skin

When browsing the grocery or drug store for facial and body care products, you will find plenty of skin care products intended for normal, oily, or dry skin. If you have normal skin, consider yourself fortunate. You likely experience few breakouts. On the other hand, individuals with oily skin may have to wash their face throughout the day and adopt a skin care regimen which prevents blemishes.

Individuals who suffer from dry skin are in a class by themselves. Unlike persons with oily skin, if your skin is dry, retaining moisture is extremely difficult. This is especially true during the winter months or after washing the face. Because of excessive dryness, some people suffer from rough or scaly skin. Fortunately, there are solutions to effectively combat this problem. Here are a few quick tips for helping your body retain its natural moisture.

1. Drink Plenty of Fluids

One key element of dealing with dry skin entails making sure that your body is hydrated. Everyone understands the importance of drinking enough fluids. Without drinking, the body will quickly dehydrate. Instead of relying on sugary juices, coffee, or soda’s for hydration, trade in the caffeine for water. If possible, attempt to drink at least eight glasses a day.

2. Limit the Number of Daily Baths

During the summer months, some people have a habit of washing their face several times throughout the day. However, if you suffer from dry skin, bathing more than once daily can further irritate skin. For this matter, limit the number of face washing to two daily: once in the morning and evening. Moreover, individuals with dry skin should only take one bath or shower daily.

3. Stay Away from Soaps

Although some people have a routine of washing their bodies with soap, the harsh ingredients may cause skin to dry easily. When selecting soap, pick brands that are specially formulated for dry skin. This also applies when choosing shower gels. In most cases, these cleansing products have special moisture-locking ingredients.

4. Proper Way to Dry Skin

After a shower or bath, rubbing the skin dry is a natural inclination. Because many bath oils include essential skin lubricates which promote moisture. A good technique for locking in moisture entails patting the skin dry, as opposed to rubbing.

5. Apply Lotion to Wet Skin

If you have dry skin, it is vital to select oils or lotions that are specially formulated for dry skin. For best results, apply moisturizer products to damp skin.

6. See a Dermatologist

If your skin is unable to retain moisture, or you begin suffering from severely cracked or chaffed skin, it is wise to consult a skin doctor or dermatologist. In this instance, you may have an underlying skin condition that will require a stronger or prescription strength moisturizer.